Last month Pinnacle attended a grantmakers panel to learn more about The Ford Family Foundation, The Collins Foundation, and St. Charles Health Systems Foundation. We share our notes about the over $30 million in grants these organizations contribute every year. Can your project benefit? Let us know how we can help!

The Ford Family Foundation (Different from the Ford Foundation!)

  • Established by Kenneth and Hallie Ford
  • Located in Roseburg, Scholarship office in Eugene
  • Serves Oregon and Siskiyou County, CA
  • Serves Rural, 35k population or fewer communities
  • Approx. $20 million a year in grants are awarded
  • Mission: Successful Citizens; Vital Rural Communities
  • Focus on Children, Education, Arts, Engagement, Economy, Community
  • Types:
    • Program Area Grants: Early Childhood Development, Youth Development and Education, Access to Health and Dental, Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention, Community Building Spaces (Programmatic, Operating, Capital, Single-Year, Multi-Year), Average grant size is $50,000; award sizes ranged from $500 to $5000,000.
    • Good Neighbor Grants: short-term for simple projects, unforeseen emergencies that interrupt services, and one-off events or activities. Up to $10k, competitive and limited, do not cover 100% of the project. Run out at end of the calendar year (so apply early!).
    • Technical Assistance Grants: assist in developing leadership expertise, engaging in planning efforts, or advance collaboration. Help fund hiring of a consultant with specialized expertise. Up to $5k, 20% cash match required, consultants work with the group (does not DO the work).
  • Insider tips:
    • Evidence of significant community support
    • Request less than 1/3 of project costs
    • Capital: 50% raised
    • Program: significant progress and history of raising project budget
    • Evidence of need, strong plan, measure success
    • If accumulating debt, have a plan to pay off
  • Steps for applying:
  1. Read information online and determine if you meet the guidelines.
  2. Make sure organization and project are eligible
  3. Read the FAQ and Tips, review all other information provided online
  4. Contact the headquarters to discuss the project
  5. Apply online
  • No deadlines. Reviewed once a week by a team of 5-6 and then passed on to the board. Typically, a 6-8 week response time.
  • Contact: Keavy Cook, kcook@tfff.org, 541-957-5574, website

 

The Collins Foundation

  • Established by Truman W. Collins Sr. and other members of the family of E.S. Collins
  • Located in Portland
  • Serves Oregon
  • Approx. $10 million a year in grants are awarded
  • Mission: Equitable Future
  • Focus on health, social services, education, housing, and employment
  • Types:
    • General Funder (All types of projects!), average grant is $35,000, award sizes ranged from $5,000 for a one-time project at a small organization to $750,000 for a large, three-year capital campaign. Capital projects should have 35-50% of the funds already committed.
    • Special collaborative grant for immigrant & refugee. The Collins Foundation, MRG Foundation, The Meyer Memorial Trust, and The Oregon Community Foundation teamed up to offer this grant (Joint Review). No deadlines. Priority is for programs or projects that directly address those impacted by policies implemented after November 2016. See more here.
  • Insider tips:
    • They want to hear from new organizations.
    • Must show how the program or projects fit into their mission of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
    • Describe your community, who you serve, what the situations is in your community, challenges of your community and how you can help. (Basically, tell them your story!)
    • They value multiple organizations collaborating.
    • Most funds go towards programs, some granted to capital improvements.
  • Steps for applying:
  1. Read information online and determine if you meet the guidelines.
  2. Contact the Foundation to ensure it’s aligned with their interests.
  3. Download the application to apply.
  • Deadlines are February 1, April 1, June 1, August 1, September 15, December 1. Reviewed six times a year by the trustees. The trustees read all applications. Typically, a 6-month response time.
  • Contact: Sara Yada, Program Officer, syada@collinsfoundation.org, 503-227-7171, website

 

St. Charles Health System Foundation

  • Established by St. Charles Health System
  • Located in Bend
  • Serves Bend, Redmond, Prineville, and Madras
  • Mission: Creating America’s healthiest community, together
  • Focus on health
  • Types:
    • Community Benefit Grant – Suicide Prevention (programs, research, etc.), sign up for updates on their website as the deadline and information haven’t been published yet.
    • Community Benefit Grant – Safety Net. Covers hunger relief, prevent homelessness (shelters, permanent supportive housing, training), breaking the cycle of poverty (education), the deadline is June 30 with a response by mid-July. The range of grants is $5,000-10,000, no suggested percentage of funds already committed.
    • Community Sponsorship – given to nonprofits that complement the St. Charles Mission. These are given to groups, events, etc. to promote St. Charles Health Systems. Health-related projects are given priority. Deadlines are Feb. 1 (notification Feb. 28), May 1 (notification May 31), Aug. 1 (notification Aug. 31), Nov. 1 (notification Nov. 30)
  • Insider tips:
    • For Community Benefit Grants, they select a focus area for a three-year period. 2017-2019 is focused on Suicide Prevention and Safety Net (hunger relief, prevent homelessness, breaking the cycle of poverty). Sign up on their website for future updates on the suicide prevention grant as it hasn’t been published yet.
  • Steps for applying:
  1. Contact Carlos at the Foundation to vet the project
  2. Apply online

Have questions? Contact Jessica.

Jessica Biel is Business Development Director at Pinnacle Architecture. Jessica brings over 15 years of experience in strategic marketing and content development at global architecture firms. She’s passionate about learning everything she can about her client’s business, their struggles, and what makes them shout with joy. Through research and developing educational content, Jessica helps communicate the benefits of good architectural design that enhance lives and communities. Jessica can be reached at 541.388.9897×16 or Jessica@Parch.Biz.