Pacific Power announces new grants to organizations focused on community enhancement and the environment
PORTLAND, Ore. — Nonprofit organizations in Oregon, Washington and California transform hopes into action every day by showing up to care for their neighbors and the environment. The Pacific Power Foundation is supporting this important work with a new round of grants to local organizations that are committed to fostering resilient cities, towns and natural areas in our region.
The foundation is donating a total of $112,000 in grants across the three states it serves to underwrite a diverse range of programs and projects, from affordable housing access, job training and rural economic development to ecosystem preservation, trail restoration and nature-based education.
“These organizations lift up our communities and protect our natural surroundings for future generations,” said Stefan Bird, president and CEO, Pacific Power. “It is an honor to support their inspiring work and help build communities where everyone can flourish.”
This round of grants, focused on community enhancement and environmental respect, is one of the four grant cycles offered by the foundation annually.
The following 47 grants were given to local Oregon, Washington and California organizations:
Oregon
Greater Portland Area
1000 Friends of Oregon for efforts to increase affordable housing and invest in climate-friendly, walkable, mixed-use urban neighborhoods through the Housing for Oregonians Made Easy initiative.
African Family Holistic Health Organization for rental space, program supplies and transportation for its youth program, which offers recreational, professional and personal development opportunities for young African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants and refugees.
Central City Concern to help cover the cost of replacing furniture at the Letty Owings Center, a residential addiction treatment program for people who are pregnant or parenting children younger than five.
Constructing Hope Pre-Apprenticeship Program to provide construction training and support for 100 unemployed Oregonians who are predominately people of color.
Free Geek for programs that collect, reuse and recycle computers and other technology devices and provide them to low-income people in the Portland area.
HawkWatch International – Pacific Northwest for the Bonney Butte HawkWatch site, which tracks western raptors' population trends, guides conservation efforts and provides educational opportunities to teach visitors about environmental stewardship.
Hood River County Christmas Project to purchase nutritious food, grocery gift cards and children’s gifts for low-income households.
Knott Street Boxing Club to support youth scholarships and staffing to maintain this historic Oregon institution and its commitment to youth of color.
Lloyd EcoDistrict for a MicroBiz Lending ToolBank that will provide free access to canopies, PA systems and other event supplies to help small businesses and nonprofits create meaningful events for the local community.
Northwest Housing Alternatives for the Climate Resiliency for Low-Income Residents program, which will promote extreme-weather emergency preparedness for people living in the organization's affordable housing properties in Portland.
Proud Ground to grow the organization’s portfolio of permanently affordable homes through the multiyear Opening Doors Initiative, which focuses on home purchasers from traditionally marginalized groups.
Salvation Army West Women’s and Children’s Shelter for the Workforce Development Access Project to continue providing internet access to support residents' workforce and career development goals, including GED courses, college and trade classes and remote work.
Transitional Youth for outreach, housing, mentoring and vocational training to help at-risk and unhoused youth build self-sufficiency.
Willamette Valley
City of Stayton to upgrade the kitchen in the city’s community center building, which opened in 1979.
Luckiamute Watershed Council to support the planning and delivery of community outreach and education events as part of the Love Your Watershed Program, which connects people to the local landscape and encourages them to take an active role in improving and stewarding the watershed.
Sweet Home Public Library to transform a patch of bare soil next to the library into an ADA-accessible outdoor seating and table area.
Trailkeepers of Oregon for the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Recovery Trails Restoration project to restore
5.1 miles of hiking trails impacted by the 2020 Labor Day fires, provide training for volunteer leaders, build two 30-foot bridges and install a series of wooden stairs.
Young Roots Oregon for the Family Support and Connections program to provide community dinners during its weekly parenting skills course, helping to foster connections and decrease food instability for young parents.
North Coast
Warrenton Middle School for a comprehensive soft skills and career-readiness curriculum to equip students with the abilities they need to thrive in today’s workforce, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability.
Wildlife Center of the North Coast to expand the scope, inclusiveness and impact of environmental education programs.
