Logo for InfluenceWatch InfluenceWatch

Donate
Non-profit

Oregon Community Foundation

Website:

oregoncf.org/
Location:

Portland, OR
Tax ID:

23-7315673
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $355,016,955
Expenses: $224,526,358
Assets: $2,633,081,849
Type:

Community Foundation
Founded:

1973
President/CEO:

Lisa Mensah

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

The Oregon Community Foundation is the sixth-largest community foundation in the United States as of 2019. 1

In 2016, the foundation began focusing on addressing what it called an “opportunity gap” among children from low-income families compared to higher-income peers. 2 The Oregon Community Foundation stated the circumstances of birth along with “longstanding patterns of discrimination” will determine the quality of a child’s life. 2

The Oregon Community Foundation has adopted the “environmental, social and governance” (or ESG) strategy of investing. 3 The foundation had BlackRock MSCI World Equity ESG Screened Fund as one of its five “social impact pool managers.” 3

The foundation stated that “equity, diversity and inclusion” were a part of its strategic plan. 4 In 2022, the Oregon Community Foundation announced a $100,000 matching grant to a nonprofit to support a guaranteed-income program for Black families. 5

Funding

The Oregon Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The foundation’s total revenues have increased from $129.9 million in 2018 to $310.3 million in 2020. 6 The foundation’s total assets were $2.6 billion in 2020 and that increased to $3.7 billion in 2021. 7

The Oregon Community Foundation gave grants to 4,090 organizations in 2021 and 3,025 students received scholarships from the foundation. 7

In 2022, the Oregon Community Foundation issued 24 grants totaling $480,000 for “Black Student Success Grants.” 8

In 2021, the Oregon Community Foundation said it gave $580,000 in grants to business owners hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. 7 The “priority” went to nonprofits that offered business aid to “people of color, women and rural entrepreneurs.” 7

The National Basketball Association’s Portland Trailblazers partnered with the Oregon Community Foundation in August 2022 to distribute $450,000 in grants to organizations that serve youth that are “historically underrepresented and marginalized.” 9

Leadership

Oregon Community Foundation CEO and president Max Williams announced in October 2021 that he would step down from his position at the end of 2022. 10 Williams was director of the state’s prison system for eight years before working at the Oregon Community Foundation. 10 The Oregonian described Williams as a “moderate Republican legislator turned prison reformer.” 11

Lisa Mensah was named CEO and president of the Oregon Community Foundation in June 2022. 12 Mensah was president and CEO of Opportunity Finance Network, a national network of more than 270 community development financial institutions 13 and served as a key “policy voice” for organizations addressing inequities in urban, rural and Native communities. 14 She was also served as Undersecretary for Rural Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the Obama administration. 15

Equity Diversity and Inclusion

The foundation stated that it advances “equity, diversity and inclusion” with its strategic plan. 4 The foundation has a Board Equity Committee that influences the work of the foundation. 4 The Equity Committee’s work is designed to lead to the Oregon Community Foundation being a “model for equity, diversity and inclusion within the philanthropic sector.” 16

Guaranteed Basic Income for Black Families

The Oregon Community Foundation gave a $100,000 matching grant in 2022 to the Black Resilience Fund that would give up to 50 Black families a guaranteed basic income of as much as $2,000 a month for three years. 5 There were more than 7,500 people who applied within the first 24 hours of accepting applications. 2

Environmental, Social, and Governance

The Oregon Community Foundation invests its endowed funds in a social impact pool that are subject to “environmental, social and governance screenings,” also known as ESG investing. 3

In 2017, the Oregon Community Foundation listed BlackRock MSCI World Equity ESG Screened Fund as one of its five “social impact pool managers.” 3

The Oregon Community Foundation highlighted Modernist Financial, a left-of-center wealth management firm, 17 with a profile in its 2021 annual report with a headline of “Taking a Values-Based Approach.” 7 Modernist Financial Founder and CEO Georgia Lee Hussey spoke as follows about tax planning: “Is it really all about spending as little as you can on taxes?” suggesting that the “collective benefit” that taxes provide is not being discussed with clients. 7 “Does it really all have to go to your kids?” Hussey asked. 18

Modernist Financial helps clients choose ESG investments and asks about giving from asset sales “as a form of reparations” and refers clients who want to do this to the Oregon Community Foundation. 18
Hussey sits on the Oregon Community Foundation’s Metropolitan Portland Leadership Council. 7

Modernist Financial stated in a July 2021 newsletter that its goal was to “dismantle racial wealth inequality.” 19 Modernist Financial and Oregon Community Foundation co-hosted a virtual event in September 2021 and Modernist Financial described the foundation as “one of our non-profit heroes!” 19

