Reporter for The Canyon Weekly
A Salem-based foundation is offering $100,000 in scholarships and grants to schools, programs and organizations in Oregon that teach civic engagement and government.
The Oregon State Capitol Foundation’s Civics Education Program begins accepting applications for the funds from July 1 through Sept. 30. To apply and for more general information go to www.oregoncapitol
foundation.org or call 503-363-1859.
The program aims to empower students and adults to actively participate in Oregon’s democracy, engage in local and statewide decision-making and inspire them to make a difference.
“Oregon has always had strong citizen participation in building a better democracy and improving our quality of life,” said foundation board chair Bob Repine. “Our Civics Education program goal is to keep Oregon’s citizen-involvement efforts strong.”
The foundation has spent $150,000 on grants 2022. Here is a look at the seven recipients in the 2023 round of grants, which totaled $80,000:
– The Civics Learning Project, for an extracurricular high school program focused on constitutional issues and national competitions;
– Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington, to expand activities for a civics education badge;
– Next Up, a nonprofit that mobilizes teenagers to organize, engage and vote;
– The Oregon Business and Industry Foundation, for a school-based statewide civics contest;
– Politisit, to provide childcare support for parents attending public agency meetings;
– The Portland State University Foundation, for its NEW Leadership Oregon program to train aspiring local and state leaders; and
– Young Leaders, for a high school summer camp program where governing systems are experienced and explored.
