Kids Unlimited in Medford received $25,000 to support the Cuisine 4 Change program expansion.

Nonprofit projects and programs in Southern Oregon received a $545,000 boost from the 2024 fall cycle of Community Grants from the Oregon Community Foundation. 

The statewide funder distributed 26 new grants in Southern Oregon to support capacity building, small capital and new or expanding projects, according to a press release.

Statewide, the new round of funding includes 248 grants for nearly $5.8 million, bringing the total awarded in community grants by OCF to a record $11.1 million for the year, including funding previously announced in the spring.

“Community Grants are OCF’s ‘open door’ for nonprofits working to improve the lives of people in Southern Oregon in so many ways,” said OCF board member and United Way of Jackson County CEO and Executive Director Dee Anne Everson. “Sometimes, that’s wildfire resilience programs or a kitchen that serves kids in need. And other times, what’s needed is a vehicle that helps a program reach rural communities. The goal is to support what’s working.”

As the new funding reaches Oregon nonprofits, OCF has opened the next round of community grants to be distributed in spring 2025. The deadline is Jan. 14, 2025. During this round, the foundation will prioritize rural organizations that serve communities of 35,000 people or fewer, and that have operating expenses of less than $250,000. The foundation will give preference to culturally specific organizations that aim to create inclusivity. Find details here.

Find the full statewide list of fall 2024 grantees here.

Selected Southern Oregon grants

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley, Grants Pass, $25,000

To renovate the kitchen at the Grants Pass location.

“Since 1970, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley has been a constant in the lives of children and teens, remaining committed to doing whatever it takes to support the youth in our communities,” said Alison Cavaner, director of resource development and marketing “Our mission is to empower young people by providing safe spaces where they can thrive.

“A key part of this effort is serving nutritious meals, which is crucial for the well-being of our club members,” Cavaner said. “With over 76% of the youth we serve coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, many face food insecurity. By providing healthy meals, we help reduce this burden, lower stress, and give kids the chance to simply be kids.”

Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative, Jacksonville, $20,000

To expand wildfire resilience education and outreach programming.

“Most of my students reside in underserved, fire-prone areas, such as Gold Hill and the wildland urban interface of Central Point,” said Caroline Burdick, a science teacher at Crater High School. “Not only has the FireBright program provided my students with career mentoring and field work experience, it has also prepared them to be more adapted and prepared for wildfire and smoke.”

All other Southern Oregon grants

• Ashland Climate Collaborative, to hire an outreach specialist to deepen connections with social service and healthcare agencies, Ashland, $15,000.
• Ashland.news, to hire a development director, Ashland, $25,000
• Douglas Education Service District, to expand child care availability in Klamath and Lake counties, Roseburg, $25,000
• Habitat for Humanity-Rogue Valley in Medford, for the Williamson Way Housing project to construct two homes in Ashland, $10,000
• HOPE Equestrian Center, to upgrade the outdoor riding areas and fencing, Eagle Point, $25,000
• Illinois Valley 2010 Community Response Team, to support community-led strategic planning, Cave Junction, $25,000
• Jackson County SART, to expand the Survivor Care Program to include domestic violence survivors ages 15 and older, Ashland, $20,000
• Josephine Community Library District, to support the Computer Basics program and connect more Josephine County residents with technology services, Grants Pass, $20,000
• Kids Unlimited, to support the Cuisine 4 Change program expansion, Medford $25,000
• Klamath Outdoor Science School, to build a yurt for teacher housing at the camp, Klamath Falls, $15,000
• Lutheran Community Services Northwest of Seattle, for roof and parking lot repairs at the Eldorado location in Klamath Falls, $20,000
• Mt. Ashland Association, to construct new terrain and night lighting for the new Lithia Chair lift, Ashland $20,000
• OnTrack Inc. of Medford, for a fence at the Women’s Transitional Recovery House in Central Point, $15,000
• Opportunities for Housing, Resources & Assistance, to expand the OHRA Center’s campus, including the Human Service Annex and mobile unit area, Ashland, $20,000
• Oregon Agricultural Trust of Salem, to hire a staff member to serve Klamath, Lake and Douglas counties, thereby expanding land protection services, $20,000
• Project Youth+ of Grants Pass, to expand the “Whatever It Takes” program to Crater High School in Central Point, $20,000
• REACH Inc., to purchase a vehicle for the Recycling and Landscaping Programs, Klamath Falls, $25,000
• Rogue Retreat, to renovate the new men’s haven housing, Medford, $20,000
• Rogue Valley Family YMCA, to expand child care by preparing and furnishing an additional classroom at the North Medford High School facility, Medford, $25,000
• Rogue Valley Mentoring, to provide mental health/mentoring services for Jackson County youths, Medford, $20,000
• Solid Ground Equine Assisted Activities and Therapy Center, to support staff training and certification that will lead to expanded programming, Klamath Falls, $25,000
• Southern Oregon Child and Family Council Inc., to support Listo in developing a new evaluation framework for its family literacy programs, Central Point, $25,000
• Youth Era of Eugene, to remodel the Medford Drop in Jackson County and create safe, private spaces for recovery support, $15,000
• Youth Rising, to expand the drop-in programs in Klamath Falls, $25,000

Regional totals

• Southern Oregon: $545,000

• Central Oregon: $394,562

• Southern Willamette Valley: $965,200

• South Coast: $206,000

• Eastern Oregon: $322,617

• Portland Metro: $2,349,889

• North Coast $265,806

• Northern Willamette Valley: $700,000

• Out of state: $40,000

To learn more, visit oregoncf.org.