>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

"Here for Oregon. Here for Good'' is the theme of the Oregon Community Foundation's 2006 annual report. The foundation has demonstrated through the years that it is making a difference in the lives of Oregonians, whether it be through grants of $20,000 to the Wallowa Valley Health Care Foundation, $15,000 to Think Link in La Grande, $25,000 to the Dougy Center in Portland or $23,800 for the Women's Crisis Support Team in Grants Pass. The Oregon Community Foundation exists to help all of Oregon.

The foundation and its directors were in La Grande last week to hold a community celebration and a board meeting. The foundation wants to get the word out about how its funds contribute to a better Oregon.

Sadly, though, not enough people on the eastern outreaches of the state are aware of the work of the OCF. The foundation has nearly $1 billion between the various estates that have set up funds through the organization. Locally, among them are the Northeast Oregon Heritage Fund, the Glen and Jean McKenzie Fund, The Union County Cattlewomen's Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Robert W. Chandler Fund, the Leland C. and Erna N. Ratliff funds of Wallowa County. To date, the OCF oversees 28 funds from Union, Wallowa and Baker counties. What these funds, among others, provide is grant monies to non-profit organizations as well as college and trade school scholarships. The foundation has nearly 1,300 charitable funds that it oversees, distributing grants for multiple purposes — children and families, education, arts and culture, livability and of course scholarships.

Over the past 18 months, the foundation has distributed $376,000 in Northeast Oregon for charitable purposes and awarded $200,000 in scholarships for students from our region.

The OCF has managed, through sound investment strategies, to enhance the value of the funds by 14.7 percent in 2006, by 9.2 percent over five years and by 10.4 percent over 10 years — among the best records of community foundations throughout the country. At the same time, the foundation keeps administrative and investment costs at under 1 percent as a percentage of assets — the best in the country.

The foundation's success has resulted in a constant supply of grants being distributed throughout Oregon, including our region.

Northeast Oregon, and Oregon as a whole, should be proud of the OCF's track record. It is here for Oregon and it is here for good — in every meaning of the word. Anyone interested in finding out more about OCF — how to donate

or apply for grants — can go online to www.OCF1.org.