PORTLAND, Ore. — This fall, the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning awarded $31,500 to seven nonprofit civic programs in the Portland area.
The Foundation’s civic and community grants are one of four groups of awards each year. Other award categories are education, arts and culture, and health and human services. 

“As the charitable arm of Pacific Power, we intend to remain a strong part of the communities we serve,” said Isaac Regenstreif, executive director of the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning. “These Portland-area projects receiving grants are helping individuals and the environment.”

The following Portland-based organizations were awarded grants:

Human Solutions, Inc. – Daybreak Shelter Network - $4,000
Helping homeless families with children in North and Northeast Portland neighborhoods rebuild their lives with safe, emergency shelter. The Daybreak Shelter Network serves up to 15 family members per night year round.

Inroads/Oregon, Inc. – Learn Today Lead Tomorrow Project - $2,500
Inroads develops and places talented minority youth in business and industry, and prepares them for corporate and community leadership. This program is recruiting Native American college students interested in learning leadership skills through paid internships.

Nature Conservancy of Oregon – Youth for Conservation environmental education program – $10,000 
Conservancy youth crews receive a high level of training and work on a range of sophisticated conservation problems including invasive species control, prescribed fire, ecological monitoring and restoration planning. These mostly at-risk groups work at the same site over a year or more, allowing participants to assume greater leadership and ownership of the project.

Oregon Zoo Foundation – ZAP and UNO youth programs – $3,000
The Zoo Animal Presenters (ZAP) and Urban Nature Overnights (UNO) provide hands-on experiences with animals and the natural world for underserved youth, and those with little access to animal or nature-based experiences. The project provides overnight visits for 150 youth, ages 8-11 from five youth organizations in North and Northeast Portland. The project also provides training and work experience for teens who staff the UNO overnights.

Rebuilding Together – Portland – Low-income home rehabilitation - $5,000
Since 1997, Pacific Power employees have donated more than 2,000 volunteer hours to rehabilitate nine homes of customers with the Rebuilding Together-Portland project. Rebuilding Together rehabilitates the homes of low-income homeowners, particularly families with children, the elderly and disabled, so that they can continue to live in warmth, safety and independence.

The Earth and Spirit Council – Earth Arts Education program - $2,000
Between January and June 2006, fourth and fifth grade students and teachers at Harvey Scott School in Northeast Portland will work with Earth Arts to create and publish The Columbia River Storybook. The book will include tales inspired by the Chinook Tribe, the Corps of Discovery and the natural history of the Columbia River region.

SMART – volunteer hour matching program - $5,000
SMART is Oregon’s leading nonprofit program dedicated to early literacy, serving kindergartners through third graders at risk of low literacy and its associated negative outcomes. Adult volunteers read individually with two children for one hour a week during the school year. SMART children also receive two new books per month to keep and read with their families.

The Foundation’s mission is to foster strategic sustainable learning initiatives that serve the best aspirations of individuals, organizations and communities, and that enhance and develop their capabilities to address significant challenges and opportunities.

While the Foundation allocates most of its grants to nonprofits that support learning projects, it does maintain flexibility to invest in programs and projects that best serve community interests.

To apply for a grant, and to review specific eligibility requirements, please go to www.pacificorpfoundation.org

About the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning

The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning was created and incorporated as a corporate foundation in 1988 in order to become the major channel of philanthropy for PacifiCorp, Pacific Power and Utah Power. PacifiCorp and its employees have a long tradition of active involvement in the communities served by Pacific Power, including charitable contributions, sponsorships of community events and in-kind donations.

Media inquiries:newsdesk@pacificorp.com