What We Fund

We exist to support the great work of Oregon’s cultural nonprofits in the arts, heritage, and humanities. The Cultural Trust invests in Oregon’s cultural sector through three distinct grant programs that serve our statewide service providers, County/Tribal Cultural Coalitions for regional grantmaking, and individual qualified cultural nonprofits.

Since 2003, donations to the Cultural Trust have generated $40+ million in grant funding to Oregon’s statewide service providers, 36 County and 9 Tribal County Cultural Coalitions, and 1,600 arts, heritage and humanities nonprofits.

The Trust’s three grant programs enable broad and deep funding across the state. Of the more than $5.5 million raised annually, at least 40 percent goes into the permanent fund to foster its continued growth (current balance is $31 million). The remaining up to 60 percent of the dollars raised, plus investment income from the permanent fund, is distributed through three annual grant programs:

All of the grants are funded exclusively by Oregonians’ participation in the Oregon Cultural Trust tax credit. Watch a short video to learn more about the Trust’s grant programs!

How? Every Trust donor gives first to any of Oregon’s 1,600 Participating Cultural Nonprofits, then matches that gift with a contribution to the Trust. Donors know that they can write off their Trust contribution as a state tax credit!

Participating in the Trust tax credit provides direct benefit to the libraries, historical societies, youth art programs and preservation projects that are the heart of every community.

See a list of our current grants.

One of the many community work parties for the long-running renovation of Athena’s Gem, an historic performance theater in Athena.

One of the many community work parties for the long-running renovation of Athena’s Gem, an historic performance theater in Athena.