OVERVIEW: The Cressey Family Charitable Trust supports education and literacy in Oregon by making grants to schools, public libraries, and education-related nonprofits.
IP TAKE: The Cressey Family Charitable Trust is a low-key funder that makes a handful modest grants with a targeted focus in a limited giving range. As a lifelong Eugene resident and lover of books, Cressey committed his estate to this foundation in order to promote literacy, reading, and education for children in Oregon. Not much information is available on the foundation’s grantmaking strategy or habits, as it is administered by Wells Fargo and does not have a unique website. Tax filings suggest that grants strongly prioritize organizations working in the Eugene, Oregon, area, but it also funds programs throughout the state. It rarely awards more than ten grants a year, however,
Cressey is not the most transparent or accessible funder. Its Wells Fargo page does not list any previous grantees or provide detailed information about the foundation’s grantmaking priorities or strategy. While it accepts applications through the Wells Fargo grant portal, it does not appear to have any dedicated program officers or any way to contact the members of the board.
PROFILE: The Cressey Family Charitable Trust (CFCT) is a private foundation established in 2006 by the estate Eugene, Oregon, resident John P. Cressey. As he passed away without children, he created this foundation to honor his parents, who owned a bookstore. CFCT is managed by Wells Fargo Bank, which offers philanthropic services for private foundations and serves as the foundation’s trustee. CFCT has a four-member committee that reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to the trustee. The foundation’s focus aligns with Cressey’s love of reading and belief in the importance of education and literacy. Its mission is to support “the City of Eugene Public Library and nonprofit organizations in the Eugene/Springfield area of Oregon that emphasize education generally and literacy and reading programs specifically.”
Grants for Education and Youth
The Cressey Family Charitable Trust’s education grantmaking centers around literacy programs, but it also funds general education causes on an occasional basis. Most funding is for general operating support rather than for specific programs or capital support. Library foundations, education foundations, and children’s foundations often receive CFCT’s support. This is also a significant funder of local public libraries, early childhood education, child abuse and neglect prevention, and educational support for children with disabilities. Past local grantees include the Relief Nursery, Springfield Public Library, and Eugene Education Foundation.
IMPORTANT GRANT DETAILS:
Grants range between about $2,000 and $20,000. CFCT typically makes around 8 to 10 grants per year totaling up to $70,000. Grantseekers can learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records.
The Cressey Family Charitable Trust’s grantmaking centers around Eugene and Springfield, Oregon. However, it will also consider proposals from the Portland area or other parts of the state.
CFCT accepts applications through the Wells Fargo online grant portal. The deadline for applications to be reviewed at the annual board meeting is July 31, but applications may be submitted year round. Applicants are typically notified of the foundation’s decision by November.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The annual application deadline is July 31; however, CFCT accepts applications all throughout the year. Grantseekers should use the Wells Fargo online application system to apply for funding. The system provides an automated email to confirm applicants’ submissions. Direct general questions to the staff at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com or 888-235-4351.
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