Our Impact
Building stronger connections to place
Since 2014, nearly 500 groups have received funding from Gray Family Foundation to support initiatives that increase equitable access to time in the Oregon outdoors.
Over $22M in grants across 33 counties
All around our state, organizations are inspiring younger generations to appreciate and protect the natural world. Gray Family Foundation exists to amplify their impact by providing needed funds that fuel the important work they do.
1300+ Grants Awarded
Camp Maintenance
$5,140,860 (168 grants)
Outdoor School
$2,798,864 (173 grants)
Environmental Education Program
$7,663,528 (616 grants)
Geography Education
$1,827,081 (95 grants)
Youth Leadership for the Environment
$2,610,000 (77 grants)
Other Grants/Special Opportunities
$3,091,772 (247)
WHO WE HELP
Allies and stewards of nature
Gray Family Foundation provides funding opportunities to non-profit organizations that champion and invest in safe, accessible, and engaging experiential learning opportunities to the children of Oregon.
- K-12 Schools and School Districts Tribal Entities (including Tribal Serving-Organizations and Tribal Governments)
- Residential Youth Camp Facilities
- Community-Based Organizations and Youth-Serving Programs
- Watershed Councils
- And more
WHAT THEY DO
Sharing the natural world
Our grantees use funding from Gray Family Foundation to create programs, services, and experiences that foster an appreciation of and connection to the land. Our grants have been used for:
- Dedicated staff time and cost of staff leadership development and wellness
- Training and professional development for educators
- Classroom materials, curricula, books, toolkits, supplies for outdoor learning experiences
- Transportation costs
- Facility maintenance costs
- Scholarships and/or stipends for participants, interns, and partners
- Administrative support required to successfully implement programs or projects
Featured Grantees
The people who do the work know best what needs done. We exist to support the vision and action of our incredible grantee community.
Native Education Program – Salem-Keizer School District
American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) students and their families gathered in a student kitchen at a Salem-Keizer School District (SKSD) high school to learn how to make sunflower cookies and berry compote from an Indigenous chef.
Funding Area:
Geography Education
Location:
Marion County
Rural Organizing Project
Bridging Divides: How the Rural Organizing Project Empowers Oregon’s Communities For groups in Oregon that are working to effectively organize for issues facing rural communities, such as migrant justice, worker’s rights, or keeping rural post office locations open.
Funding Area:
Youth Leadership
Location:
Lane County
Columbia Slough Watershed Council
In Oregon’s most urbanized, diverse area, the watershed has become a classroom
Funding Area:
Environmental Education
Location:
Multnomah County
