AUGUST 2026

Two Years, One House and Why Oregon Needs 10,000 More Homes Like It

Middle-income Oregonians struggle to find affordable homes. Drew and Julien Temps finally lucked out on this one in La Grande. Photo by Jason Hill.

Drew and Julien Temps searched for a home for two years, losing out on multiple houses, at one point even making an offer while Drew was in labor with their son. Their story is a window into a much bigger problem: Oregon builds less than half the housing it needs each year, pricing out families earning $50,000 to $100,000 a year. That’s the gap Oregon Community Foundation’s Building Hope Fund is designed to close, lending capital to developers so they can build homes middle-income families can afford. Read the Temps’ story and see why OCF is making a $100 million down payment to this cause.

Donors Make Wildfire Response Grants Possible

Donations to the Disaster Readiness and Response Fund supported the Wagontire Rangeland Fire Protection Association, which bought this dozer to cut a fire break at the Bald Mountain Fire in Harney County.

As wildfires burn more than 2 million acres of Oregon’s landscape, a network of funders has delivered more than $1 million in grants to help local agencies and nonprofits fight fires and respond to community needs. This includes funding from the Disaster Readiness and Response Fund of Oregon Community Foundation, fueled by donors stepping up to help their fellow Oregonians. Find out more, including how you can get involved. 

Caring for a Shared River in Central Oregon

Bobby Brunoe of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs speaks to OCF board members and staff at Lava Island Falls on the Deschutes River. Photo by Elana Grabel. 

Water shapes what is possible in Oregon — for communities, farms, businesses, fish and wildlife. As Central Oregon continues to grow, how we collectively manage and conserve water will be key to the region’s long-term prosperity and resilience. Oregon Community Foundation has been engaged in water-related work for years, supporting local collaborations, planning, research and emerging solutions. This summer, OCF’s board and staff traveled to the Deschutes River Basin to listen and learn alongside the people engaged in this work. “Everyone around our reservation is going to be here, and so are we — forever,” said Bobby Brunoe of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. “So we need to work collaboratively on the water and land we all depend on.”

Video: Regional Office Opens in Baker City

Oregon Community Foundation has opened a regional office in Baker City to strengthen our presence Eastern Oregon. The OCF team attended the annual Miners Jubilee recently, a community event celebrating Baker City’s storied history. Watch our Instagram video by Jason Hill. 

OCF in the News

Oregon Capitol Chronicle: Oregon officials warn of fundraising, recovery scams amid ongoing wildfire season

KXL Radio: BottleDrop Progam Supports Wildfire Relief Fund

Salem Statesman Journal: A former family homestead in Salem is now a resource for people in need

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.