FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Regarding Eligibility
How often can we get a grant from the Three Rivers Foundation?
An organization can only have one grant open at any given point in time.
Does our non-profit really need 501(c)(3) status?
Yes, grants can only be made to organizations with 501(c)(3) status or to governmental entities. Be sure to check and make sure that your organization is not further classified as 509(a) as this then makes the organization ineligible.
My organization is located outside of Oregon, may we apply to the Three Rivers Foundation?
No. Grants are only made to organizations who are located in Oregon.
My organization is located outside of the five-county primary service area of the Three Rivers Foundation, may we apply for a grant?
Possibly. If your project is specifically targeted in one of the five-counties of the Three Rivers Foundation’s primary service area, or your project addresses issues specifically important to Native Americans in Oregon, or your project provides “state-wide” benefits – you may be eligible apply to the Three Rivers Foundation.
Our project impacts multiple counties, one of which is in the primary service area of the Three Rivers Foundation, are we eligible to apply?
Yes. As long as one of the counties impacted is in the five-county primary service area of the Three Rivers Foundation and your organization is located in Oregon, you are eligible to apply.
Questions Regarding Grant Making Process
Does the Foundation have specific targets by program priority and geography?
No. Decisions are made based on the applications received for the funding round and not based on any formula.
How large of grant can we apply for?
The Three Rivers Foundation does not have minimum or maximum grant limitation.
Questions Regarding Grant Submission Process
Can we send a “concept letter” to see if the Three Rivers Foundation is interested in funding us?
No. We currently do not have the staff resources to screen and respond to submissions outside of our standard procedures.
I couldn’t get everything together before the deadline to apply. Can I send what I have and complete the rest of the information later?
No. In order to be responsive to the needs of our applicants, the Three River Foundation works within very tight timelines. If you cannot gather all the information needed by the deadline, you may want to consider applying in the next funding round.
We produced a really nice video on our organization. Can we send it to you?
No. Please only send the information requested in the application.
I would like to hand-deliver my application. Where should I drop it off?
The Three River Foundation is supported by volunteer staff and Trustees. Therefore, we do not have a physical location where you can drop off an application. We offer submission via an online application here on our website.
Why can’t I submit my grant application prior to the opening of the application period?
The Three Rivers Foundation is run by volunteers and is only open for a short period of time. This means that we stick to specific timelines in order to allow our volunteers to know when to be available.
Can I talk with someone from the Three Rivers Foundation prior to preparing my application?
Yes. Any inquiries can be submitted to Shelby Erickson as serickson@threeriverscasino.com who will respond as soon as she is able.
We would like to make a presentation to your Trustees, is this allowed?
No.
The spatial limitations included in your grant narrative do not allow me enough room to tell our story. Can I extend my answers beyond these limitations?
No, all information must be presented within the spatial imitations indicated in the grant application.
We have grant applications to other foundations. Can we just send you a copy of these so we don’t have to prepare a new application.
Grant applications must be submitted via the Three Rivers Online Application Form and narratives must be within the guidelines requirements of the Three Rivers Foundation. Applications that do not meet these requirements will be considered ineligible and not be considered for grant funding.
Questions Regarding Post-Award Activities
Our organization would like to send you a thank you gift for the grant you have awarded us. Is that alright?
Although we appreciate your sentiments, we would prefer you to spend your limited resources on serving your constituents.
Why does the foundation need to review our press releases about the grant?
We do not want to interfere with your publicizing of the grant, but we do want to make sure that all information provided about the Three Rivers Foundation and our grant making process is accurate.