COVID-19 Response Fund
The Benton Community Foundation will be providing emergency grants to local nonprofit organizations affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. We are coordinating this effort with local and regional grantmakers, philanthropists, and community members from across Benton County. We’re doing what we can to help, and we hope you’ll join us.
Read more about our efforts and how you can get involved.
Thanks to an anonymous donor, contributions of up to $1,000 are being matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000.
Recently at BCF
• 2020 Designated Fund Grants
Designated Funds are endowments that make annual grants to one or more specific charities, specified by the donor. In 2020, BCF granted more than $300,000 from 46 different funds to 49 local organizations. Learn more about how Designated Funds support our community in perpetuity.
• 2019 Community Grants
The BCF Board of Directors recently approved more than $90,000 in community grants, as well as an additional $72,000 for local initiatives. Grants will benefit 18 local organizations.
• 2019 Scholarships
BCF is proud to be supporting more than 70 local students with $265,000 in scholarships.
2018 Annual Report
In 2018, the Benton Community Foundation distributed more than $720,000, including grants to 76 local agencies and nonprofit organizations, and scholarships to more than 70 students. BCF grants supported food banks, parks, youth programs, adult care, and services for people experiencing homelessness.
Several new funds were established at BCF in 2018, including: the Alice Mills Morrow Community Grant Endowment, which provides for the basic needs of families with children; the Corvallis Environmental Center Endowment, which provides annual grants to CEC; the Susan and David Cook Donor Advised Fund; and an endowment for Jackson Street Youth Services, created by the Morning Rotary Club of Corvallis.
We’re proud to share with you how philanthropy is making an impact for local kids and families across Benton County!
Update on the pool
The Philomath School District and the Benton Community Foundation are exploring all options to keep the children of the greater Philomath community swimming. Following a donation last fall from BCF to renovate the Clemens Community Pool, builders hired by the school district uncovered new information about significant structural challenges to the pool’s tank, or vessel – the part that holds the water.
Given the new scope of repairs needed, plans to renovate the pool have been put on hold while community leaders research interim and long-term options. A letter to the community from PSD Interim Superintendent Philip Brazeau and BCF President and CEO Chris Quaka is available here.
Mission
To enhance our community through philanthropy.
Vision
We envision a future where we further the aspirations of children, youth and families; we invest in resilient and healthy communities; and we protect cherished resources for future generations.
Values
We value integrity, respect, innovation, excellent stewardship, collaboration, and equity in our grant making. Most of all, we honor the trust placed in us by respecting our donors’ wishes.