Possible Grants and Fundraising Resources

Possible Grants and Fundraising Resources

Previous funding sources for ODNP Projects:

LSTA + ODNP Newspaper Digitization Grant from the State Library of Oregon:

Through a partnership between University of Oregon Libraries’ Oregon Digital Newspaper Program and the State Library of Oregon’s Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) Program, Oregon libraries and/or communities can apply for funding to have local newspapers digitized for inclusion in U of O Libraries’ Historic Oregon Newspapers database.

Important to note: 

  • Any library, school, federally recognized tribe, or partnering organization in Oregon that is eligible for LSTA funding may apply.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Special Projects Grant: 

A few important things to note: 

  • You will need a sponsorship letter from a local DAR chapter. If you have difficulty getting in touch with a local DAR chapter, reach out to the Oregon State Society Daughters of the American Revolution to see about getting connected to a local chapter. 
  • The project will require some form of publicity of the project that mentions the contribution from DAR. 
  • The grant will only cover 50% of the project. 

Heritage Grant from the Oregon Heritage Commission: 

The Oregon Heritage Commission has given grants to various Friends of the Library programs to fund digitization of local newspapers. Grants have been awarded as recently as 2015 to Friends of the Nyssa Library for their digitization project 

Important to note: 

  • If you are applying for this grant, 50% of the total cost of the project needs to be secured as other donations before applying for this grant. This grant will only be funded if it is matched by other donations. 

Museum Grant from the Oregon Heritage Commission: 

Oregon Museum grant funds are for Oregon museums to collect, preserve, interpret and promote the collective history of Oregon for all. Awards are given to museums conducting projects for the care and management of heritage collections, for heritage‐related tourism, and heritage education and interpretation. Grant proposals from museums of all sizes and purposes that meet eligibility requirements are encouraged and will be considered.

A dollar match for funds requested with this grant is not required, though local funding and donations is encouraged.

Local historical associations:

Check with your local museum or historical society! These organizations likely share interest in preserving and making available historic newspapers. While often only offering smaller grants, these groups can be great resources for achieving your funding goals. Not only do many historical associations offer grants, but they could also serve as a sponsor for a grant application. 

Oregon Blue Book maintains a list of regional historical societies. 

Cultural Coalitions:

The Oregon Cultural Trust offers grants and sponsors the following cultural coalitions for each Oregon county and tribal community, all of which have available grants for projects related to the county.

County Coalitions:

Baker
Benton
Clackamas
Clatsop
Columbia
Coos
Crook
Curry
Deschutes
Douglas
Gilliam
Grant
Harney
Hood River
Jackson
Jefferson
Josephine
Klamath
Lake
Lane
Lincoln
Linn
Malheur
Marion
Morrow
Multnomah
Polk
Sherman
Tillamook
Umatilla
Union
Wallowa
Wasco
Washington
Wheeler
Yamhill

Tribal Coalitions:

Burns Paiute Tribe
Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, & Siuslaw Indians
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Confederated Tribes of Umatilla
Confederated Tribes Siletz
Coquille Indian Tribe
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians
Klamath Tribe
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Washanaksha

Local Community Foundations in Oregon: 

Possible Foundations and Grants to Fund Your Project:

If you are working with an established nonprofit, below are some other possible grants that you could apply for. All the below grants have been screened to offer a better chance that your grant will be approved. 

  • C. Giles Hunt Charitable Trust – Douglas County only. No giving guidelines except that grants have to relate to Douglas County 
  • The Jackson Foundation – This grant is Portland-focused, but will fund projects with state-wide benefit. (Applications excepted March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.) The Jackson Foundation may be of particular interest as the money of the fund was generated through the wealth of Charles Jackson, founder of the Oregon Journal. 
  • Kinsman Foundation – State-wide. This is a foundation that has an interest in historical preservation- primarily building preservation. They have given to various historical societies. 
  • Roundhouse Foundation – Sisters, Bend, and Central Oregon focus. This foundation offers two different applications over and under $500. Roundhouse could be a fruitful foundation to seek a grant from for newspapers based in central Oregon. 
  • Spirit Mountain Community Fund Small Grants Program – State-wide. This foundation will provide 50% matching funds up to $7,500. They are interested in historic preservation, particularly in relation to Native American history. Their process starts with a letter of interest, and then you are invited to apply.
  • Chambers Family Foundation– Lane, Benton, and Deschutes counties only. Grants are awarded twice a year, in June and December.  The next deadline to submit an application is September 30th.
  • The Oregon Community Foundation, Community Grant Program– State-wide. Grants are awarded twice a year in Spring and Fall.  Library projects are of strong interest and emphasizing the statewide research access available online adds another level of value to the grant application for your digitization project.
  • Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust– Oregon, with an emphasis on the Portland area. The foundation is interested in organizations working in the areas of education, community development, land and watershed protection, land use planning, forests and energy efficiency.

*If your grant is approved, make sure to let us know so we can add that foundation and grant to this page!