Oregon Community Foundation

A non-profit community organization of Oregon
  • Portland, Oregon
Area served
OregonMethodDonations and Grants
Key people
Lane Shetterly, Board Chair
Lisa Mensah, President and CEO[1]EndowmentUS$3.4 billion (2022)[2]Websitewww.oregoncf.org

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) is a non-profit organization with a mission to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy.[3]

It is the sixth largest community foundation in the United States as ranked by asset size in U.S. dollars as of 2022.[4] It is the largest grant maker in the metropolitan area of Portland, Oregon.[5] OCF serves the entire state of Oregon through its offices located in Portland, Bend, Eugene, Medford and Salem.

In 2024, Oregon Community Foundation announced what it called a $52 million “love letter” to arts and culture, organizations in partnership with the James F. And Marion L. Miller Foundation and the State of Oregon.

Programs and Initiatives

OCF is known for its major statewide initiatives, which include:

Project Turnkey

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Oregon's housing crisis, OCF launched Project Turnkey in 2020. This initiative converts motels and hotels into emergency housing for individuals experiencing homelessness and those displaced by natural disasters, including wildfires.[6] Funded with $65 million from the Oregon Legislature, Project Turnkey created over 800 units of housing in the state.[7]

COVID-19 Response and Relief

During the COVID-19 pandemic, OCF established the Oregon Community Recovery Fund, which provided immediate relief to nonprofits and community organizations. The fund distributed over $70 million in grants, supporting organizations that provide critical services such as healthcare, housing, and food security.[8]

Wildfire Relief

In the wake of Oregon’s catastrophic 2020 wildfires, OCF launched the Community Rebuilding Fund, raising over $20 million to assist communities in recovery and rebuilding efforts. OCF partnered with organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Meyer Memorial Trust to support long-term recovery, particularly in rural areas.[9]

See also

  • Community foundation

References

  1. ^ Rogers, Jules (June 30, 2022). "Lisa Mensah takes on leadership role at Oregon Community Foundation". Portland Tribune. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  2. ^ "Candid CF Insights: Survey Results". Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  3. ^ "Home » Oregon Community Foundation". Oregon Community Foundation. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  4. ^ "Candid CF Insights: Survey Results". Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  5. ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/subscriber-only/2023/11/17/largest-grant-making-foundations-in-the-portland-metro-area.html
  6. ^ Bentley, Kurt (April 6, 2021). "Project Turnkey opens its doors in Medford". KOBI News.
  7. ^ "Project Turnkey Progress Report". Oregon Community Foundation. December 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  8. ^ Griffin, Anna (July 10, 2021). "Oregon Community Foundation helps small nonprofits survive pandemic's hardships". OPB.
  9. ^ Boone, Jerry (September 15, 2020). "Foundation aims to raise $20M for wildfire relief in Oregon". The Oregonian.
  • Oregon Community Foundation Official Site
  • Community: How Our Work Happens at OCF
  • Oregon Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani performs FORWARD at the 2024 Oregon Community Foundation Annual Meeting
  • After a year, OCF president CEO Lisa Mensah looks forward
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International
  • VIAF
National
  • United States