References

  1. Community Foundation Census 2021. Accessed Aug. 29, 2022. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58c5af6729687fbc123160a6/t/623be4c11d5d395dc274ddc6/1648092353864/Community+Foundation+Census+2021+-+PDF+Version.pdf
  2. Oregon Community Foundation. Opportunity Gap. Accessed Aug. 29, 2022. https://oregoncf.org/community-impact/opportunity-gap/
  3. Oregon Community Foundation. Guide To The OCF Investment Program. 2017. Accessed Aug. 27, 2022. https://oregoncf.org/Templates/media/files/OCF_Investment_Program_Guide.pdf
  4. Oregon Community Foundation. About. Accessed Aug. 29, 2022. https://oregoncf.org/about/equity-diversity-inclusion-commitment/
  5. Nigel Jaquiss. “Portland Nonprofit Will Provide Guaranteed Income”; Williamette Week. Aug. 7, 2022. Accessed Aug. 29, 2022. https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/08/07/portland-nonprofit-will-provide-guaranteed-income/
  6. Oregon Community Foundation. Form 990. Part I. Summary. 2020. Accessed Aug. 29, 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237315673/202123159349308512/full
  7. Oregon Community Foundation. 2021 Annual Report. Accessed Aug. 27, 2022. https://oregoncf.org/assets/PDFs-and-Docs/PDFs/OCF-Annual-Report-2021.pdf
  8. [1] Oregon Community Foundation. Press Room. Black Students Success Grants Resources. Accessed Aug. 27, 2022. https://oregoncf.org/press-room/
  9. Portland Trail Blazers. “Trail Blazers Foundation Awards 35 Grants To Community Programs Through ‘Live Greener, Learn And Play’ Program”; Aug. 2, 2022. Accessed Aug. 29, 2022. https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail-blazers-foundation-awards-35-grants-to-community-programs-through-live-greener-learn-and-play-program
  10. Tori Lieberman. “President And CEO Of Oregon Community Foundation Announces Departure.” Williamette Week. Oct. 7, 2021. Accessed Aug. 23, 2022. https://www.wweek.com/news/city/2021/10/07/president-and-ceo-of-oregon-community-fund-announces-departure/
  11. Les Zaitz. “Max Williams, Leaving Oregon Corrections Department, Says Offer Too Good To Pass Up”; The Oregonian. Nov. 14, 2011. Accessed Aug. 23, 2022. https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2011/11/max_williams_leaving_oregon_co_1.html
  12. Oregon Community Foundation. “After A Six-Month Extensive National Search, Oregon Community Foundation Is Pleased To Welcome Lisa Mensah As OCF’s New CEO And President”; Accessed Aug. 28, 2022. https://oregoncf.org/mensah/
  13. Confluence Philanthropy. Opportunity Finance Network. Accessed Aug. 23, 2022. https://www.confluencephilanthropy.org/Opportunity-Finance-Network
  14. MacArthur Foundation. Opportunity Finance Network. Accessed Aug. 23, 2022. https://www.macfound.org/grantee/opportunity-finance-network-4355/
  15. [1] Oregon Community Foundation. “After A Six-Month Extensive National Search, Oregon Community Foundation Is Pleased To Welcome Lisa Mensah As OCF’s New CEO And President”; Accessed Aug. 28, 2022. https://oregoncf.org/mensah/
  16. [1] Oregon Community Foundation. About. Accessed Aug. 29, 2022. https://oregoncf.org/about/equity-diversity-inclusion-commitment/
  17. Modernist Financial. Accessed Aug. 27, 2020. https://modernistfinancial.com/
  18.  [1] Oregon Community Foundation. 2021 Annual Report. Accessed Aug. 27, 2022. https://oregoncf.org/assets/PDFs-and-Docs/PDFs/OCF-Annual-Report-2021.pdf
  19. [1] Modernist Financial. July 2021 Newsletter. Accessed Aug. 27, 2022. https://www.modernistuniversity.com/blog/2021/july-newsletter
  See an error? Let us know!

Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: November 1, 1973

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Dec Form 990 $355,016,955 $224,526,358 $2,633,081,849 $65,388,375 Y $310,329,701 $1,371,228 $14,976,418 $903,604 PDF
    2019 Dec Form 990 $232,236,926 $140,754,193 $2,274,086,320 $65,628,610 Y $203,858,879 $1,107,007 $18,117,459 $874,313 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $129,993,102 $125,941,493 $1,870,262,580 $56,212,967 Y $84,893,339 $667,417 $14,463,595 $972,500 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $169,040,779 $116,579,036 $1,945,213,322 $59,877,631 Y $131,122,689 $537,467 $14,510,042 $1,987,178 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $88,576,386 $113,713,556 $1,672,463,945 $56,279,701 Y $60,056,745 $508,236 $13,517,433 $1,803,674 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $89,800,893 $111,199,861 $1,608,791,803 $50,064,779 Y $68,470,235 $453,636 $20,158,457 $1,611,722 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $137,117,259 $95,224,247 $1,669,366,943 $47,990,058 Y $87,197,421 $425,232 $15,332,982 $975,981 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $161,435,783 $83,603,164 $1,631,794,155 $51,115,565 Y $89,538,384 $526,654 $16,724,821 $778,869 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $152,786,224 $77,318,577 $1,429,874,155 $47,739,122 N $124,221,233 $100,251 $13,534,584 $699,373 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $261,013,515 $95,017,496 $1,265,344,760 $50,076,369 Y $240,010,370 $102,103 $14,281,305 $802,125 PDF
    2010 Dec Form 990 $134,407,184 $67,778,869 $1,137,793,879 $49,320,936 Y $107,016,771 $94,766 $11,214,139 $762,440 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Oregon Community Foundation


    Portland, OR