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COLLINS FOUNDATION

Collins Foundation

Contact information:

1618 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 505
Portland, OR 97201-5706
Phone: 503-227-7171
Fax: 503-295-3794
E-mail: information@collinsfoundation.org

Website: www.collinsfoundation.org

Type of foundation: Independent

Types of grants: Capital, equipment, matching/challenge support, program-related investments/loans, research.

Description: The Foundation was created in 1947 by Truman W. Collins and other members of the family of E.S. Collins. It makes grants in the areas of:

  • Arts.
  • Children and youth.
  • Community welfare.
  • Education.
  • Environment.
  • Health and science.
  • Humanities.
  • Religion.

Sample grants:

  • $240,000 to Oregon Public Broadcasting, Portland, OR for Oregon Field Guide and The NewsHour television programs and to upgrade broadcast center (2007).
  • $150,000 to KBPS Public Radio Foundation, Portland, OR for purchase of the station's operating license from Portland Public Schools (2006).
  • $17,000 to Oregon Council for the Humanities, Portland, OR for Education Initiative programs and statewide radio project (2005).
  • $10,000 to Portland Community Media, Portland, OR for Youth Voices project to engage at-risk youth in designing and creating community-service messages (2006).
  • $5,000 to MediaRites, Portland, OR for general operating support (2005).  

Fit for public broadcasting: The Foundation has made multiple gifts to public media. The Foundation has made eight grants for radio/television projects over the past six years, totaling more than $621,000. 

Eligibility: Giving limited to Oregon, with emphasis on Portland. No support for individual religious congregations, elementary, secondary or public higher educational institutions. No grants to individuals, or for endowments, operational deficits, financial emergencies, debt retirement or annual fundraising activities.

Deadline: None

How to apply: Initial approach should be by phone call, rather than by letter of inquiry. Alternately, applicants can just submit a full proposal. Do not send proposals electronically. If applicant's program/project is time sensitive, submitting two months in advance of a Board meeting is recommended. The Board meets in February, April, June, August, October and December. A complete description of the application process is available online. Application form not required.  

Giving range: The average gift for radio/television projects is approximately $77,000. The Foundation has made gifts as high as $750,000.

Assets: $142,615,693 (2008) 

Total giving: $8,288,890 (2008)

WEBINARS/CONFERENCE CALLS

Building a Strong Art Works Proposal for the National Endowment for the Arts
Watch the recording and download the resources from this May webinar on NEA's Art Works program and other NEA Media Arts grant opportunities. Air Date: May 29, 2013.
Strategies for Grantseeking Success: Building for the Future
Watch the recording from this webinar in the Grant Center's Strategies for Grantseeking Success series for tips on building long term relationships with foundations. Air Date: January 29,...

NEWSLETTERS

Read the Grant Center's May 2013 newsletter.
Read the Grant Center's April 2013 newsletter.