Grant Eligibility Guidelines

We support rural Oregon communities, including Tribal communities. All proposals, regardless of an applicant’s location, must have a clear and compelling benefit to rural Oregon.

We seek partners who:

• are IRS-designated 501(c)3 non-profits, a government entity (including special districts) or a Tribal government.
• share our passion for and commitment to rural Oregon.
• demonstrate a broad network of community support.
• advance one or more of our focus areas and understand how these areas are interconnected.
• approach opportunities and challenges with innovation, creativity and collaborative spirit.
• have clear goals and clear outcomes that advance work toward solutions.
• demonstrate thoughtful planning.
• demonstrate they are doing the work to develop and apply racial equity and DEI lenses to their work.
• value community and believe strengthening community connections is foundational to their work.
• demonstrate solid organizational stewardship.
• want to engage with Roundhouse and those within our network as partners.

We are especially interested in opportunities that:

• stimulate rural economies, foster economic resilience and/or advance efforts outside of traditional economies.
• remove barriers to access services, whether real or perceived.
• bring great, new ideas at a time when Foundation support can act as a catalyst.
• engage and mobilize young people.
• engage a mix of lived experiences at every level, including across generations.
• celebrate rural landscapes.
• support sustainable food production and distribution.
• have the potential to leverage additional investment in rural Oregon.

We rarely consider requests for/from:

While The Roundhouse Foundation’s grantmaking is focused in rural Oregon communities, individual staff and Trustees can designate funding to maintain responsiveness and flexibility, which may not reflect the Foundation’s grant eligibility areas.

• faith-based organizations.
  • This includes regional YMCA and Habitat for Humanity branches.
• organizations outside of the United States.
• endowments, or for multi-year commitments exceeding four (4) years.
• scholarships.
• private, independent, tuition-based or charter elementary or secondary schools.
• or from organizations with a history of (or currently experiencing) intense public scrutiny, public litigation, or other activity that would jeopardize/conflict with the Mission or Values of the Roundhouse Foundation.

We are unable to consider requests for/from:

• propagandizing or for influencing legislation and elections.
• institutions, who — in policy or practice — unlawfully discriminate against persons for their race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ability, socioeconomic status, age, or other individual identities.
• individuals unauthorized to act on behalf of a qualified tax-exempt organizations.
• individuals for their personal benefit.
• loan, debt, or operational deficits of any kind.
• organizations that are not IRS-recognized public charities or qualifying government or Tribal government entities. Fiscally-sponsored nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for funding, but must be actively in pursuit of 501(c)(3) status. Please review our fiscal sponsorship guidelines for more information.