News & Press Category: Education
Spirit Mountain Community Fund surpasses $55 million in giving
Posted on: December 22nd, 2011
A gift of $20,000 to Salem-based CAUSA Oregon is particularly meaningful to Executive Director Francisco Lopez. “It is important for me because I’m from El Salvador, of Mayan descent, and the money comes from an indigenous Tribe here,” he said. CAUSA Oregon will use the money to provide classes in leadership for indigenous peoples from Central American immigrant families now living in the group’s 10-county area. “This is very significant for us,” he said. For the fourth quarter this year, Spirit Mountain Community Fund on Dec. 7 issued 28 grants totalling $388,200. The event marked the Tribe surpassing $55 million… read more
Arts and Culture | Education | Environmental Protection | Health | Historic Preservation | Public Safety | Small Grant | Large Grant | Our Tribe
2011 Ye?lan Lima Award Winners
Posted on: December 22nd, 2011
We have all seen individuals go above and beyond to help another. Whether that other is a person or animal, their drive to be all that they can be is truly something that garners respect from all who witness it. For those that receive the benefit from that individual’s assistance, recipients often are unable to fully express their words of gratitude. In 1997, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde created their charitable foundation – The Spirit Mountain Community Fund. Since then, Spirit Mountain Community Fund has been quietly helping their neighbors and friends by supporting communities in an 11-county area. Investing more… read more
Arts and Culture | Education | Environmental Protection | Health | Historic Preservation | Public Safety | Small Grant | Large Grant | Our Tribe
September is Library Card Sign-up Month
Posted on: September 19th, 2011
by Louis King SMCF Program Coordinator Observed since 1987, Library Card Sign-Up Month is a time when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. Reading yields great benefits! It's a fact which cannot be questioned by anyone. Reading improves a person's vocabulary, command of the language, and communication skills. Trends show that children who read are able to concentrate on their lessons more properly than those who don't. More importantly, good reading skills are directly related to good writing skills. A person who doesn't… read more
PGE meets Tribal lamprey collectors at the Falls
Posted on: August 4th, 2011
By Ron Karten Smoke Signals staff writer During this year’s lamprey harvest at Willamette Falls, a Portland General Electric video crew interviewed Grand Ronde Tribal representatives for a short history of the Falls. “All we can do is scratch the surface,” said Jeff Gersh, owner of Portland-based NarrativeLab Communications and producer of the upcoming PGE video. “I’m 50 and I could spend the rest of my life on this project.” “One of the most historically rich places in the Pacific Northwest,” in Gersh’s words, the Falls also are a marvel of cultural, biological, geological and, of course, electrical history. Following… read more
Arts and Culture | Education | Environmental Protection | Health | Historic Preservation | Our Tribe
June is Fruit and Vegetable Month
Posted on: June 21st, 2011
As a child my mother regularly told me to “eat your fruits and vegetables” at mealtimes. As I would peer across my plate at the one or more unidentifiable green bits and pieces, none of which appealed to my young sensitive palate, I would often push them aside – thus many mealtimes resembled a marathon. Well, times have not changed! Recent studies indicate that children are not eating the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. Research shows that fruits and vegetables are powerful defenders of our health and should be the foundation of a healthy diet. In addition to protecting… read more
Oregon’s Rainbow of Opportunity
Posted on: April 25th, 2011
We all know that Oregon’s population is diversifying by the day. Many of you also know that Spirit Mountain Community Fund has been a leader in encouraging the conversation about ensuring that Oregon’s non-profit organizations have boards of directors that reflect the communities they serve; that means that boards are inclusive of those that often don’t get invited to the table. We’re not the only ones encouraging this look at diversity. With assistance from Northwest Health Foundation, Multnomah County, and the City of Portland, the Coalition of Communities of Color and Portland State University published “Communities of Color in Multnomah… read more
Change is inevitable
Posted on: April 11th, 2011
It is with a heavy heart that I let you know that I will be leaving Spirit Mountain Community Fund after nearly 6 years as Director. April 29thwill be my last day at the Fund. On Monday May 2ndI’ll begin as the new Administrator for the Oregon Landscape Contractor’s Board. As a Grand Ronde Tribal member, I want you to know how honored and proud I am of the work that’s been accomplished by the Fund in the last six years. More importantly, I’ve loved getting to know each of you, your communities and the magic that you perform in… read more
Arts and Culture | Education | Environmental Protection | Health | Historic Preservation | Public Safety | Small Grant | Large Grant | Our Tribe
Community Fund Gives almost $1 million to 28 organizations
Posted on: April 7th, 2011
Quarterly event on March 16 pushes Tribal giving to $53.4 million By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Helping military veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome. Supporting employment for people with mental health issues. Providing housing for at-risk seniors. Funding law enforcement coverage in the Grand Ronde area. Those are just some of the worthwhile efforts the Tribe supported through its philanthropic arm, Spirit Mountain Community Fund, with 28 grants totaling $992,125 that were awarded on March 16 in the Tribal gymnasium during the fund’s quarterly check presentation. Spirit Mountain Community Fund now has distributed $53.4 million in charitable grants since it… read more
Arts and Culture | Education | Environmental Protection | Health | Historic Preservation | Public Safety | Small Grant | Large Grant | Our Tribe
March Into Literacy
Posted on: March 23rd, 2011
This month celebrates the love of reading among children and promotes awareness of literacy as a fundamental skill for success. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics Reading Report, 33 percent of all fourth graders in the U.S. cannot read at even the basic level. National March into Literacy Month encourages reading among children through a variety of activities and events. There are a number of national initiatives that offer our nation’s most economically disadvantaged children direct access to books and educational resources that will enhance their ability to read and to communicate effectively. Locally, since 2000 the Portland… read more
Ye?lan Lima Award
Posted on: March 3rd, 2011
By Michelle Alaimo Smoke Signals photographer Ye?lan Lima is a Chinuk Wawa phrase meaning “helping hand” and Spirit Mountain Community Fund recently established the Ye?lan Lima Award. It will be an annual award given to two people involved with nonprofit organizations located within the 11-county service area covered by the fund. The award’s purpose is to recognize individuals with remarkable achievements within organizations. There are two categories for which people can be nominated: unpaid volunteer person and paid non-management staff person. Each of the two award winners receive a distinctive recognition award, a complimentary dinner for two and one night… read more
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