A total of $196,200 was awarded to 33 organizations during the first quarter of 2016, according the Wildhorse Foundation.
The Wildhorse Foundation, a community benefit fund established by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), also recently hosted its annual Recipients Luncheon in Cayuse Hall at Wildhorse Resort and Casino.
Over 150 grant recipients from 2015 enjoyed a specially prepared lunch as Wildhorse Foundation Chairperson Kathleen Peterson presented details on funding for the last year. The Wildhorse Foundation awards grants to applicants that cover the areas of public health and safety, education, the arts, historic preservation, gambling addiction services, salmon restoration, environmental protection, and cultural activities. A heavy emphasis of the giving fell under the Education category followed by Public Health, and Public Safety.
Among the recipients of the latest round of grants from the foundation include the Boardman Firefighters Associaton which received $5,484,000 for fitness and wellness equipment; the Heppner Fire Department which received $10,560 to help with the construction of a new fire hall and the purchase of new equipment; the Hermiston Police Department which will use the $4,432 in grant money to purchase active shooter first aid kits; and the Umatilla School District received $5,000 to expand its equipment storage facility.
The complete list of grant recipients can be found online.
More than 1,600 local and regional non-profits have benefited from the nearly $9.3 million given by the Foundation since it’s inception in 2001. In 2015, over $810,000 was distributed to 132 organizations in the Foundation’s giving area which includes Umatilla, Union, Morrow and Wallowa counties in Oregon; Benton, Columbia and Walla Walla counties in Washington and National Indian Organizations.
During the luncheon, a Pendleton Wool Blanket was presented to Woodrow Star in appreciation for his service on the Wildhorse Foundation Board of Directors.
