June 2026

Building Hope for Housing Oregon’s ‘Missing Middle’​​​​​​​

The nonprofit Rooted Homes is building moderately priced cottages in Redmond but says financing for such projects is hard to find. Photo by Rooted Homes.

Many of the people who teach our kids, staff our hospitals and serve us in restaurants can't afford to buy a home. New housing projects for the “missing middle” are rare. Just ask Eliza Wilson of Rooted Homes: building seven modest cottages in Redmond took a complex mix of a county grant, city infrastructure support, a construction loan, a crew that finished early and a lot of hope. Oregon Community Foundation is working to make that kind of project far more common with a new $100 million down payment to kick start the Building Hope Fund. Learn more about this important piece of the housing spectrum. 

Beyond ‘Cuckoo's Nest’: One Family Keeps a Revolutionary Legacy Alive

Dr. Ulista Jean Brooks (right) and India Civey (left) support the Oregon State Hospital Museum in Salem to keep their parents’ legacy alive.

When the producers of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” came to the Oregon State Hospital in 1975, they found a state psychiatric institution that was nationally known for its humane approach — patients wore street clothes, ran the bakery and met weekly with the superintendent. That superintendent was Dr. Dean Brooks, and his daughters grew up among his 3,500 patients. Decades later, the family has established a fund at Oregon Community Foundation to make sure that revolutionary legacy remains relevant today. Read their amazing story.

Oregon Community Foundation 2025 Annual Report

Stories remind us what’s possible. From Eastern Oregon to the coast, Oregon Community Foundation’s 2025 Annual Report is full of people finding shared purpose — neighbors fighting food insecurity, families gaining access to child care and a new regional presence in Baker City ─ nonprofits, donors and volunteers making good change together. Read the stories, order a free copy and watch our “Change Together” video.

OCF in the News

Rogue Valley Times (June 5, 2026): Nearly 75 Southern Oregon nonprofits reap $2.25 million in Walker Fund grants

OPB's Think Out Loud (May 22, 2026): Oregon Community Foundation investing $100 million to build the state’s housing supply

East Oregonian (May 18, 2026): Wallowa County’s Cory Carman joins Oregon Community Foundation board

Find more stories here. 

Job Openings at OCF

OCF is a great place to work! Come help us improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy! Find our current job openings here.

Feel free to get in touch!

OCF Offices 

OCF serves the state through five regional offices. Whether you want to donate, seek grants or volunteer, your needs are important to us. Our staff is skilled at collaboration and communication and will facilitate working with you.