February 2010 Grants Announced

At the February program meeting, MMT trustees awarded 41 grants for more than $2.1 million to nonprofit organizations in Oregon and Clark County, Washington. Twenty-four of the grants were made under the Grassroots Grants program, designed to support smaller organizations with awards of up to $25,000.

February's awards bring the total since MMT began operating in 1982 to 6,065 awards for more than $495 million.

The grants included $425,000 to two global relief organizations with world headquarters in Oregon to help support their relief work in Haiti following the devastating earthquake January 12, 2010.

"Global emergencies, no matter where, call for a response from all of us," said Meyer Memorial Trust CEO Doug Stamm. "We're very proud to have two international relief agencies with world headquarters in Oregon: Mercy Corps and Medical Teams International. Today we're awarding funds to help cover the local costs both organizations incurred in responding to the earthquake aftermath in Haiti. We hope others will join us in supporting their work."

Grants for Haiti relief efforts:

Medical Teams International, Tigard, OR
Awarded: $175,000
To support increased costs in the Oregon office related to Haiti disaster relief efforts

Mercy Corps, Portland, OR
Awarded: $250,000
To support increased costs for Oregon operations related to Haiti disaster relief efforts

Other Responsive Grants included:

BodyVox, Portland, OR
Awarded: $125,000
For capital/equipment improvements for this organization’s dance facility

Cascade AIDS Project, Portland, OR
Awarded: $100,000
To support core operations of this organization working to prevent HIV infections and supporting and empowering people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS

Catholic Community Services of the Mid-Willamette Valley and Central Coast, Salem, OR
Awarded: $200,000
To support Fostering Hope, a collaborative system of neighborhood-based family support to decrease foster care

Community Housing Services, Corvallis, OR
Awarded: $100,000
For renovation of Pelican Place, a permanent supportive housing complex for homeless families in Newport, Oregon

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Washington, DC
Awarded: $6,250
For annual membership

More for Mission Resource Center
$50,000
To support mission-related investing among foundations

Neighborhood House, Portland, OR
Awarded: $150,000
To support CASASTAR, a school-based youth delinquency and substance abuse prevention program

Oregon Energy Services, Tualatin, OR
Awarded: $97,125
To hire a program director for the organization's innovative Oil Recycling Program

Portland Opera Association, Portland, OR
Awarded: $200,000
To support Portland Opera's 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons

Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls, Portland, OR
Awarded: $83,000
To build fundraising capacity for more girls to be served

Salem Art Association, Salem, OR
Awarded: $30,000
To support 2010 core programming and general operations

Step It Up, Inc., Portland, OR
Awarded: $40,000
For general operating support to this organization that helps career-aspiring high school students gain work experience, graduate from high school and succeed in college

Technical Assistance for Community Services, Portland, OR
Awarded: $1,500
To Support the Nonprofit Association of Oregon

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, Salem, OR
Awarded: $77,020
To expand the volunteer program in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties

Urban League of Portland, Portland, OR
Awarded: $50,000
To complete strategic planning and to support core operations during plan implementation

Grassroots Grants included:

Bay Area Senior Activity Center, Coos Bay, OR
Awarded: $6,830
To replace equipment needed to delivery the agency's nutrition program for senior citizens

Blue Mountain Healthcare Foundation, John Day, OR
Awarded: $9,000
For emergency response equipment for the Blue Mountain Nursing Home

Coast Range Association, Corvallis, OR
Awarded: $10,000
To support a partnership between the Oregon Coast Community Forest Association and the City of Toledo to develop a wood products enterprise utilizing sustainable forest management practices

Community Connection of Northeast Oregon, La Grande, OR
Awarded: $25,000
To make building improvements at a facility providing a range of services to children and families in Union County.

Coos Elderly Services, North Bend, OR
Awarded: $3,718
To replace failing equipment at this agency that serves elderly and disabled residents of this coastal community

Grant County Child Care Center, Canyon City, OR
Awarded: $5,000
To conduct facility repairs and improvements at the community's childcare center

Highland Lutheran Church, La Center, WA
Awarded: $4,973
To convert a room in a local church into a food sorting and storage center for the newly created Lewis River mobile food bank

Jefferson County Youth Organization Corporation, Madras, OR
Awarded: $9,163
To increase systems efficiency at this youth organization and support its summer programming

Josephine County, Grants Pass, OR
Awarded: $11,580
To support relocation of the Children's Advocacy and Treatment Center

Latino Community Association, Bend, OR
Awarded: $14,500
To help develop this organization that serves limited-English, Spanish speaking residents in central Oregon

LightHawk, Lander, WY
Awarded: $9,129
To provide aerial support for Klamath Basin restoration work

National Center for Conservation Science and Policy, Ashland, OR
Awarded: $22,900
For market research and business planning for the ClimateWise Technical Assistance and Training Program

National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped - Oregon Chapter, Wilsonville, OR
Awarded: $20,000
To support dental services for those with disabilities and other special needs

Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, Eugene, OR
Awarded: $23,493
To support the development of an organizational strategic plan

Oregon Symphony Association in Salem, Salem, OR
Awarded: $20,270
To strengthen internal systems to conduct outreach to existing and new audiences

Ponderosa Parents Association, John Day, OR
Awarded: $9,495
To install a safe play area for the Growing Tree Infant Center

Roseburg Rescue Mission, Roseburg, OR
Awarded: $25,000
For a shelter for homeless women and children

Safe Haven Maternity Home, Roseburg, OR
Awarded: $24,990
To support shelter services for pregnant young women

Salem Art Association, Salem, OR
Awarded: $30,000
To support 2010 core programming and general operations

Sauvie Island Center, Portland, OR
Awarded: $15,000
To strengthen this agency's fund development work

Street Roots, Portland, OR
Awarded: $18,483
To improve services to residents in east Portland communities

Technical Assistance for Community Services, Portland, OR
Awarded: $1,500
To support the Nonprofit Association of Oregon

Trinity Episcopal Church, Bend, OR
Awarded: $25,000
For renovations to a facility used to serve meals to low-income residents

Tualatin Riverkeepers, Tigard, OR
Awarded: $25,000
To strengthen this organization through a marketing strategy to increase membership and financial contributions

Voz Workers’ Rights Education Project, Portland, OR
Awarded: $25,000
To strengthen this organization's fund development capacity

Write Around Portland, Portland, OR
Awarded: $25,000
To support a summer writing program that serves disadvantaged adults and youth