The Cottage Grove Community Foundation is governed by an entirely volunteer board. It was formed in 1991 with the purpose of supporting the community and citizens of Cottage Grove by receiving, holding, investing and administering contributions and gifts for the benefit of the community.

The Foundation established a scholarship program by which donors can donate to the Foundation with the purpose of providing scholarships annually in the name designated by the donor. A total of $6,100 was awarded to eight (8) recipients in the first year and in 2022 over $136,000 was awarded to 100 recipients and total scholarships provided from 2002 through 2022 was over $1,318,810 to 1,221 recipients.

A community grant program was also established by which foundation funds may be used in support of other non-profit corporations. The grants in 2020 was over $16,000 and awarded to fifteen organizations helping children, families, the environment, business and culture important to the health and well being of area residents.

The Foundation can and does act as a pass through for donations of stock the proceeds of which are distributed to qualifying organizations as designated by the donor.

An endowment fund can be established with the Foundation for the purpose of which may be provided by the donor. Endowment funds may be used to provide grants, scholarships or to support other qualifying organizations.

A donor may also provide a bequest to the Foundation in his or her Will or Living Trust to be used as a legacy for scholarships or other purposes. Other estate planning tools are available to provide funds consistent with the Foundation’s purpose and to provide tax benefits to the donor.

The Foundation’s office is located at 1015 E. Main Street, Cottage Grove, OR. 97424. It is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Special appointments can be made by contacting the office. The phone number is 541 942-0014.