OVERVIEW: The Jackson Foundation broadly funds arts and culture, education and youth, and human services in Portland, Oregon and beyond.
IP TAKE: The Jackson Foundation is a low-key funder that makes modest grants to fund small, local nonprofits in the Portland area. Well-established Portland groups of all sizes should get to know this funder. While its grants are typically on the smaller side, it spreads them around widely, trying to reach as many groups as possible.
Since it does not provide much information about its grantmaking habits or strategy, it may be hard to tell what kind of work the foundation is currently prioritizing, but grantseekers are welcome to reach out to foundation staff for more information on upcoming opportunities. This low-profile funder is not the most transparent, as it posts virtually no information about its past grantees or initiatives, not so much as a list. It also does not provide much in the way of guidelines for application other than bare-bones instructions. Contact information is provided for program staff, so email is probably the best way to get in touch with questions and follow-ups.
PROFILE: The Jackson Foundation, based in Portland, Oregon, was established in 1960 with an endowment from the estate of Maria Jackson, an Oregon-based philanthropist, activist, and wife of long-time Oregon Daily Journal owner Sam Jackson. After the latter’s death in 1924, Maria Jackson continued to her philanthropic work in support of the culture, prosperity, and well-being of residents of Portland and the state of Oregon. Upon her death in 1953, she willed the majority of her estate to the creation of the Jackson Foundation to carry on her legacy of philanthropy. Today, the foundation’s mission is still to “promote the welfare of the public of the City of Portland or the State of Oregon, or both.” It does not name specific focus areas, but 990s show that it broadly funds projects and organizations in arts and culture, education, and human services.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The Jackson Foundation does not have stated focus areas, but according to 990s, it frequently makes grants in the area of arts and culture. It funds art museums, history museums, performing arts centers, music, theater, and dance programs, art education, and cultural outreach.
Past grantees include Portland Center Stage, Portland Art Museum, Beaverton Arts Foundation, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Oregon Ballet theater, Oregon Arts Watch, Portland Opera Association, and Profile Theater Project.
Grants for Education and Youth
The Jackson Foundation’s 990s show a tendency to make grants in the area of education and youth. Jackson does not typically support local schools directly, but funds projects and organizations working to improve educational outcomes through in-school and out-of-school activities and outreach.
Past Grantees include the Library Foundation, Greater Than, Oregon Humanities, Elevate Oregon, Dress for Success, Civics Learning Project, and Minds Matter Portland.
Grants for Public Health, Housing and Community Development
The Jackson Foundation frequently makes health grants and grants for human services. 990s reveal a tendency to broadly fund homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, food banks, emergency services, basic needs, health care quality and access, and disability services.
Past grantees include Oregon Food Bank, Medical Teams International, New Avenues for Youth, Planned Parenthood, Portland Rescue Mission, NW Housing Alternatives, Trillium Family Services, Kinship House, Store to Door, William Temple House, and Lift Urban Portland.
Important Grant Details:
Grants generally range from $1,000 to $25,000, with $50,000 being the maximum. The foundation does not publish a list of past grantees, but grantseekers may review the foundation’s tax filings for more information on the types of organizations it supports.
The Jackson Foundation’s grantmaking is generally restricted to the Portland metro area. Projects and organizations outside of Portland may be considered if their impact is statewide.
The Jackson Foundation accepts applications online. Grantseekers may download the application and upload it to the foundation’s website. No letter of inquiry is required. The foundation runs four grant cycles a year, with deadlines on the last day of each quarter: March 31, June 30, September and December 31. Late applications may be considered for the following grant cycle.
Grantseekers may only apply for one grant per year.
Jackson does not typically fund start-up or early-stage organizations without proven track records of success.
For further inquiries, grantseekers may reach out to Libby Wiseley with U.S. Bank Charitable Services Group at march.wiseley@usbank.com
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