OCTOBER 2026

This Year's Record Breaking Wildfire Season Shows Need for ‘Nimble and Flexible’ Funding

A hillside in Central Oregon charred this year by wildfire. Courtesy Spray General Store. 

As the 2026 wildfire season burned a record 2.5 million acres across Oregon, communities showed time and again how they can respond when flexible funding arrives quickly. Oregon Community Foundation, its donors and other funding partners collectively distributed more than $2.3 million to help communities prepare, respond to and recover from wildfires across the state. Read firsthand stories and watch our virtual briefing with community leaders on what Oregon learned this fire season and how we can be better prepared for the next one.

From Farmers Market to Grocery Shelves, Oregon Entrepreneurs Get Support to Grow

Nora and Oscar Villasenor had support from the nonprofit Built Oregon to take their chili crisp Al Xile to 60 retail locations. Courtesy of Built Oregon.

Many Oregon food entrepreneurs have the ingredients to thrive but need support to move from farmers markets to larger retail opportunities. With help from nonprofit partners supported by Oregon Community Foundation, business owners are gaining access to coaching, connections and resources that help them grow and reach new customers. These stories of Thriving Entrepreneurs show how investing locally strengthens both family businesses and local economies. Meet some the innovators getting support from our latest round of grants.

Students Tell Donors, ‘You Changed My Future’

Luna Howard and Kacen Wardel gathered recently with donors and community leaders in Coos Bay. Photo by Steven Michael Smith.

Two students from Oregon's South Coast offer a reminder that scholarships are more than financial aid. They can open doors, ease burdens and help students pursue goals that once felt out of reach. “It gives me confidence that people in my community have confidence in me,” said Luna Howard as she began her freshman year at the University of Oregon. “And that makes me want to work so hard for everybody.” Read how donors helped shape their journeys and why they hope their stories inspire others to give students the same opportunity.

JA BizTown Teaches Real-life Financial Literacy

Students hold jobs and run bsuinesses at JA BizTown in Hillsboro. Photo by Elana Grabel.

Financial literacy can shape a young person's future, but too many students never get the chance to learn the basics of managing money. Junior Achievement's JA BizTown provides hands-on financial education through an interactive “Main Street” where they practice real-world decisions about earning, spending and saving. Read how expanding access to this experiential learning means more young Oregonians can build the skills and confidence they'll need as adults. 

OCF and Our Partners in the News

Oregonian: How Oregon renters are becoming homeowners with support from a local nonprofit, 1 family at a time

Elkhorn Media: From farmers market to grocery shelves: Oregon Community Foundation’s $905,000 thriving entrepreneurs grants

Eugene Register Guard: Nonprofits join forces to open new Youth HUB in downtown Eugene

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