Amazon is accepting applications for the Amazon Eastern Oregon Community Fund, a community grant program that supports local initiatives in Eastern Oregon.
Amazon has committed $175,000 to the fund, which is open to individuals, local community groups, schools, non-profits, and other organizations. This is the fourth community fund Amazon is launching to support local projects driving positive change in Morrow and Umatilla counties.
Nonprofit applicants for this year’s fund can apply for grants up to $10,000, individuals and community groups can apply for up to $5,000. Project themes include: sustainability & environment, health & wellbeing, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM), future workforce development, economic development & leadership, inclusion, diversity & equity, homelessness, and hunger. Applicants can also apply for funding to introduce one of six established community programs that have been successful in other communities across the world.
“The Amazon Community Fund is about empowering local innovation in Eastern Oregon,” said Paul Butler, community engagement manager at AWS. “We believe that transformative ideas often come from within the community itself. This fund is designed to be a catalyst, turning local insights into tangible projects that can make a real difference. We’re excited to see how the creativity of Eastern Oregon residents will shape the future of their communities.”
Applications for the Eastern Oregon Community Fund will be accepted until Feb. 15 and will be managed and administered by non-profit organization ChangeX. ChangeX will review applications, and will assess and score them against funding criteria and the positive impact to the community, especially underserved populations. All successful applicants will complete a 30-day challenge to kick-start their idea and take their first steps towards making their project a reality.
The Amazon Community Fund is just one way Amazon is striving to make a positive difference in Eastern Oregon. Amazon also supports STEM education for school age children through programs such as Amazon’s Girls’ Tech Day, designed to inspire and empower girls and young women to pursue interests and careers in technology.
This launches the second of two application cycles, with a committed total of $350,000. The first round of funding was awarded to 39 local nonprofits, community groups and individuals in late 2024. To apply and for more information on the fund, click here to access the ChangeX platform.
ChangeX is a non-profit organization with a community engagement platform designed to get funding and resources directly into citizens’ hands to lead impactful projects in their neighborhoods. The ChangeX team works with social innovators across the world to find proven solutions to environmental, economic, and social issues, partnering with companies and foundations to support communities with the necessary funding.
