OVERVIEW: This funder supports arts, education, medical, health and human needs in Lane, Benton, and Deschutes counties in Oregon. It reviews grant proposals twice per year.
IP TAKE: The Chambers Family Foundation is a great funder to know for grant seekers in Lane County, Oregon. It makes modest grants in support of a broad range of issues, including arts, education, health care, community development, and basic needs. This makes it an excellent resource for any small organization in its giving area, no matter how they serve their community. However, its geographical giving range is highly restricted. Around 90% of its grants each year stay within Lane County, centering around Eugene, while only 10% of its funding is distributed to the surrounding Benton and Deschutes counties. While it generally prefers to fund specific projects, it is also willing to provide general operating support to organizations whose work supports its overall charitable mission in Oregon.
Chambers is a relatively transparent funder that maintains a list of past grantees, but does not provide details like dates, grant values, or descriptions of funded projects. Seeking out the foundation’s public tax filings may reveal more information about dates and amounts. The application is simple and straightforward, with clear guidelines, but the foundation does not provide much information on its current grantmaking priorities or what kind of projects it is looking to fund. Grantseekers are welcome to reach out to the foundation with questions or inquiries, but it does not promise to provide any substantial application assistance.
PROFILE: The Chambers Family Foundation (CFF), based in Eugene, Oregon, and prioritizes the counties of Lane, Benton, and Deschutes. It was established in 1999 by Carolyn Chambers, who was a local businesswoman and pioneer in the broadcast and cable television industry. In 1960, she acquired a license for KEZI-TV in Eugene, went on to own several ABC affiliate stations in Oregon, and was part of the Liberty Communications group. Chambers died in 2011. It gives around 90 percent of grants to groups in Lake County, Oregon. It splits the other 10 percent evenly between Benton County and Deschutes County. This funder does not typically provide capital project support for new buildings, but may be open to finishing costs at the end of construction, such as furnishings or equipment. The foundation’s current focus areas are Arts, Education, Medical, Health, and Community.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The Chambers Family Foundation makes arts grants to fund local organizations such as performing arts, community theaters, art museums, cultural centers, and arts education and outreach for youth and adults. Past grantees include Actors Cabaret, Applegate Regional Theater, Arts Central-Bend, Cascade Festival of Music, Cottage Theater, Eugene Opera, and Hult Center for the Performing Arts.
Grants for Education and Youth
The Chambers Family Foundation makes education grants to support local schools and colleges, as well as education-related non-profits, youth outreach, and out-of-school activities. Past grantees include Bethel Education Foundation, Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center, Education Foundation of Bend LaPine, First Book, Eugene Science Center, and Junior Achievement of Western Oregon.
Grants for Public Health
The Chambers Family Foundation supports public health through its medical, health, and community grantmaking. It funds health clinics, health care services, disease-related nonprofits, food banks, shelters, and other basic human needs services. Past grantees include ALS Association of Oregon and SW Washington, American Red Cross, Brethren Community Services, Community Food for Creswell, Corvallis Clinic Foundation, Center Against Rape, Child Advocacy, Dental Foundation of Oregon, Diabetes Community Care Team, and Human Services Commission.
IMPORTANT GRANT DETAILS:
Grants generally range from $1,000 to $15,000, with a small percentage of grants ranging up to $50,000. Grantseekers may review a list of past grantees for more information on the organizations it has previously supported.
The Chambers Family Foundation’s grantmaking centers around Eugene Oregon and the surrounding Lane County, with about 10% of its grants serving nearby Benton and Deschutes Counties.
CFF holds two grant rounds per year, with deadlines typically falling on March 31 and September 30. To apply for a CFF grant, download and print out a grant application form from the funder’s website. Completed forms, along with supplemental documents, may be submitted by mail or email. The foundation reviews proposals in May and November of each year.
The foundation prioritizes local projects targeted by members of the foundation. However, unaffiliated groups with great potential to benefit the community may be considered for funding, as well.
CFF does not accept applications from individuals or for capital construction projects. Project-specific requests are given priority over general operating funds.
Direct general questions to the foundation at 541-484-2419 or via email at admin@chambersfamilyfoundation.com.
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