News & Press Category: Public Safety

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

L-R: Kathleen George, Tyrone Spellman, and Diane Lang

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

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

Photos by Michelle Alaimo Tribal member and Spirit Mountain Community Fund Director Shelley Hanson, right, takes a photo, at the request of Merrill Weyerhaeuser, left, SMCF Program Coordinator Louis King, middle, and Brenda Carpenter, right, during the Fund’s quarterly check presentation in the Tribal gymnasium on Wednesday, March 16. Carpenter is the deputy director of Northwest Pilot Project Inc. and Weyerhaeuser is on the non-profit’s Board of Directors. The organization provides housing for

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

Hunger-relief efforts require steady vigilance

Posted on: October 20th, 2010

In nearly 90 urban and rural locations all around Marion and Polk counties, volunteer hunger-relief efforts are under way to ensure that no one goes to bed hungry.  These meal sites and food pantries have partnered with the private, nonprofit Marion-Polk Food Share (MPFS) in its fight to end local hunger; a fight that requires tireless vigilance and community support. It’s fitting to point out during October, national Hunger Awareness Month, that hunger is a pervasive reality in the mid-Willamette Valley. Despite the bounty we see all around us, one in five local families needed emergency food assistance at least… read more

Education | Health | Public Safety | Large Grant

No Joke

Mychal Leno, Tribal member and Player Services manager at Spirit Mountain Casino, reads “The Catcher in the Rye” as she rides the Salem-Keizer Transit Cherriots Route 2X - Grand Ronde Express bus to work on Tuesday, March 23.  Photo by Michelle Alaimo

Posted on: April 1st, 2010

Free rides: Casino paying fares between Grand Ronde-Salem in April This is not – repeat NOT – an April Fool’s Day joke: Rides between Grand Ronde and Salem will be free for the entire month. In a combined effort between the Salem Area Mass Transit District and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to increase ridership on the Route 2X - Grand Ronde Express bus, Spirit Mountain Casino will pay the forgiven fares through the end of the month. Transit District Finance Director Pat Mercier said the casino sponsorship will cost about $4,500. “We are hoping the increased ridership from Salem… read more

Environmental Protection | Health | Public Safety | Our Tribe

National Senior Independence

Posted on: February 16th, 2010

Good news! Money for Seniors to help pay Medicare and prescription costs During this turbulent economic time, our senior citizens have been severely impacted. Many have watched their retirement income diminish before their eyes, while their fixed costs have remained the same. For seniors living in Marion, Polk, Tillamook, Yamhill and Clatsop counties, there is a ray of sunshine on the horizon. Northwest Senior and Disability Services received a grant to help low-income seniors and disabled adults offset some of their health care costs. The funding focuses on providing help for: Medicare premiums & deductibles prescriptions co-pays There are income… read more

Arts and Culture | Education | Health | Public Safety

National Mentoring Month

Posted on: January 14th, 2010

The month of January has been designated as National Mentoring Month and Spirit Mountain Community Fund is privileged to have had the opportunity to partner with several organizations that work diligently to provide meaningful mentoring opportunities for our youth. Please join us as we acknowledge the importance of this work and recognize Oregon Mentors as one of several not–for –profit organizations who for the past nine years have been doing exceptional work in Oregon. Oregon Mentors began out of the national youth development campaign—America’s Promise. Led by its chairman, General Colin Powell, America’s Promise—The Alliance for Youth, is dedicated to… read more

Education | Health | Public Safety | Large Grant

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Posted on: March 4th, 2009

Throughout the year, individuals with developmental disabilities achieve amazing things. March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month an annual observance that focuses on increasing public awareness and understanding of the issues affecting people with developmental disabilities. It is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the value of full inclusion in community life and how diversity is essential to our culture and neighborhoods. Spirit Mountain Community Fund would like to acknowledge Partnerships in Community Living, Inc. (http://www.pclpartnership.org) located in Monmouth, Oregon since 1986 and lead by executive director, Zellee Allen. PCL's organizational vision is to create and continually evolve as… read more

Education | Health | Public Safety

In Celebration of the Senior Citizen

Posted on: May 19th, 2008

The month of May has been designated as “Older Americans Month” and on Tuesday, May 20, 2008; we will be celebrating “ Senior Citizens Day.” This day has been set aside to honor the numerous contributions older adults make to their communities. Senior Citizens Day provides a special day for events that promote positive attitudes toward aging and recognize the active, healthy, and independent lives many older Americans lead. Older Americans continue to work in a myriad of jobs, from scientists, to educators, to entrepreneurs and business owners, and as such contribute invaluable experience and leadership skills. Their strength, compassion,… read more

Health | Public Safety | Large Grant


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