Oregon Cultural Trust Announces $1.47 Million in Grants

Cultural Grants Benefit 57 Heritage, Arts and Humanities Nonprofits, 40 County and Tribal Coalitions and Five Statewide Partners

July 26, 2010. Salem, ORE - The Oregon Cultural Trust announces $1.47 million in FY2011 (July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011) grants to humanities, heritage and arts nonprofits across Oregon.

Each year, the Trust distributes 42% of the prior fiscal year's revenues; 58% remains in the endowment. In FY2010, Trust revenues totaled $3,781,396, an increase of 1.8% from FY2009's $3,714,887. Although contributions increased six percent, from $3,493,004 to $3,702,885, current low interest income resulted in a 1% increase in grantmaking this year.

The Cultural Trust experienced a marked increase in the number of submissions for its competitive Cultural Developments: 212 compared to last year's 163. The number of awards this year increased, from 48 to 57; of those, 13 (23%) are first time grants recipients. FY2011 grants range from $4,000 to $25,000, and represent direct cultural investments in nonprofits in 19 communities and 15 counties.

Norm Smith, chair of the Cultural Trust Board, commented, "The extraordinary increase in funding requests to the Cultural Trust this year speaks not only to widening recognition of the program but also to critical financial need among Oregon's heritage, humanities and arts nonprofits. It's more important than ever that Oregonians support the libraries, historical societies and art centers that are the heart of community."

Executive Director Christine D'Arcy added, "Trust grants represent the vitality of Oregon culture. From the Maritime Museum in Astoria to the Northwest Photography Archive in Portland to the Sumpter Dredge in eastern Oregon, the Trust is funding projects that reflect who we are, what shapes our communities and what we value."

Trust Manager Kimberly Howard observed, "In some respects, the response from the cultural community to this year's grant cycle was not a surprise. It was gratifying to know that news of the Trust's good work is spreading rapidly. In seeking support from the Trust, the cultural community demonstrates energy and determination to move forward. We are proud to join with 1,300 humanities, arts and heritage nonprofits and thousands of cultural donors in defining what it means to be an Oregonian."

The Trust awards grants through three programs.

• Competitive Cultural Development grants of $489,691 to 57 cultural non-profits in 15 counties

• Cultural Participation grants totaling $489,691 to 40 county and tribal coalitions

• Cultural Partner grants totaling $489,691 to the Trust's five statewide cultural partners: Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Humanities, and State Historic Preservation Office.

Competitive Cultural Development grants provide state recognition and support to significant cultural programs and projects, preserving and enhancing Oregon's diverse arts, heritage and humanities programs. Fifty-seven of 212 eligible applicants received funding in the areas of Access, Capacity, Creativity or Preservation. Thirteen (23%) are first time grant recipients.

Funded projects include preserving historic buildings like Baker Cabin (Oregon City), and the Aurora Colony Historical Society's Stauffer-Will Farm; building community through Oregon Shakespeare Festival's (Ashland) CultureFest, and KMUN-FM's (Astoria) locally produced programming; engaging creativity through Ethos Music's (Portland) statewide Latino music outreach program, and Bag and Baggage Production's (Hillsboro) innovative approach to Macbeth.

Cultural Participation grants provide Trust funding to coalitions in Oregon counties and federally recognized tribes. With the addition of carry-over funds, 40 cultural coalitions will receive a total of $498,445 to re-distribute to local projects according to cultural plans specific to their community's needs. These grants, factored on a $6,000 base plus a multiplier based on population, range from $6,062 to the Coquille Tribe to $54,850 to the Multnomah County's coalition.