Cultural Coalitions
The coalition program – which receives 25 percent of the Trust’s grant money each year – allows Cultural Trust support to be deep – reaching every county in Oregon.
Oregon’s 45 county and tribal Cultural Coalitions, of which the Deschutes Cultural Coalition is one are funded directly by the Trust and are unique to the state. Led by dedicated volunteers, each coalition prioritizes community cultural goals and annually distributes seed grants that address the needs of each county. Among these are Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes, whose cultural contributions are integral to the region’s cultural vitality.
Cultural Coalitions ensure that Cultural Trust dollars reach every county in Oregon.
The coalitions have their own grant programs to address community needs and priorities. Their programs fund a broad range of cultural work including arts education, local history preservation projects, community theater and library programs for toddlers and elders.
With local autonomy, the coalitions involve the community in creating, sharing, documenting, celebrated and developing their cultural identity — a critical part of preserving our state’s cultural character.
Each coalition receives a base grant plus additional funds based on population. Without the Cultural Trust, many rural counties would have no access to state funding for culture. Contact information regarding upcoming grant opportunities to be posted