Community 101 (C101)

Community 101 is a classroom-based program that encourages students to get involved in their communities through grantmaking and volunteering. 

A C101 class acts as a mini-foundation. The students receive grantmaking funds, work to identify community needs, decide where to focus, and then implement a grant program. As part of the program, students must volunteer two to five hours per month at a local nonprofit, which brings them even closer to community issues.

Many C101 classes are supported by local businesses and donors. This initiative also receives major support from the PGE Foundation. 

For more information on involving your school in C101, or to support a high school in your community, please visit Community 101 or contact:

• Kim Whitney, Community 101 Coordinator: kwhitney@oregoncf.org or 503.227.6846

Latino Partnership Program

The Latino Partnership Program (LPP) funds leadership training and organizational development through small grants to Latino organizations.

Led by local advisory committees in four regions of the state, the LPP's goals include:

• Strengthening leaders and organizations in the Latino community
• Supporting education and services that encourage Latinos to become more integrated and influential in their communities
• Forging strong ties between Latino and non-Latino communities and leaders

For more information, please visit Latino Partnership Program or contact:

• Roberto Franco, LPP statewide coordinator: rfranco@oregoncf.org or 503.227.6846

OCF is pleased to announce a new area of investment: pilot grants to support community water solutions in rural Oregon.
The goals of this pilot program are to:

1. Empower people to create durable solutions to water issues in Oregon’s rural communities that reflect collaborative agreements among diverse stakeholders.
2. Craft local solutions to water quality and quantity issues that influence statewide policy decisions and funding priorities.

In November, 2016, OCF awarded its first grants through this water pilot: $140,000 to nine organizations that submitted innovative proposals. In 2017, grants totaling $100,000 were awarded to six organizations.

Background    

Oregon is facing a highly insecure water future, due to a changing climate and a fast growing population. Soon, major policies in the natural resource and environmental areas will focus on water access and availability. Already decision-makers are taking action. For example:

• The Oregon Department of Water Resources received a budget increase of over 50 percent this last biennium for infrastructure and planning.
• The Oregon Legislature established a drought task force.
• The statewide water plan is undergoing revisions.

Rural communities have an opportunity to influence future policies through a shared vision based on local solution-oriented activities. OCF is pleased to support this difficult but necessary work.