Central Oregon
350Deschutes to help underserved students and their families become aware of job opportunities in the green energy sector and find placement in the skilled trades.
BendNEXT for the Workforce Housing Initiative to address the housing shortage for middle-income households who are increasingly unable to find affordable homes.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon to match new volunteer mentors with young people and provide a case manager to support relationships between youths, their families and the volunteer.
Central Oregon Environmental Center for the Garden for Every School program to provide science education resources, educator training and school-based gardens that support student nutrition and environmental literacy.
Council on Aging of Central Oregon to purchase a portable stage for the main dining hall of the senior services center, which provides a venue for activities such as nutrition education, fall-prevention classes and holiday events.
Deschutes Children's Foundation for facilities management of four campuses where the foundation provides space at reduced rent for nonprofit community partners serving children and families.
Desert Sky Montessori to support the construction of a new facility to accommodate the addition of seventh- and eighth-grade classes and increase support services staff, including in special education.
Umpqua Valley
Crater Lake Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Trust to expand its electrician pre-apprenticeship program for high school students to rural, minority and traditionally underserved communities and develop a mobile education unit that can take the technical classroom directly to rural schools.
Rural Development Initiatives to support Main Street Economic Vitality Hubs that help build networks of rural leaders and revitalize rural economies through training workshops, participant stipends, technical assistance and coaching.
Eastern Oregon
City of Pendleton Parks and Recreation Department to provide consistent, affordable, education-based after-school programming for children in kindergarten through fifth grades.
Wallowa Land Trust to host Nez Perce tribal leaders who will lead a free guided hike in the newly protected East Moraine Community Forest and explain the significance of the forest to Nez Perce culture and history.
Rogue Valley
Community Works for the Youth Transitional Housing program that provides low-barrier housing and support services for unhoused youth and their children.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern Oregon for efforts to prevent homelessness by providing at-risk families with housing counseling and financial education.
Illinois Valley Wellness Resources to add new services to the Adopt-A-Senior program that uses community volunteers to provide seniors with food, socialization, transportation and home assistance.
Rogue Valley Council of Governments to initiate work on the Reinhart Volunteer Park Restoration and a trail building plan to restore a wetland and a section of riparian area along the Rogue River.
The Salvation Army – Medford Citadel Corps to support the creation of a recreational center that will provide unhoused families with access to wellness activities and workforce and academic development services while giving children a safe place to play.
Klamath Falls
Assistance League of Klamath Basin for the Operation School Bell program to provide new jackets and clothing for children in need.
Junior Achievement of Oregon and SW Washington to expand outreach and provide more students from low-to-moderate income homes across Oregon with in-class Junior Achievement programs that help build financial and career skills.
Klamath Basin Senior Citizens' Center for the Age Well Path project, which will provide a safe, accessible and enjoyable place to walk and move regardless of ability or resources.
Lost River Booster Club to help equip the fitness center at the Lost River Community Center and provide the diverse rural population they serve with a well-furnished exercise space.
Washington
Columbia County for equipment and supplies to complete the third phase of an underground sprinkler installation that will serve the public Touchet Valley Golf Course and the Columbia County Fairgrounds.
SonBridge Center for Better Living for a digital reader sign to provide information about current programs, resources and support groups and to raise visibility for the Thrift and Gift Store that funds services and programs.
Washington Water Trust for projects to help restore water to salmon-bearing rivers in the Walla Walla, Yakima and Klickitat watersheds.
Canyon Blooms Petals for Patients to install a weather-resistant door that will extend operating hours in the studio where the nonprofit creates vases to hold flowers it donates to community members who are confined and facing hardship.
Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Yakima County for yarn, supplies and other support for Project Warm-Up, which donates hand-knit hats, blankets and other items to people in need.
Yakima Greenway Foundation to create safe and accessible routes to the river, restore surrounding natural areas and expand low-cost recreation opportunities.
California
Community Foundation of the North State to fund costs associated with live trainings and guidance materials for North State Giving Tuesday, which supports multiple local charitable organizations.