Foundations that fund arts and culture in Oregon
These 25 foundations made grants to arts and culture in Oregon in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
Get my shortlist
Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation Trust
- $250,000 to The Red Door Project, Portland: General operating (zinnia grant)
- $160,000 to Talent Maker City, Talent: Capital campaign (daffodil grant)
- $145,000 to Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, Joseph: General operating (daffodil grant)
How to apply: Online form submission through our website.
Deadlines: No
Restrictions: Focus is oregon.
James F & Marion L Miller Foundation
- $800,000 to Portland Art Museum, Portland: Three year operating support for art museum
- $300,000 to Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland: Three year operating support for professional ballet company and school
- $90,000 to The John G Shedd Institute for the Arts, Eugene: Three year operating support for arts education and performance center
How to apply: Please see application guidelines at www.millerfound.org/apply
Deadlines: Application deadlines are posted periodically at www.millerfound.org
Restrictions: The miller foundation makes responsive grants to requests from organizations based in oregon whose primary focus is in the arts or education. For more information, please see application guidelines at www.millerfound.org/apply
The Roundhouse Foundation
- $1,250,000 to High Desert Museum, Bend: High desert museum capital expansion and renovation; indigenizing hdm: partnerships in...
- $250,000 to Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria: Mariners hall & native american exhibits design and construction
- $65,000 to Wallowa Resources, Enterprise: Indigenous fire stewardship film; community & land stewardship; working homes program...
How to apply: Online with budget and required items outlined in submission instructions
Deadlines: See website for upcoming deadlines
Restrictions: See website for eligiblilty
The Kinsman Foundation
- $40,000 to Astoria Arts and Movement Center, Astoria: Historic preservation
- $40,000 to Restore Oregon Inc, Portland: Historic preservation
- $20,000 to Oregon Public Broadcasting, Portland: Artistic media programming
How to apply: To apply for a 2025 grant or a 2026 arts, culture and the humanities grant please visit our website, www.kinsmanfoundation.org, and navigate to the page named application guidelines; contact our office by phone or mail; or email grants@kinsmanfoundation.org to have a detailed...
Deadlines: Submission deadlines vary and are detailed on the website.
Restrictions: Grants are awarded for these purposes: historic preservation, primarily architectural preservation native wildlife rehabilitation and appreciation, particularly rehabilitation programs providing urgent care for native wildlife; and...
The Jackson Foundation
- $21,000 to Portland Art Museum, Portland: General operating
- $20,000 to Oregon Arts Watch, Portland: General operating
- $20,000 to Oregon Symphony Association, Portland: General operating
How to apply: A formal application is available on request grants are made only to 501(c)(3) non-private foundatations whose exemption letter shows them to be oregon organizations.
Deadlines: Applications may be submitted at anytime and will be reviewed at a spring, fall and winter meeting.
Restrictions: Funds requested for general operating purposes, staff salaries and the like do not generally have the same priority that funds for one-time, special projects or developmental projects enjoy.
The Collins Foundation
- $200,000 to Regional Arts & Culture Council, Portland: Support operations and programs to support artists and arts organizations in clackamas,...
- $150,000 to Talent Maker City, Talent: Support operations and steam programs for youth and community members from marginalized...
- $55,000 to Outside the Frame, Portland: Support operations and programs to provide creative empowerment and professional...
How to apply: The application should be in writing and should include the following information a) organization name b) verification of organization's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or other eligible entity c) organization budget d) a description of the nature of the request e) proposed time...
Deadlines: Applications are reviewed three times per year in february, june, and october
Restrictions: Religious, charitable, and educational purposes in the state of oregon
The Reser Family Foundation
- $30,000 to Liberty Restoration Inc, On File: Theater roof replacement
- $10,000 to Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, On File: Art education for rural youth
- $10,000 to Oregon East Symphony, On File: Concert season support
How to apply: Applications should be submitted on the foundation's website on-line grant management system at www.thereserfamilyfoundation.org
Deadlines: 2/1 & 8/1 fast track - midsize requests. 4/1-sm comm initiative grants, 6/1 next gen council grants.
Restrictions: Chartiable activites are primarily in oregon, organization must have tax exempt status.
