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Cow Creek Foundation gives almost $375,000 to 36 educational, nonprofit and charitable organizations this spring.
Foundation awards: Tribe gives $373,120 to 36 charitable organizations, most from Douglas County
CANYONVILLE - The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation awarded more than $373,000 to 36 educational, nonprofit and charitable organizations across southwest Oregon during its annual presentation of grants on Thursday.
The event marked the seventh cycle of charitable giving for the foundation and the Cow Creek Tribe of Umpqua Indians tribe since the organization was established in 1977. It has given 184 grants totaling more than $1.9 million in the last three years.
As part of a casino compact made with the state, the tribe gives 6 percent of its annual revenue to charitable organizations. The foundation, which receives roughly 100 grant applications each year and gives awards to about one-third of those, tries to give money to aid education, strengthen families, enhance youth programs and add to the quality of life in southwestern Oregon.
Norm Gershon, a former Douglas County legislator and Gov. John Kitzhaber's appointee to the Cow Creek Foundation board, served as emcee during Thursday's presentation.
Among the Douglas County recipients, Battered Person's Advocacy received $10,500 for its transitional housing development, which Gov. Kitzhaber dedicated in Roseburg last month.
Vanessa Becker, executive director of the organization, accepted the award, which will be used for a community center and playground equipment for New Dawn Terrace. The facility is composed of five townhouses that provide transitional housing for women with children and single women, who are victims of domestic violence.
"It's a really exciting time," Becker said. "This money will be the cap on top of a project we've been developing for four years."
The Cobb Street Learning Center in Roseburg received $15,000 to pay for tuition of children whose parents are coming out of drug treatment.
Sister Jenita Richter said the learning center is in greater demand these days as parents are completing rehabilitation programs.
Unfortunately, they have no money or place to take their children while they seek employment.
We're working to keep these children with us," she said. "This needs to be done. We need to save these children."
The Douglas County Family Fun Center, which will soon be affiliated with Boys and Girls Clubs of America, received $9,960 for its teen center.
Executive Director Steve Barnhardt thanked the foundation, saying the grant is an investment in the future of area children.
The Sunny Wolf Community Response Team in Wolf Creek also was awarded $16,500 for its teen center.
Eileen Zink, that center's executive director, told the foundation although the community is small, it serves about 200 children annually. The money will be used for an addition to the building.
Robert C. Proudfoot, a professor of international studies at the University of Oregon and an Iroquois Indian, attended the event with Dave Hubin, executive assistant to the president of the university. Together, they accept the largest grant given during the ceremony—the $20,000 biannual Buster ”Buss” Rondeau Award.
The late Buster Rondeau was an early member of the foundation and a longtime influence on the tribe since it sought recognition more than 20 years ago.
Tribal Chairwoman Sue Shaffer was in tears as she, gave the award, which will be used for the construction of a "Many Nations Long House" on the UO campus.
The 5,200-square-foot long house will serve as a cultural and social center for Native Americans. It will be modeled after the traditional long houses of the Kalapouya tribe.
The university plans to recruit more Indian students, as they represent the smallest minority group on campus.
"This is a very special award,” Shaffer said. "This is the most difficult award to give.... We give this with joy, but with regret that have to."
Proudfoot spoke to the board in his native language, saying the words serve as a greeting to both the living and the ancestors who have gone before.
He also complimented the tribe for its charity, saying he believed their ancestors must be watching with pride.
Grants given by the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation to organizations in Douglas County included:
The Sutherlin School District received $10,000 for the development of a community athletic field;
Fullerton IV Elementary School PTO in Roseburg earned $3,000 for playground equipment;
South Umpqua High school gained $ 18,507 to update computer equipment;
Tri City Elementary received $10,000 toward playground equipment,
Oregon Children's Foundation received $13,000 for the SMART program in Tiller, Canyonville and Days Creek schools;
Oakland High school gained $4,000 for a student landscaping project;
Lincoln Middle School in Oakland received $5,730 for a student-community fitness course;
Oakland Elementary school gained $8,000 to enclose an outdoor playground structure;
Days Creek High School FFA gained $3,500 to upgrade equipment
Battered Persons' Advocacy in Roseburg received $10,500 for a transitional housing project;
Southern Oregon Community Action Agency gained $5,000 for child services to Reedsport families;
Cobb Street Learning Center in Roseburg received $15,000 toward child-care tuition for drug treatment program graduates;
the Douglas Education Service District gained $5,000 for parent training tuition;
Southwestern Oregon Community College CARE Connection earned $5,000 for child-care provider training;
the Riverside Center received $18,075 for playground equipment, the Douglas County Fun Center received $9,960 for its teen center;
and the Umpqua Community Action Network received $15,000 to help support the Warmline Information and Referral Service.
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