The Wildhorse Foundation, a community benefit fund established by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), hosted their annual Recipients Luncheon recently in Cayuse Hall at Wildhorse Resort and Casino.
Over 150 grant recipients from 2016 enjoyed lunch as Wildhorse Foundation Chairperson George Murdock presented details on funding for the last year. Four grant recipients from 2016 also spoke about the impact the Wildhorse Foundation has on their organizations. Speakers included Mike Ciraulo, Pendleton Fire Chief, Natalie Hansen from Yellowhawk Tribal Health Orthodontics Office, Richard Szymanski from the Martin Scout Ranch and Aaron Duff, Principle at Freewater Elementary.
The luncheon also celebrated passing a huge milestone, surpassing $10 million in giving. Over 1,750 local and regional non-profits have benefited from the nearly $10.2 million given by the Foundation since its inception in 2001.
In 2016, over $886,000 was distributed to 153 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.
Following the lunch, the Foundation Board, consisting of Chairperson Murdock, Vice-Chairperson Debra Croswell, Secretary/Treasurer Carrie Sampson, Aaron Ashley and John Turner, met to discuss the 2017 first quarter grant applicants.
A total of $264,541.14 was awarded to 41 organizations.
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.