Rose E Tucker Charitable Trust
- $50,000 to Oregon Symphony Association, Portland: General operating
- $40,000 to Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland: General operating
- $30,000 to Portland Center Stage, Portland: General operating
How to apply: Contact above - rose e tucker charitable trust
Deadlines: No deadlines
Restrictions: Priority to programs in education, health & welfare, community development, social service & arts & culture, emphasis in the portland metropolitan area
Braemar Charitable Trust
- $15,000 to Scalehouse, Bend: To transport an exhibition space into an arts learning gallery
- $15,000 to Klamath Film, Klamath Falls: To support free summer camp
- $15,000 to Willamette Heritage Center the, Salem: To support the replacement and installation of hvac systems in multiple buildings
How to apply: Application must be in writing; submit proof of tax exempt status and confirm the applicant is not a non-functionally integrated type iii supporting organization as reported on form 990, schedule a, line 12; copy of by-laws and constitution; copy of current financial statements;...
Deadlines: Submission deadlines vary; see trustmanagementservices.net for all deadlines.
Restrictions: Grants limited to tax-exempt organizations within oregon. Generally the maximum grant is $15,000. No grants to individuals.
Hillman Family Foundations
- $50,000 to Camp45 Contemporary, Portland: Capacity building
- $50,000 to Bodyvox Inc, Portland: Capital support
- $36,000 to Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland: Event support
How to apply: Requests should be sumbitted via the hillman family foundation online portal. The application process begins with the submission of a brief letter of intent (loi) through the fluxx grant portal summarizing the project for which the organization is seeking funding. Included as...
Deadlines: No deadline.
Restrictions: Each applicant must present evidence of a charitable, tax-exempt status. Further, each applicant must provide information clearly indicating that any contribution made to it by the hillman family foundations, will be considered a...
The Carpenter Foundation
- $30,000 to Oregon Shakespeare Festival Association, Ashland: In support of the 2024 osf season.
- $15,000 to Talent Maker City, Talent: Toward support of the agencys new space and services to the community.
- $10,000 to Rogue Gallery & Art Center, Medford: Toward general operating support.
How to apply: Applications should include: 1) cover letter summarizing project scope, amount of request, & contact information. 2) proposal (4 pages or less): a) description of proposal/project, community needs or strengths it addresses b) applicant organization's purpose, services to...
Restrictions: Grant applications will be accepted only from 501(c)(3) organizations. No grants to individuals will be made. Only one grant per year to any agency is usually considered. The foundation makes grants only within jackson and josephine...
Chambers Family Foundation
- $30,000 to Eugene Symphony Association Inc, Eugene: Support for the free outdoor summer concert at the cuthbert amphitheater in july 21, 2024.
- $10,000 to Eugene Ballet, Eugene: Support of a special gala performace at the hult center, april 12, 2025, celebrating the...
- $7,500 to High Desert Museum, Bend: Kids curate program support.
How to apply: Application available upon request
Deadlines: March 31 and september 30
Restrictions: Lane, benton, or deschutes counties, oregonians benefit
The Robert D and Marcia H Randall Charitable Trust
- $150,000 to Oregon Public Broadcasting, Portland: The randall fund for lifelong learning: connecting more people with history, science, and...
- $15,000 to Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland: Lean about ballet & ballet bridges programs
- $10,000 to Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, Joseph: Youth art program
How to apply: Pre-application required. Instructions may be obtained from brian riffel.
Deadlines: Pre-application deadlines are june 15th and december 15th.
Restrictions: Must be 501(c)(3) organization. Preference is given to pacific northwest applicants.
The Starseed Foundation
- $33,500 to Portland Art Museum, Portland: Cultural support
- $9,000 to Empowered Movement Aerial, Hood River: Community support
- $6,373 to Play It Forward, Portland: Cultural support
How to apply: Grant application is available at foundation website for donee to print, complete, and mail or email. Http://www.starseedfoundation.org/full-grant-request- guidelines request requires the following information: (1) name and address of requesting organization (2) name of...
Deadlines: There are no submission deadlines
Restrictions: Grants/donations awards are limited to the starseed foundation mission statement. All awards correlate to starseed's mission statement.
