Grant funding in review

In September of 2016, the Pendleton Parks and Recreation applied to the Pendleton Foundation Trust for a grant for assistance with replacing and updating playground equipment at Aldrich Park, May Park and Sherwood Park. Some of the playground features had become unsafe, and newer, safer equipment was very much in need. This is a fine example of the kinds of grant requests that fit very well into our mission of the Pendleton Foundation Trust.

This particular project was of the “bundle” variety, a process that the State of Oregon uses when processing grants as an option to reduce the cost of similar projects by attempting to complete them all at the same time. This option is used commonly for curbing or street paving or similar capital projects. This was only the second successful bundling of playground equipment projects on record.

The process was not an easy one. To qualify for larger State of Oregon grants, private funding was also sorely needed in order to complete the projects. With assistance from the Pendleton Foundation Trust, the $145,000+ project budget was secured and the quest for new playground equipment was completed. Part of the urgent need of the project was recognizing the availability of playground equipment in local neighborhoods. All three parks needed attention not only due to the safety of the equipment available, but also the location of the parks and the ease of accessing nearby equipment for neighborhood children. Playground equipment technology has vastly improved over the years, replacing older unsafe spring operated equipment with safer, more appealing swings, climbers and slides.

The new equipment is wearing well, and should have a life of fun and accessibility for many years to come.

Capital projects like this one, along with the determination and creativity of our local city officials and citizens goes a long way to making Pendleton a great place to live. The many ways of accomplishing that are wide and varied. The Pendleton Foundation Trust takes your donations and ideas and strives to be uniquely suited to help your project in the future, and to help make Pendleton a fantastic community for our citizens of all ages.

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2019 Fall Grants Given

With great excitement, the Pendleton Foundation Trust board announces 2019 Fall grants

For Immediate Release (press release)

PENDLETON – The Board of Directors of the Pendleton Foundation Trust today announced that grants, memorial trust funds and scholarships given in 2019 will total $160,639.00. The seven-member Board of Directors recently met to consider applications at its semi-annual meeting final allocation of grants this year, reported David Blanc/Chairperson. The Pendleton Foundation Trust uses the earnings from money donated to the trust by individuals, organizations and estates for its semi-annual grant allocations. The board has awarded fall grants in the amount of $46,073.18 to the following recipients:

  • Sunridge Middle School, the sum of $10,890.00.00 for additional weights/ benches and support equipment more tailored to fit the needs of middle school students for the Training and Conditioning classes. 
  • Pendleton Early Learning Center the sum of $9,404.90 to purchase 30 iPads and 30 kid-friendfy cases for the computer lab. 
  • The Rivoli Theater Coalition the sum of $2,500.00 toward the Phase One construction costs of steel and concrete. 
  • Eastern Oregon Alcoholism Foundation the sum of $8,669.53 to renovate the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room at La Casa Vida/ the men’s transitional sober home in Pendleton. 
  • Pioneer Relief Nursery the sum of $11,861.79 to create a more extensive outdoor area with playground equipment for small children. 
  • Oregon East Symphony the sum of $2,746.96 to purchase fractional size instruments for instrument lending library to accommodate the OES “Symphony Strings” program. 

The Trust Board of Directors appreciates all contributions received by the Trust from individuals and civic organizations, whether given as a memorial, in honor of a birthday or retirement, a special occasion, or a general donation. Your gift gives back to the Pendleton community. A gift to the Pendleton Foundation Trust is a tax-exempt contribution and may be mailed to the Pendleton Foundation Trust, P.O. Box 218, Pendleton, Oregon 97801.

Board members are David Blanc, Pat Terjeson, Kevin Hale, Jerrod Spriet, Lonnie Read, Marie Half and Donna Biggerstaff. Jerri Bealer serves as secretary to the Pendleton Foundation Trust and can be reached at 541-276-3331. Please contact the secretary if you would like to be on the mailing list for our semi-annual newsletter.