Greater Hermiston Community Foundation Grant Guidelines
Our Process
The Greater Hermiston Community Foundation application, review and decision-making process is geared toward encouraging, prudently managing, and distributing charitable contributions to improve the quality of life for our community, now and in the future.
Overview of how to apply:
- Determine if your project is within the eligibility criteria.
- Complete the grant application in its entirety.
- Be sure to read all instructions carefully; answer all of the questions in a brief but complete fashion and include ALL requested attachments. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Submit your application with the required documents.
- Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals at any time. There are no exceptions. We recommend that you submit the application as soon as possible to avoid any technical difficulties that may occur on the due date. GHCF is not responsible for any technical difficulties delaying the submission of any application.
- The grant review process can take up to 45 days.
- When the determination process has been completed, all applicants will be advised as to the outcome of their request. All decisions are final.
Grant awards are paid following receipt of the signed agreement. Publicity given to a grant and dissemination of the results of a grant are to be mutually agreed upon by the Foundation and grant recipient.
Greater Hermiston Community Foundation 2024 Grant Guidelines
FUND MISSION
The Greater Hermiston Community Foundation’s mission is to encourage, prudently manage and distribute charitable contributions to improve the quality of life for our community, now and in the future. GHCF seeks to collaborate with regional nonprofits to meet specific needs within our community.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Program Support: We consider requests to support projects that are highly effective or innovative and do not duplicate other programs or services. Priority is given to applications where organizations come together to solve community issues collaboratively. Total funds available to support competitive grants vary each year.
Selection process: The GHCF Board of Directors will review all applications.
Evaluation process: The competitive grants process, applicants must demonstrate a quality program or project that can make a difference. It also must reach a sufficient number of people while providing a lasting benefit to the Greater Hermiston Community.
Organizations will be required to report progress on agreed upon milestones and deliverables of the project. GHCF may request additional evaluation data including an in-person presentation.
Eligibility Criteria: Nonprofit organizations located in the greater Hermiston area; including Stanfield, Umatilla, Irrigon, and Echo.
Organizations must serve the interests detailed in the focus areas above. Eligible organizations include, but are not limited to, civic, arts/culture, community/economic development, environmental organizations, “bricks and mortar” projects, capital campaigns, private and public schools. The GHCF does not provide support to individuals.
Organizations NOT eligible to receive funding:
- Organizations outside the defined Greater Hermiston Region.
- General operating costs, strategic or business plans for organizations, individuals, political causes or lobbying organizations, national and international organizations, endowments, debt reduction, special fundraising events, and sponsorships.
- Pre-college-level private schools, colleges or universities, veteran or fraternal organizations, religious programs or activities unless funds support direct community benefit.
- Organizations that support terrorist activities or discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or veteran status.
- Religious organizations or programs (except for related programs that directly benefit the greater community—example: Catholic Charities soup kitchen)
- Political organizations, programs or campaigns, fraternal organizations (except for associated programs that directly help the community and not the organization).
- Gifts to educational institutions for non-academic purposes, such as extra-curricular and social activities, group trips.
How do I submit a request for funding?
We are not currently accepting grant applications.
Wilcox Family Endowment Fund
John and Alan Wilcox established the Wilcox Family Fund in 2019 as a partnership with the Greater Hermiston Community Foundation (GHCF), a nonprofit endowment fund that gives back to local communities in the form of grants. After their retirement in 2012 the Wilcox brothers were seeking a way to continue giving back to the local communities that had supported their family business, Wilcox Furniture.
Les and Joyce Wilcox, parents of Alan and John, acquired Wilcox Furniture in 1959 from Charles Wilcox, who founded the company in 1951. The Wilcox brothers (Alan, John, and Bruce) took over management of the business in the mid-1970’s and soon expanded the Hermiston store by opening branch operations in Pendleton and Milton-Freewater. They continued their parents’ tradition of supporting local communities throughout Eastern Oregon by making donations to help those in need.
The formation of the Greater Hermiston Community Foundation provided the Wilcox family with the ideal situation to help make a difference in people’s lives in local communities. “We believe that all of us have an opportunity to give back by helping our neighbors and community in whatever way we can,” said John Wilcox.
John and Alan Wilcox were typical kids growing up in Hermiston during the 1950s. They both attended 12 years of school in Hermiston and regularly participated in team sports and other youth activities. Alan graduated from Hermiston High School in 1969 and John in 1971. Both brothers attended college out of the area, but eventually returned to their roots in Umatilla County.
The Wilcox Family Fund focuses their charitable giving on the children of Hermiston and the surrounding areas. As one GHCF board member said, “The youth of our community have shown the ability to do amazing things when given the tools to be successful.”
