For more than 20 years, OCF’s Community Grants program, with strong support of OCF donors, has invested in strengthening the social fabric of our communities. In 2021, Community Grants w

ill continue to support our communities with a sharpened focus on the most pressing challenges Oregon is facing today: the impact of COVID-19, systemic racism and racial injustice, wildfires and the underinvestment and lack of infrastructure in under-resourced rural and marginalized communities across our state. This funding opportunity recognizes that deeply entrenched inequities mean that our current challenges – and resulting traumas – are disproportionately impacting some populations and communities. Our 2021 Community Grants program is an interim approach. We anticipate a longer-term approach will emerge in 2022, based on what we learn about evolving community needs. We look forward to partnering with organizations and communities across Oregon in the year ahead and sharing your needs with OCF donors. Please review the following information carefully as the types of funding available, funding priorities and other Community Grant program details for 2021 differ from past years. 2021 Program Goals To provide an open, responsive grantmaking program that offers organizations flexible types of support, with prioritized support for those communities most disproportionately impacted by the multiple crises in Oregon. Guiding Principles

• We value Oregon’s diverse regions and populations, and we seek to advance equity, diversity and inclusion through our funding

• We are committed to funding across Oregon with grant dollars reaching our remote, rural, suburban and urban communities across every region of our state.

• We give high priority to investments that are strengths-based and create positive, substantive change

• We prioritize investments that demonstrate strong community support, solid planning and wise stewardship

• We believe that impactful, creative and sustainable solutions come from people closest to the issues being addressed and implemented by organizations trusted by the community

Funding Priorities for 2021 We know that funding needs will far exceed our limited grant dollars. While a broad range of organizations are eligible to apply, we will prioritize funding in support of the following populations disproportionately impacted by inequities exacerbated by racial and social injustice, COVID-19 and/or wildfires:

• Black, Indigenous, Latinx and people of color

• Immigrants and/or refugees

• People experiencing disabilities

• People living on low incomes

• People living in under-resourced communities and/or communities lacking critical infrastructure

• People who are homeless/unsheltered

• People who identify as LGBTQIA+

• Survivors of domestic violence and/or child abuse

Application Details Please review the Program Guidelines, FAQ and application questions prior to preparing and submitting an application.

FUNDS AVAILABLE In 2021, Community Grants anticipates awarding at least $5 million, boosted by donor advised funds. We aim to fund a mix of proposals in communities across Oregon and anticipate funding organizations working in a range of fields and addressing an array of challenges.

TIMELINE We will offer two opportunities to apply for a Community Grant in 2021: Spring Cycle – Accepting applications December 15, 2020 through February 1, 2021 at 5 p.m., with decisions by early May 2021

• Early Bird Submissions: All applicants who submit before 5 pm on January 18, 2021 will be entered into a drawing to receive one of two $2,500 grants for general operating support

• As part of the decision-making process, applicants may be contacted for additional information or a virtual site visit during March

Fall Cycle – Timeline TBA (deadline summer 2021 with decisions by early November 2021) GRANT TYPES AND AMOUNTS Three types of funding will be offered. Because community conditions are in a state of significant transition, all grants will be one year in duration.

TYPES OF FUNDING FOR 2021ELIGIBLE APPLICANTSFUNDING AMOUNT

GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT – UNRESTRICTED FUNDING TO SUPPORT AN ORGANIZATION IN CARRYING OUT ITS MISSION▪ CULTURALLY SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS LOCATED ANYWHERE IN OREGON AND OF ANY BUDGET SIZE ▪ RURAL-BASED NONPROFITS WITH ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGETS OF $100,000 OR LESS AND WHOSE WORK ALIGNS WITH OCF’S PRIORITIES FOR THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITYUP TO $20,000

CAPACITY BUILDING – TO HELP STRENGTHEN AND STABILIZE AN ORGANIZATION’S GOVERNANCE OR OPERATIONSOPEN TO ALL TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONSUP TO $40,000; $20,000 AVERAGE GRANT SIZEPROJECT/PROGRAM GRANTS – TO ADAPT OR EXPAND EXISTING PROJECTS/PROGRAMS OR DEVELOP NEW PROJECTS/PROGRAMS TO RESPOND TO CURRENT COMMUNITY CHALLENGESOPEN TO ALL TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONSUP TO $40,000; $20,000 AVERAGE GRANT SIZEApplication Process For the spring cycle, the application window opens December 15, 2020, and applications are due February 1, 2021, at 5 p.m., with decisions made by early May 2021. Online applications are accepted through MyOCF. Please note renewal applicants (organizations previously invited to reapply to the Community Grants Program for continuation of funded activities) will be emailed instructions directly to reapply through a new and separate process. To preview the list of application questions, please visit here. Important! In an effort to expand access to more avenues of funding at OCF, organizations who choose not to submit a Community Grants application are invited to share their current needs with donors by completing this Organizational Profile Tool. Organizations that apply for a Community Grant will automatically have information about their proposal shared with OCF donors. We encourage applicants to provide clear and complete project descriptions to support donor connections. Questions? Please see the FAQ section at the bottom of the 2021 Community Grants page. For questions about the program and submitting a competitive application, please contact the program officer in your region (see second-to-last question in FAQ). For technical assistance in preparing and submitting the online application (application window opens December 15), please email grants@oregoncf.org.