Ford Family Foundation Open Grants

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541.957.5574

Ford Family Foundation Open Grants offer funding for rural communities in Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. Funding areas include:

• Good Neighbor Grants to support both program and capital requests in a way that works for the organization, including unforeseen emergencies that interrupt programming or services:
  • Emergency repairs to essential equipment at a food bank, library, fire hall, or other community service provider
  • Updates to facilities at a community gathering place, including ADA accessibility and technology
  • Community events that are free to the public and multi-day or annual
  • New or special programs for the children and families in the community
  • Studies or research on a community need
  • Playgrounds or recreational facilities
  • Translation of materials or outreach to special populations
  • Basic needs for vulnerable children and families
  • Feasibility studies for economic development projects
• Technical Assistance Grants for building internal capacity:
  • Hiring a consultant for strategic planning, board development, leadership transitions, fundraising strategies, or strengthening fiscal systems
  • Sending staff to mission-relevant training courses
• Larger funding requests for capital projects to support community facilities and gathering spaces

Projects should be within one of the Foundation's funding priorities, which include:

• Strong Starts - Strengthen connections between parents or other primary caregivers and their children, with a focus on nurturing, stable attachments from the very beginning. Strong starts also prioritizes the prevention of child abuse and neglect and supports working families through investments in child care and related services. Project examples include:
  • Parenting support programs
  • Domestic violence programs and shelters serving families with children
  • Child abuse prevention and intervention programs
  • Supports for children in foster care
  • Capital for childcare centers
• Bright Futures - Support the educational experiences kids need to succeed, with an emphasis on early childhood education, helping children start strong in their early grades, and preparing students for the transition from high school to postsecondary education or a career. Bright futures also supports youth development programs that provide meaningful learning and enrichment during out-of-school hours. Project examples include:
  • Early childhood education
  • Early literacy programs
  • Family engagement in children's education
  • Youth development and summer learning programs
  • Programs supporting students of color and other marginalized populations
  • College and/or career preparation programs
• Thriving Communities - Support communities that are building the future they want to see and strengthening the conditions that help children and families thrive. Funding in this area primarily supports capital projects that contribute to local economies, strengthen social connections, and create or enhance public gathering spaces. Project examples include:
  • Community building and engagement efforts
  • Community centers and convening spaces
  • Community social service centers
  • Libraries
  • Rural health centers (Federally Qualified Health Centers)
  • Rural fire halls

Organizations must be located in rural communities with populations less than 35,000 and not adjacent to or part of an urban or metropolitan area in Oregon or Siskiyou County, California.

Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and tribal nations.

Additional eligibility requirements are listed on the program website.

Award ranges depend upon the program.

• Good Neighbor Grants: Up to $20,000
• Technical Assistance Grants: Up to $5,000
• Larger project/capital grants: Over $20,000

A link to the online application portal is available on the program website.