2020 has been a year of challenges and hardships for many, particularly nonprofit organizations in the community.
The pandemic’s impact on the economy has forced people out of work, businesses to close and nearly everyone to tighten up their belts. That means fewer donations to groups that serve the most vulnerable in the community.
Adding to the strain is the fact that the pandemic has created a greater need for the services provided by nonprofits.
Julia Galan is an on-site manager at Martha’s House, a drug-free transitional housing program in Hermiston. Since the pandemic started, more families have turned to Martha’s House for food and shelter, with some staying longer than six months. If a family or single mom had several children, finding comfortable sleeping quarters could be a challenge.
So, Galan was grateful when the Eastern Oregon Mission, which oversees Martha’s House, received a $1,500 grant to purchase six sets of double bunk beds for several of its studio apartments.
“We were in need of these beds here for a long time,” said Galan. “That was a huge help. Some of our rooms only had one double bed.”
The grant came this spring from the Greater Hermiston Community Foundation, which awarded its first six grants since forming several years ago.
Domestic Violence Services (DVS) received $3,500 to purchase two washer-dryer sets for its shelter in Hermiston. The city of Stanfield received $1,000 to develop an 18-hole disc golf course. Echo received a $2,500 grant to buy and install a community reader board. Two additional $1,000 grants went to TruCare Pregnancy Resources in Hermiston and the Funland Community Playground Rebuild in Hermiston.
Kathryn Chaney, executive director of DVS, said the new washers and dryers were badly needed.
“The old ones were nine years old,” she said. “They get a lot of use.”
Chaney said the grant was particularly helpful during the pandemic.
“We were able to take advantage of the COVID relief, but that will end, so we are grateful to receive it,” she said. “It was really delightful working with the foundation. It’s a wonderful addition to the types of resources that nonprofits can turn to.”
The foundation began accepting grant applications early this year once its endowment had reached $200,000. Only interested earned on the endowment is used for grants – the endowment is never touched, said foundation board member Dennis Barnett.
The foundation’s endowment is currently over $330,000 with the goal of reaching $500,000 in 2021.
“That will give us the ability to distribute additional funding to the community,” he said. The foundation’s board members also hope to award $20,000 in grants next year – doubling this year’s total.
Nate Rivera, another foundation board member, said the focus of the foundation is more broadly based than others.
“The flexibility we have is unique,” said Rivera. “Others focus on specific areas like sports, health or education.”
Rivera said the foundation’s aim is to fund projects that have long-term benefits to the community.
“We prefer brick-and-mortar projects over school trips,” he said. “We want to see things that will have a lasting impact.”
Barnett said he wants to give back to the community that has provided him with almost everything he has.
“I came here with a college education and a little bit of money in my pocket,” he said. “Everything I have now I owe to this community. My goal is to give the Dennis Barnetts of the world a chance to give back.”
The foundation will begin accepting new grant applications in January.
To learn how to make a donation or apply for a grant, visit the Greater Hermiston Community Foundation’s website.
