Oregon Community Foundation

Every day, Oregonians prove that our future is stronger when we build it together.

Across our state, artists are creating vibrant communities. Students are finding new pathways to opportunity. Rural leaders are developing solutions that strengthen entire regions. Neighbors, donors and nonprofit partners are coming together to respond to urgent needs and invest in what's possible.

That's the story of Oregon Community Foundation's 2025 Annual Report.

Inside, you'll meet people who are turning generosity into action and see how local ideas become statewide impact. These stories show what's possible when we choose collaboration over division and invest in Oregon's future together.

Over the coming weeks, we'll share more of these stories — from arts, culture and education to rural innovation and collective giving. This year’s impact shows what’s possible when more people are part of the solution.

As Oregon heads into the July 4 weekend, a group of foundation and business partners is stepping up to help rural fire departments get ready for what is expected to be a tough wildfire season. Oregon Community Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation and Les Schwab Tire Centers have announced at least $1 million in grants for rural fire agencies, nonprofits and communities, plus a statewide tire donation program from Les Schwab for volunteer fire departments.

As Lisa Mensah, OCF's President and CEO, put it: “We know the scale of this challenge is bigger than any one organization can solve. That's why philanthropy, business, fire services and community nonprofits are working together to help communities prepare before disaster strikes, and we must be ready to stay with them for the long recovery that follows."

You can help too. Donations to OCF's Disaster Readiness and Response Fund start at just $25 and go toward helping communities prepare, respond and recover from wildfires and other disasters.

1. Bill Tester, Sandy store manager, Les Schwab Tire Centers
2. Assistant Fire Chief Mike Traeger, Gresham Fire Department, with Lisa Mensah, OCF President and CEO
3. Assistant Fire Chief Mike Traeger
4. Lisa Mensah with John Bailey, College of Forestry at Oregon State University

What if the key to stronger rural economies is a shift in how we see people? And how they see themselves.

This week, internationally acclaimed author and speaker Jon Alexander — whose book Citizens argues for treating people as active shapers of their communities, not passive consumers — traveled through Eastern Oregon visiting regenerative ranchers and other food producers before joining a gathering at OCF's Portland offices.

It included Cory Carman of Carman Ranch. Lee Lahr of Sustainable Northwest. Brenda Smith of the High Desert Partnership, who described how sharing “100 cups of coffee” with people across historically divided sectors helped spark real collective action.

They work in communities who care deeply for the land. Who are reimagining inherited practices. Who are building something new by working together.

Jon's message: "All of us are smarter than any one of us." Oregon Community Foundation helped bring these leaders together for a conversation that reminded us all why that's true.

Oregon's housing shortage is holding all of us back.

Too many Oregonians — nurses, restaurant workers, teachers, construction workers and small business owners — are struggling to find homes they can afford near the communities they serve.

Oregon Community Foundation can help. We’re willing to do what it takes to help our neighbors get into a home with a door and a floor and a future.

The Building Hope Fund will help finance the construction of new housing for middle-income Oregonians by providing lower-interest loans to developers ready to build but unable to secure reasonable financing.

We've seeded the Building Hope Fund with $100 million. And we’re inviting investors, donors, foundations and financial institutions to join us. Anyone can be part of the Building Hope Fund. To learn more: https://oregoncf.org/buildinghope

Together, we intend to help build 10,000 homes in Oregon.

We are balancing bold action with the collective wisdom that has guided this institution for more than 50 years. And we believe that if we do this right —right partners, right structure and rock-solid resolve — we will do more than build homes.

We will build a better Oregon.

Think big, Oregon.

And hold hands.