Guidance Policies

Grant & Gifts to Educational Groups, Affiliates, Associations, or Organizations Policy

It is the policy of Spirit Mountain Community Fund that Universities, Colleges, or Public School District Level Programs or their affiliates having an IRS 501(c) 3 designation, including individual schools owned or operated by a federally recognized Tribe located within the State of Oregon, are eligible to apply for grants/gifts from SMCF under the “education” category.

Individual K-12 schools whether public or charter (as defined by P.L. 107-110, NCLB and/or ORS 3380) are not eligible to apply for SMCF grants/gifts within the “education” category even if they have a 501 (c) 3 designation or affiliated agency.

Individual schools, including those that are government-operated (federal or state) located in Lane, Polk, Tillamook and Yamhill counties, are eligible to apply for a SMCF grant. District-wide groups, associations, affiliates, or organizations, located within the 11 county service area, having an IRS 501(c) 3 designation are eligible to apply for SMCF grants/gifts within the “education” category provided the proposed project serves two or more schools within the same district and/or has a significant impact on the local community.

All public, private, or faith-based schools, including charter schools and their respective affiliates having an IRS 501(c) 3 designation are eligible to apply for SMCF grants/gifts under the “education” category provided the proposed project serves two or more schools within the district and/or has a significant impact on the local community. Faith-based schools need to be compliant with SMCF’s Grant & Gifts to Religious or Politically Affiliated Group or Organizations Investment Policy.

Religious Affiliated Groups or Organizations Investment Policy

It is the policy of the Spirit Mountain Community Fund that all grants/gifts to religious groups/organizations are conditional. Religious groups/organizations receiving grants/gifts from SMCF acknowledge that the clients/recipients will not be required to adopt the doctrines or beliefs of their entity nor require their clients/recipients to be exposed to proprietary media nor participate in rites/ceremonies or any other religious activity as a prerequisite for receiving service or benefit.

All religious groups/organizations, excluding Federally-recognized Tribes located within the State of Oregon, accepting SMCF grants/gifts will ensure that their end users’ (clients/recipients) exposure to proprietary media or participation in ceremonies or activities are strictly voluntary on the part of the client/recipient. A religious organization or group in principle, policy, or practice shall not require its’ clients/recipients to segregate themselves from customary program activities as a means of circumventing their exposure to proprietary media and/or participation in religious rites or ceremonies.

Services and benefits to clients/recipients will not be denied solely, or in part, based on the clients/recipients' refusal to either adopt the doctrine or beliefs of the religious entity or participate in ceremonies or other activities sponsored by the religious group or organization.

SMCF does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, physical circumstances, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law. Grant applicants must hold similar standards. Grant applications from organizations known to have discriminatory policies will not be considered.

Capital Campaign Requests

Capital campaign projects should be limited to those that are beyond the planning phase and have moved more towards the actual “bricks and mortar” construction phase of the project. Funding to support the later phases of a capital project will better insure that the project is successful and there will be tangible and measurable results from the investment.

Diversity

When addressing funding priorities, we remain mindful of our commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the nonprofit and government communities. Spirit Mountain Community Fund believes that when organizations embrace diversity at the Board level where resources are allocated and institutional goals are established, the likelihood that organizations will better embody and serve our increasingly diverse communities is enhanced. We seek to partner with and support those organizations that embrace the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership.