Grand Ronde, Ore. – The Spirit Mountain Community Fund (SMCF) awarded 37 grants totaling $1,497,000 in their third quarter funding cycle. Grant funds were awarded during a check presentation at the Grand Ronde Governance Center on September 13, 2023.
During the check presentation, the Community Fund awarded 10 small grants worth $65,000, 15 large grants worth $707,000 and seven Tribal grants worth $700,000. Additionally, $25,000 in annual Youth Grantmaking grants were awarded at a special check presentation in late-August by the Community Fund’s summer youth interns.
Among the nonprofits to receive grants from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund this quarter were:
- Benton County: CASA-Voices for Children – $5,000 (youth grant); Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence – $5,000 (youth grant)
- Clackamas County: Bloomin’ Boutique – $7,500; Neurotherapeutic Pediatrictherapies, Inc. – $50,000
- Lane County: A Family for Every Child – $5,000 (youth grant); Center For Community Counseling – $7,500; Connecting from the Heart – $3,000; Kindred Matters – $4,000; Network Charter School – $7,500; Oregon Mind Body Institute – $10,000; Reality Kitchen Nonprofit – $30,000; St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc. – $100,000; Solid Strides – $7,500
- Lincoln County: Hearts with a Mission – $5,000 (youth grant);Hearts with a Mission – $50,000; Yakona Learning Center – $62,000
- Linn County: Ophelia’s Place – $50,000
- Marion County: Transformations by Salem Angels – $20,000; Unlock the Arts – $7,500; Willamette Riverkeeper – $5,000 (youth grant)
- Multnomah County: AC Portland – $35,000; CASA for Children – $50,000; Open School, Inc. – $50,000; Oregon Native American Chamber – $50,000; Vision to Learn – $75,000; Admire Teachers – $6,000; Multicultural Integrated Kidney Education Program – $7,000
- Tillamook County: Neskowin Valley School – $7,500
- Washington County: Adelante Mujeres – $50,000; Family Justice Center of Washington County – $25,000
The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon is committed to honoring the Tribal traditions of sharing and giving back. In 1997, through a formal compact agreement between the Tribe and the State of Oregon, Spirit Mountain Community Fund was established as a way for the Tribe to give back to the local communities that supported them during their most vulnerable time, the termination era.
Through the Community Fund, the Tribe donates 6 percent of casino revenue to nonprofit organizations throughout northwest Oregon. We accomplish this by providing competitive grant programs in an 11-county service area, as well as to government agencies in Lane, Polk, Tillamook and Yamhill counties, and to the nine federally recognized Tribes of Oregon.
Our primary focus is to improve the quality of life for all people living in northwest Oregon through community investments consistent with the Tribe’s culture and values. Since inception, SMCF has awarded $95,952,158 in grants.
There are six Tribal philanthropic organizations supporting nonprofit organizations throughout Oregon. Collectively, these Tribal organizations provided $10,831,944 in grant funding in 2022. These Tribal organizations include, Coquille Tribal Community Fund, Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation, Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund, Spirit Mountain Community Fund, Three Rivers Community Foundation and Wildhorse Foundation.