Oregon Community Foundation distributes $2.8 million in total grant funds

Ashland.news staff reports

Ashland nonprofit Sunstone Housing Collaborative is one of several southern Oregon nonprofits awarded with Oregon Community Foundation grant funds in honor of the late Bill Thorndike, a prominent southern Oregon businessman and former Southern Oregon University trustee who passed away in February.

The investments in southern Oregon nonprofits come from the Reed and Carolee Walker Fund, which has supported 71 Southern Oregon organizations with $2.3 million. Each of the grants is given in memory of Thorndike, a beloved public servant in the southern Oregon region. In addition, OCF’s 2025 Spring Cycle of Community Grants is distributing $516,000 to support the work of 26 Southern Oregon nonprofits.

Sunstone obtained a $30,000 grant that was part of the distributed funds. The nonprofit was founded by two Ashland School Board members as a way to create more attainable housing for Ashland families and school district employees. 

The organization is working with Portland developer Edlen & Co. and locally-based Arkitek and Outlier Construction on a 90-plus unit housing development at an athletic field at the corner of East Main Street and South Mountain Avenue. Nonprofits aimed at tackling Southern Oregon’s most pressing challenges are also receiving funds, including organizations aiming to improve child care, hunger, arts and culture, as well as those with missions to combat substance abuse and provide for those serving immigrants and refugees. 

“We are so grateful for this generous funding which will support the development of intentionally designed mission-driven affordable housing in Ashland,” said Krista Palmer, executive director of Sunstone, in a statement released by the nonprofit.

Sunstone’s funding is a community grant that includes support from the William and Florence Schneider Fund of Oregon Community Foundation.

Southern Oregon University’s Youth Programs are also among awardees, receiving a $135,000 Walker Fund grant.

“Through support from funders such as the Walker Fund of Oregon Community Foundation we offer Summer Camp Enrichment Programs free or low cost,” said Russell Zook, Director of Outreach and Engagement at SOU, in a OCF news release. “This allows us to provide opportunities to build academic excellence, college readiness and leadership skills among youth who might not otherwise have access to these kinds of learning experiences.”

Local Voices, Local Impact  

Freedom Farms, a Gold Hill organization that uses the therapeutic experience of gardening, farming and land conservation management to help men and women re-enter Southern Oregon communities following incarceration also obtained funding.

“We take individuals coming out of a concrete prison environment surrounded by walls and bars and guards, often locked up in very small cells. We take them out to a rural setting, surrounded by nature with lots of space, with trees, with fresh air, and with people who care about them,” said Sean O’Ceallaigh, Executive Director.

“We take the produce we grow to the farmers’ markets twice weekly, and participants get to showcase the produce that they’ve grown and engage positively with the community.”

The nonprofit Addiction Recovery Center in Medford received a $110,000 Walker Fund grant.

“We believe in second chances – and third and fourth ones too,” said Joe Wilson, Administrative Engagement Coordinator. “We do this work because healing isn’t linear, and no one should have to navigate it alone. With this support, we can invest in staffing, outreach, and program enhancements that ensure individuals are not just accessing treatment—but finding connection, safety, and long-term stability.”

Flexible Grants Signal Trust and Respect

Funding from OCF’s 2025 Spring Cycle of Community Grants is flexible, allowing organizations to invest the money where it is needed most. Statewide the program has awarded $5,629,398 to 241 nonprofits serving urban and rural communities.

“All over our state, Oregonians are working to make their communities better, and we rely on them to point the way to solutions and innovative ideas,” said Marcy Bradley, OCF’s Chief Community Engagement and Equity Officer. 

“Flexible operating funds through our Community Grants show the trust and respect we have for our local communities,” Bradley said. “We’re grateful to our donors for making this possible and to our nonprofit partners for their deep knowledge and desire to improve the lives of all Oregonians.” 

For 28 years, OCF’s Community Grants program has supported nonprofits, Tribal organizations and government agencies in all 36 Oregon counties. The 2025 Spring Cycle prioritized nonprofits that are culturally specific, culturally responsive or small rural.  

Breaking down the grants statewide:

• Nearly 3 in 4 of the nonprofits receiving grants serve low-income communities.
• Nearly half serve communities that are Black, Indigenous or people of color.
• Grants went to 26 nonprofits that support Oregonians who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless or in need of affordable housing. Another 30 of the nonprofits receiving grants support immigrant or refugee communities. Twelve more fight hunger.
• For 127 of the nonprofits receiving funding, this is their first Community Grant from OCF.

Community-Reviewed, Donor-Supported

The funding is possible because of donors to Oregon Community Foundation. Grant applications from nonprofits were reviewed by OCF volunteers in every region of Oregon. The list below of representative grants from each region of Oregon demonstrates the impact these grants have on nearly every aspect of life for Oregonians.

A full list of grantees can be found on the OCF website.

Representative Grants for the Region

Freedom Farms

Gold Hill
$20,000

NativeWomanshare
Grants Pass
$15,000

Sugarloaf Community Association
Williams
$30,000


Sunstone Housing Collaborative
Ashland
$30,000

Community Grants by Region

• Central Oregon: 24 grants totaling $382,360
• Eastern Oregon: 17 grants totaling $264,715 
• Metro Portland: 90 grants totaling $2,480,978
• North Coast: 14 grants totaling $242,112 
• Northern Willamette Valley: 24 grants totaling $643,000 
• Southern Oregon: 26 grants totaling $516,000 
• South Coast: 11 grants totaling $178,524 
• Southern Willamette Valley: 35 grants totaling $921,700 

Next Opportunity: Fall 2025 Grants

The next cycle of Community Grants from OCF, in the fall of 2025, will focus on capacity building, small capital and new or expanding projects. Program applications will open June 12, 2025. Grants will be awarded in November.

About Oregon Community Foundation

Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In 2024, OCF distributed more than $211 million in grants and scholarships in every county in Oregon in partnership with donors and volunteers. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, visit oregoncf.org.