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.

2023 Helping Hands Nominations Are Now Open

Nomination letters for this year’s yeʔlan lima award (A Chinuk Wawa phrase meaning: Helping Hand) are being accepted October 23 through November 13, 2023.

Award Categories:

Non-paid volunteer
Paid non-management staff
Paid management staff

Learn More Here

Our 2022 Annual Report

In 2022, we celebrated 25 year's of giving and formed new and continued partnerships to assist our local communities!

Our 2022 Mental Health Video

We value mental healthcare in our communities, and we are proud of the many grants we have funded in this field since 1997! Please check out our commercial to learn 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.

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Oregon Tribal Grants

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

Oregon Tribal Grants

GRANTEE HIGHLIGHT

Church at the Park

Church at the Park is a non-profit organization located in Salem, Oregon since 2007. They provide emergency sheltering, case management, and numerous other services ranging from serving meals, laundry services, showers, and mail service. C@P is focused on providing three things for our unsheltered neighbors: low-barrier and housing-focused shelter, workforce development, and relationship focused outreach.

Low-barrier sheltering is provided through micro-shelter sites where we offer emergency housing for people of all ages, regardless of race, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sobriety, or mental health. They allow people to remain with pets, partners, and property, which helps to remove a barrier that would often preclude them from seeking shelter or services elsewhere. C@P works alongside guests to exit shelter into more stable housing. In the last year, C@P has supported over 500 households in their journey toward health and wholeness.

Learn more about Church at the Park