2025 Grant News
We are deeply grateful for the patience and understanding you've shown as we’ve worked to transform our grantmaking processes. We are now in the implementation phase, where we are actively refining and developing our new systems. Over the past few months, we’ve been updating our procedures and documents, including the creation of a new relationship management system and the launch of a redesigned website.
At the heart of this work is our commitment to reducing the burdens traditionally placed on nonprofits and strengthening our relationships within the community. We are dedicated to building a system that prioritizes community voice, intentionality, and inclusivity at every step. These efforts are designed to ensure that our grantmaking practices align with our core values of equity and community empowerment.
Ultimately, our goal is to create a grantmaking experience that is more accessible, intentional, and centered around the needs and voices of the communities we serve.
We are set to officially open our new grantmaking cycle in mid-May. To ensure you are fully informed and engaged, we’ll be hosting a series of virtual webinars and in-person roadshow events starting in April and continuing throughout the year. These events will offer opportunities to learn about our new practices, ask questions, and connect with our team. We look forward to collaborating with you and the community as we continue this important work.
If you'd like to stay updated and receive notifications about upcoming webinars and roadshow events, please fill out this form.
In the meantime, we kindly ask that you refrain from scheduling one-on-one meetings with our team. As a dedicated team of 11, each of us is fully focused on the final stages of our implementation strategy, and we want to ensure we can give our full attention to this crucial work. We greatly appreciate your understanding and support.
We’re excited about what’s ahead and look forward to working alongside you as we move forward.
BEM Grant Opportunity Closed
Our Black Equity Movement current grant cycle is now closed. Please check this space for updates!
What’s Next For The Collins Foundation: Grantmaking Shift Announcement
To align our internal and external practices for more effective grantmaking, Responsive grants will be closed until early 2025, not summer 2024 as originally posted. Application deadlines have not been set yet for 2025. However, we continue to provide funding through our Black Equity Movement and Oregon Immigrant & Refugee Funders Collaborative programs. Please visit the BEM and the OIRFC pages to learn more.
We realize the impact this may have on some grantees. In our strategic planning process, Collins staff and trustees recognized that a deep commitment to equity and racial justice is foundational and aspirational for us. We're taking the time to match this commitment with action. For the next several months, we’ll work on shifting our internal organizational culture to develop a relationship model of grantmaking to foster trust and collaboration with Oregon’s nonprofits. Our goal is to become a learning foundation anchored in honest and respectful relationships with the communities we serve. This means we learn from nonprofit organizations, trust their expertise to understand the needs and barriers in our communities, and work in partnership with them for long-term, sustainable change.
Please read our Equity Commitment Statement and Strategic Priorities to learn more about who we are, what we believe, and how we work.
We’ll continue to provide updates here.
If you need assistance on a current grant award, contact our grants manager, Leann Do. ldo@collinsfoundation.org
For general questions, reach out to Kymberli Contreras, our executive administrator at kcontreras@collinsfoundation.org or call 503-227-7171.