The Wildhorse Foundation, a community fund managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon, in partnership with Wildhorse Resort & Casino recently announced their grant awards for the first quarter.
Thirty-five organizations were awarded grants during this period in amounts ranging from $3,000 to $30,000 for projects in the areas of public health, public safety, arts, education, environmental protection, cultural activities, and salmon restoration.
The total amount awarded was $495,628.
“This was a highly competitive grant cycle, with over $1.5 million requested from 70 eligible applicants,” Wildhorse Foundation Administrator Ella Meyers said in a statement. “The organizations applying for funding are doing meaningful work in communities throughout our region, often while navigating ongoing funding challenges. We’re honored to play a part in supporting those efforts through these grants.”
In addition to the quarterly grants, five Oregon organizations recently received Rapid Response Grants, designed for small and immediate needs that surface throughout the year. These five grants of $1,500 or less were made to Central Middle School in Milton-Freewater; Irrigon Elementary School in Irrigon; Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc. in Hermiston; Umatilla Museum and Historical Foundation in Umatilla; and Winding Waters Clinic in Enterprise.
Each year, the Wildhorse Foundation makes grants to eligible nonprofit, government, and tribal organizations within the homeland area of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla people. Also eligible for funding are tribal government agencies or Native American charitable organizations with their base of operations within Oregon, as well as National or Regional Indian Organizations.
The Wildhorse Foundation has awarded more than $20 million in grant funding since its establishment in 2001. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis with deadlines of January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.
The formation of the Wildhorse Foundation was for formalizing the charitable giving on behalf of the CTUIR and Wildhorse Resort & Casino. Every step of the Foundation’s review and decision-making process is geared toward building strong communities and healthy families in the region.
Organizations and the grant amount awarded for the first quarter:
- Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol, North Powder, Oregon – $7,397
- Baker County Community Literacy Coalition Inc., Baker City, Oregon – $3,700
- Blue Mountain Land Trust, Walla Walla, Washington -$27,058
- Blue Mountain Therapeutic Riding, College Place, Washington – $3,000
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties, Pasco, Washington – $5,000
- Burns Paiute Tribe, Burns, Oregon – $22,850
- Camp Fire Walla Walla, Walla Walla, Washington – $8,750
- Carnegie Picture Lab, Walla Walla, Washington – $10,000
- City of Hermiston, Hermiston, Oregon – $30,000
- City of La Grande, Parks & Recreation Department, La Grande, Oregon – $20,000
- City of Milton-Freewater, Milton-Freewater, Oregon – $20,000
- City of Ukiah, Ukiah, Oregon – $16,000
- College Place School District, College Place, Washington – $18,000
- Columbia Walla Walla Fire District No. 2, Waitsburg, Washington – $16, 558
- Eastern Oregon Cancer Network, Pendleton, Oregon – $20,000
- Echo Rural Fire Protection District, Echo, Oregon – $22,240
- Friends of the Opera House, Elgin Oregon – $20,000
- Hands & Feet Inc., Pendleton, Oregon – $6,000
- Heppner Fire Department, Heppner, Oregon – $28,885
- Island City Parent Teacher Organization, La Grande, Oregon – $28,000
- La Grande High School, La Grande, Oregon – $3,700
- Oregon East Symphony, Pendleton, Oregon – $7,500
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, Oregon – $5,000
- Pendleton School District, Pendleton, Oregon – $20,000
- PNW Veteran Fishing Charter, Milton-Freewater, Oregon – $5,000
- Rural Engagement & Vitality Center, LaGrande, Oregon – $9.000
- Service Peace Warriors, Eltopia, Washingon – $6,000
- Southwest Center for Law and Policy, Madison, Washington – $4,575
- Therapeutic Riding of Tri-Cities, Kennewick, Washington – $8,298
- Umatilla County Fire District #1, Hermiston, Oregon – $10,000
- Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District, Umatilla, Washington – $18,581
- Walla Walla Alliance for the Homeless, Walla Walla, Washington – $25,000
- Walla Walla Fire Department, Walla Walla, Washington – $21,156
- Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness, Enterprise, Oregon – $12,000
- Willow Creek Valley Assisted Living Corp, Heppner, Oregon – $6,380
