The fund advisors of the Gray Family Fund seek to fulfill John and Betty Gray’s faith in the human spirit.  The family acknowledges their responsibility to give back to the systems that nurture all of us:  our culture, our natural environments, and our communities. 

Environmental Education Program

The Environmental Education Grant Program seeks to encourage a strong local land ethic, sustainable communities, and stewardship of the natural environment by citizens throughout Oregon. 
The Fund is committed long term to institutionalizing a series of age appropriate experiences that build a sense of place and responsibility towards Oregon and the region.

Funding Goals for Grants

• Strengthening and developing programs that provide outdoor experiences for youth from early childhood through grade 12.
• Creating, expanding and improving programs that connect schools with their communities and provide students with practical hands-on experience in addressing environmental issues both locally and globally. 
• Creating lasting change in education systems to foster improved understanding of and interaction with our natural systems.
• Encouraging programs that connect creativity with the natural environment.

Application deadlines are February 1st and August 1st. Grants will be made in May and November. A final project Evaluation is required at the completion of the grant, or one year after the grant is made. Most grants range from $10,000 to $40,000, unless the project is a multi-year effort.  Multi-year projects will be reviewed one year at a time. Please apply for no less than $5000.

For more information please go to:
Gray Family Fund Environmental Education Program Description
2008 Request for Proposals
Evaluation Framework
Environmental Education Resources

Please email inquiries to: enviroed@ocf1.org or call Lara Utman at The Oregon Community Foundation 503-227-6846.

2008 Application (Word document)
Evaluation Report Form (Word document)

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