Who we are

The Spirit Mountain Community Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. The Tribe donates six percent of casino revenue to registered 501c3 nonprofit organizations in northwest Oregon, as well as government agencies in Lane, Polk, Tillamook and Yamhill Counties, and to the nine federally recognized Tribes of Oregon, through the Spirit Mountain Community Fund.

Through our grant programs, we promote the sustainability, inclusion and advancement of underserved communities in Oregon, while being reflective of the Tribe’s history, culture and values.

2024 Helping Hands (Ye lan Lima) Nomination Are Now Open

Nomination letters for this year’s ye lan lima awards are being accepted October 23 through November 12, 2024.

The Spirit Mountain Community Fund frequently celebrates the success and remarkable achievements of our nonprofit partners. However, the individuals within these inspiring organizations often don’t receive the recognition they deserve. We hope you will assist us in finding that one special “helping hand” in your organization or community by sending us your nomination for the 2024 yeʔlan lima award.

Your nominee may be a volunteer, a co-worker, a manager/supervisor, or someone you know that is affiliated with a partner nonprofit organization.

To learn more about how to make a nomination, click on the link below.

Spirit Mountain Community Fund Seeking Nominations 10 8 2024

Our 2023 Annual Report

We are proud of our past year in giving and much more!

Mission

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, through the Spirit Mountain Community Fund, supports efforts that address the health, education and social needs of Oregonians, primarily in underserved communities. We invest in the achievements of our youth and assist with removing obstacles preventing those successes. By promoting equity and diversity, we embody our belief that all Oregonians can flourish together when we understand our shared and unique history. We honor and promote tribal sovereignty and culture by aiding in their restoration, preservation and protection now through seven generations.

Vision

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, through the Spirit Mountain Community Fund, continues the Native tradition of potlatch, a ceremony at which good fortune is distributed. Through our grant awards, we promote sustainability, inclusion and the advancement of underserved communities, including Oregon Tribes. Our primary focus is to improve the quality of life for all people living in Northwest Oregon through effective philanthropic investments that are consistent with the Tribe’s culture and values.

Our Story

In October of 1995, the tribe opened the doors of Spirit Mountain Casino, which quickly became the #1 Tourist Attraction in Oregon. Once our Tribal leaders realized the success of the casino, they wanted a way to give back to the communities who supported them during their most difficult time, the termination era. So they proposed to donate six percent of casino revenue to nonprofit organizations in northwest Oregon.

The Spirit Mountain Community Fund awarded its first grants in 1997 to Life Flight and Portland Art Museum. Today, we continue to support nonprofit organizations in Northwest Oregon through our competitive grant programs. We encourage grant seekers to learn about the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde at www.grandronde.org.

Grants we offer

General Purpose Grants

As a responsive funder, we support a wide range of nonprofit organizations and projects through a competitive grant program. We offer two general purpose grant programs, Small Grants and Large Grants.

Learn More

Oregon Tribal Grants

This annual grant program is open to all nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon.

Oregon Tribal Grants

GRANTEE HIGHLIGHT

Acres of Hope Youth Ranch

AOH serves youth 12-19, all of which have experienced trauma of some kind. During the 2022-23 school year, we served 80 youth with 55 on our waitlist. Thanks to generous donations and support from our community partners all of our programs are offered at no cost to the youth or their families.

AOH’s effective model is based on the work of Rebecca Britt, BSW, ESMHL author of Stable Moments: Life Skills for Healthy Transitions to Adulthood. Through this model, AOH teaches youth how to communicate with their horse through body language, energy and pressure. This helps them develop trust and confidence, creating a greater capacity for empathy, social, and self-awareness. As AOH youth become more comfortable with both their horse and mentor, their ability to heal also increases. This ultimately leads to a greater willingness to apply themselves at school, home and in the community dramatically improves.

For youth that have suffered from trauma, a trusting relationship can be a foreign concept. When this happens, a horse can be a fantastic start for building a trust-based relationship. The ultimate goal of our work is for youth to have a safe place to heal and then transition their newfound skills from connecting with a horse to connecting with other humans therefore succeeding at school, at home, and in life. Acres Of Hope is a place where youth can feel safe by meeting with a consistent mentor who they trust, and form an unconditional bond with their horse.

Learn more about Acres of Hope Youth Ranch