Oregon Natural Resources Education Fund

APPLICATION WINDOW: JANUARY 1 - MARCH 1 ANNUALLY

The Oregon Natural Resources Education Fund invites proposals from high school organizations providing natural resources education. Funding is available for natural resource related tools, equipment, technology and other educational resources. Grant recommendations are made to the OCF board of directors by the Oregon Natural Resources Education Fund Advisory Committee, individuals nominated by the ONREF Association.

Grant deadline: Annually on March 1 by 5:00 pm

Granting range: $500 to $2,500, but larger awards may be considered in special circumstances.

Application Form

Please download the overview brochure and the grant application form for more detailed information about this grant program and its application process.

Completed applications must be submitted by email to onref@oregoncf.org with the subject line: “ONREF Application – Organization Name”

Funding Guidelines

ONREF Grant Funds support public or private high schools in Oregon that commit to provide educational opportunities in the field of Forestry. These Forestry Programs of Study focus on instruction that will integrate the subject areas of wood products, silviculture, harvesting, fisheries, wildlife, water, soils, recreation, and management of other forest-related natural resources of Oregon and provide students with related career and leadership development.

Please review the ONREF funding guidelines for proposal eligibility and qualifications.

In addition to the main fund, which is available statewide, ONREF has four Subfunds that each have specific funding objectives and local representation on the advisory committee. Current Subfunds include:

Terry Selby Subfund: Available to qualified programs in Benton County, Oregon

Pleasant Hill Subfund: Currently available statewide; preference given to schools in Lane and Linn counties

The Oregon Society of American Foresters (OSAF) Subfund: Available statewide to qualified programs with the added commitment to promote post-secondary education in forest-based natural resources education

Oregon Small Woodlands Association (OSWA) Subfund: Available statewide to qualified programs with the added commitment to promote post-secondary education in forest-based natural resources education

Grantee Reporting

A final report is required to be submitted within 30 days of completing the funded project. Please download the grantee reporting form and send your completed report electronically to Pete Sikora at PeteS@giustina.com.

Staff Assistance

If you have any questions after reviewing the information available on this page, please contact:

  • Michael Oreste, Program Officer, Donor Impact: moreste@oregoncf.org
  • If you are interested in making a gift to the Oregon Natural Resources Education Fund, please contact: Liz Lawrence, Philanthropic Advisor, Southern Willamette Valley: llawrence@oregoncf.org