Conversations with Funders’, April 1

Trust Manager Aili Schreiner will join with colleagues from the Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Heritage, Oregon Humanities and the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office April 1-7 for “Conversations with Funders,” a five-stop state tour to discuss how cultural nonprofits may apply for more than $4.7 million in collective grant funds this year. Among the grant opportunities discussed will be the Cultural Trust’s 2016 Cultural Development Grants; grant guidelines are now posted for an application deadline of May 15. Organizations encouraged to attend include libraries, arts organizations, museums, cultural centers, historical societies, arts alliances, literary groups and heritage organizations. “There are more than 1,400 cultural nonprofits serving Oregonians,” said Schreiner. “We want to make sure they know about the grant funds that are here to support their activities.” “Conversations with Funders” begin Wednesday, April 1, in Springfield and conclude April 7 in The Dalles. Conversations also are scheduled in Coos Bay, Bend and Oregon City. The schedule, with participants, locations and registration links, are: Wednesday, April 1 – 9:30-11:30 a.m.: Richard E. Wildish Theatre, Springfield; 2-4 p.m.: Cedar Room, Coos Public Library, Coos Bay. Presenters: Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Humanities and State Historic Preservation Office. Registration is encouraged but not required. Register at http://bit.ly/1CRvOxi. Information on all grant programs will be available at all events. Oregon Cultural Trust Cultural Development Grants: The Oregon Cultural Trust’s Cultural Development Grants recognize and support significant cultural programs and projects through four grant categories: access; preservation; creativity; and capacity. New guidelines posted for 2016 also encourage applicants to consider how their projects might help broaden awareness of the value of culture. As 2014 was a record fundraising year for the Trust, a record amount will be available for grants, which last year totaled more than $600,000. Cultural Development Grants represent one third of the annual funding the Trust provides to Oregon’s cultural nonprofits. Other funding includes grants to the Trust’s five statewide partners – to support their projects and respective grant programs – and to 45 county and tribal cultural coalitions that fund local initiatives and grants. 2016 Cultural Development Grants are for projects and activities that will occur between Aug.1, 2015 and July 30, 2016. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Friday, May 15. Guidelines are posted here: http://bit.ly/1G8KAwx.