Wheeler Foundation
- $35,000 to Oregon Historical Society, Portland: Program support
- $17,000 to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland: Program support
- $10,000 to Chamber Music Northwest, Portland: Program support
How to apply: Letter stating purpose of grant and include a copy of 501c(3) determination letter
Restrictions: Cannot make grants to individuals-geographic area-oregon
Hwirwin & Dch Irwin Fdnferg
- $5,000 to Columbia River Maritime Museum Inc, Astoria: General operating
- $5,000 to Open Space, Portland: General operating
- $5,000 to Pacific Youth Choir, Portland: General operating
How to apply: Contact above
Deadlines: Contact above
Restrictions: The foundatio will make gifts & grants to qualified charitable organizations (irc sec 501(c)(3) two times a year. The board of directors will evaluate & decide upon all proposals pursuant to policy
The Shubert Foundation Inc
- $110,000 to Portland Center Stage, Portland: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $85,000 to Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland: General operating support for dance productions and activities
- $45,000 to Portland Playhouse, Portland: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
How to apply: All requests must be submitted on the foundation's application form and include a copy of the applicant's letter from the u.s. Treasury department granting federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the u.s. Internal revenue code. To be eligible for a grant and if audited...
Deadlines: See general explanation attachment
Restrictions: The shubert foundation exclusively provides funds for general operating support. Funds are not provided for project support, nor allocated for capital or endowment campaigns, nor to individuals or conduit organizations.
Union Pacific Foundation
- $25,000 to Echo Heritage Association, Echo: History, heritage and unique local character
- $20,000 to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland: Develop environmental stewards
- $20,000 to Clackamas County Historical Society, Oregon City: Arts and culture
How to apply: Grant application available online during specific periods.
Deadlines: May 31, 2025 for 2025 applications.
Restrictions: The foundation administers the philanthropic program of union pacific corporation and union pacific railroad company. Grants are awarded to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations located in union pacific communities that best align with the...
First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation Inc
- $7,500 to The High Desert Museum, Bend: General Operating Support
- $5,000 to Tower Theatre Foundation Inc, Bend: General Operating Support
- $3,500 to Cascade School of Music, Bend: General Operating Support
How to apply: Refer to Foundation website for online application.
Deadlines: Refer to Foundation website for online application.
Restrictions: The grants are intended to serve the communities of interest to First Interstate Bank.
Anna May Family Foundation
- $3,000 to Rogue Gallery & Art Center, Medford: Elementary school arts outreach program
- $3,000 to Talent Maker City, Talent: Program supplies
- $2,000 to Scienceworks Hands-on Museum, Ashland: Rural outreach
How to apply: Written
Restrictions: Distributions will be made which primarily benefit or have charitable, educational and scientific purposes within jackson, josephine and klamath counties of oregon. Secondary consideration will be given to those that benefit or have...
The William G Gilmore Foundation
- $247,500 to Portland Art Museum, Portland: For general operating support
- $100,000 to Portland Art Museum, Portland: General support
- $25,000 to Beaverton Arts Foundation Inc, Beaverton: To support the purchase of malia jensen's artowrk
How to apply: For guidelines and more information about this foundation, see www.williamggilmorefoundation.org
Deadlines: For guidelines and more information about this foundation, see www.williamggilmorefoundation.org
Restrictions: For guidelines and more information about this foundation, see www.williamggilmorefoundation.org
Carrico Family Foundation C/O Magna O Carrico Lowman
- $125,000 to Oregon Center for Creative Learning, Medford: General fund
- $10,000 to Talent Maker City, Talent: General fund
- $4,000 to Siskiyou Violins, Medford: General fund
How to apply: Foundation application must be submitted by applicants
Harry A Merlo Foundation Inc
- $27,800 to Music Workshop, Portland: Support to improve equity in arts education by providing free, quality music education
- $15,000 to My Voice Music, Portland: Support programs for songwriting, recording & performing for young people 8-24
- $10,000 to Arlington Club Heritage Foundation, Portland: Capital project for seismic upgrade
How to apply: See website for grant application process.
Compton Family Foundation
- $16,000 to Willamette Master Chorus, Salem: Operational support
- $10,000 to Oregon Public Broadcasting, Portland: Operational support
- $5,000 to Willamette Heritage Center, Salem: Operational support
How to apply: Follow general application guidelines: Description of project, budget, tax exempt status & EIN, etc.
R H Parkerunited Foundation
- $10,000 to High Desert Museum, Bend: Youth education
- $8,000 to River View Cemetery Foundation, Portland: Community services
- $5,000 to Oregon Historical Society, Portland: Historical education
How to apply: Letter form. Including: 1) mission statement, 2) description of how mission is accomplished, 3) how will grant awards be utilized, and 4) copy of irs 501(c)(3) determination letter.
Deadlines: July 31
Restrictions: Preference given to grant requests for youth education in pacific northwest.
Get my shortlist