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Charitable organizations in seven Oregon counties received an infusion of money from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation this morning during a grant ceremony at the Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino Resort.The foundation awarded $564,000 to 47 organizations - an increase of more than $150,000 over the money it gave during its winter cycle in January.
At that time, 37 organizations received funding.
The foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians. The event marked the 11th round of charitable giving for the foundation, which was formed in 1997, following a tribal-state compact that allowed the Seven Feathers Casino to expand gaming operations in exchange for donations totaling 6 percent of net gaming revenues.
The amount distributed is determined by reports of net revenues generated by the tribe's accounting department. Based on News-Review calculations, the casino earned close to $16 million last year.
"We had a little more money than usual this time, which was nice," said Martha Young, the foundation's administrator.
She said the number of applicants seeking gone up dramatically as a result of ballot measures that have reduced public funding for nonprofit groups.
The foundation has awarded 345 grants totaling more than $3.8 million since its inception. Total grants given in 2002 came to roughly $950,000.
The foundation awards grants to tax-exempt programs that will benefit families, strengthen communities and promote the welfare of children in Douglas, Coos, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane and Deschutes counties - areas where the tribe has roots.
Although she appreciates the success of Seven Feathers and the foundation's ability to support valuable programs, Cow Creek Tribal Chairwoman Sue Shaffer laments the fact that there is so much want.
"It's a little disconcerting because the need is so great," Shaffer said. "It just goes hand-in-hand with the downturn in the economy. We are grateful to be able to do what we can."
The tribe gained federal recognition in 1982, and is one of 557 tribes that the U.S. government recognizes as sovereign nations.
Nineteen local groups received funds.
Grants awarded to organizations in Douglas and Coos counties are:
* Glide Middle School - $10,000 for computer lab
* Oregon Children's Foundation - $20,000 to fund Start Making A Reader Today program in southern Douglas County
* Tri City Elementary School - $10,000 to support computer math curriculum
* South Umpqua School District - $6,500 to support at-risk girls group
* Canyonville School - $12,641 to purchase band instruments
* Days Creek School District - $4,000 to purchase equipment for FFA
* Wildlife Safari Game Search Foundation - $15,000 to expand math and science project
* Oregon Restaurant Association Foundation - $1,000 to sponsor one scholarship Southwestern Oregon Community
* Southwestern Oregon Community Action Council Great Afternoons --$8,000 for child-care center
* Myrtle Creek United Methodist Church - $10,000 for volunteer coordinator for after-school child care
* First Presbyterian Church - $3,500 after-school child care
* Umpqua Valley Arts Association -- $10,000 for arts in education programs in rural schools
* Umpqua Discovery Center -- $10,000 for natural history education exhibit
* Senior Volunteer Foundation --$5,000 for volunteer support costs
* Umpqua Community College --$20,000 to replace deteriorating library furniture
* Umpqua Community Development Corp. - $16,000 to furnish laundry room and playroom in the Grand Apartments
* Boys and Girls Club of the Umpqua Valley - $18,513 for technology program
* Coquille Indian Tribe - $5,400 for books for summer youth program
* Waterfall Clinic - $20,000 for low income health care clinic
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