Washington County, Oregon - The Cultural Coalition of Washington County opens its 2010 grant cycle on February 22nd.  Washington County based not-for-profit arts, heritage and humanities organizations may apply for $1000 or $2000 grants for activities or projects that support goals of the Washington County Cultural Plan including: public awareness and participation; cultural learning; cultural and economic development; and support for existing cultural organizations.  The Coalition is also offering a $5000 grant to a 501c3 organization for a strategic program or activity that addresses county-wide goals and benchmarks of the Cultural Plan.  Online applications and detailed grant guidelines for the Community Cultural Participation grant program are available online through the Regional Arts and Culture Council website at http://www.racc.org/grants/cultural-coalition-washington-county. 

The grant application period ends April 1st.  The Coalition will determine grant awards in May, and funds are to be used for projects taking place between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.  Interested parties are encouraged to attend the grant orientation sessions scheduled for Wednesday, March 3rd from 3-5pm, Centro Cultural, 110 N. Adair St, Cornelius or Thursday, March 4th from 9:00-11am, Beaverton Resource Center, 12500 SW Allen Blvd, Beaverton. 

The Coalition (formerly the Washington County Arts, Heritage and Humanities Coalition) was established in 2005 to distribute funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust to promote the cultural identity, quality of life and economic vitality of Washington County and its arts, heritage and humanities organizations.  The Washington County Cultural Plan can be found at http://www.westsideculturalalliance.org . The Coalition has distributed over $120,000 in grants to Washington County based organizations over the last five years. 

The Oregon Cultural Trust was established by the Oregon Legislature to strengthen Oregon’s culture through the establishment of a permanent endowment.  The Trust primarily receives funding from the sale of Cultural license plates and from gifts from individuals and businesses through an Oregon State tax credit program.  The Trust invests a portion of proceeds from the endowment in annual grants to Oregon counties and tribal planning groups, funding for statewide cultural agencies, and competitive grants to cultural non-profits.  To learn more about the Trust or to make a donation please visit the website http://www.culturaltrust.org.