Oregon Foundations, Les Schwab Tire Centers Partner To Provide At Least $1 Million In Wildfire Preparedness Support For Rural Communities (Photo) - 06/30/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Colin Fogarty
Director of Communications
Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Foundations, Les Schwab Tire Centers Partner to Provide At Least $1 Million in Wildfire Preparedness Support for Rural Communities
Tires and quick-response grants going to rural fire services and the organizations working to prepare communities for wildfire season
TROUTDALE, Ore. – As Oregon heads into the July 4 holiday weekend and what is forecast to be a severe fire season, a coalition of philanthropic and business partners is helping rural fire services, government agencies and nonprofits to get ready and respond. Oregon Community Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation and Les Schwab Tire Centers today announced a coordinated package of support totaling at least $1 million in grants, alongside a statewide tire donation program to strengthen rural fire agencies before fire season takes hold.
The initial commitment of at least $1 million from partner foundations and additional anonymous funders will provide quick-response grants to support the nonprofits working to prepare communities and responding when needed.
“Philanthropy doesn’t replace first responders — we work right behind them,” said Kim Koenig, OCF’s Director of Community Programs and Disaster Response.
“When a fire breaks out in a rural community, the volunteers who respond deserve equipment that works and a support system that can move quickly. We know from experience that the road to recovery after a disaster is longer than anyone wants — our Disaster Readiness and Response Fund is built to be there for the long haul, from preparation through the long period of rebuilding.”
Les Schwab Tires in-kind tire donation addresses critical need
Les Schwab Tires will donate $100,000 worth of tires from its Tires for Purpose program to Rangeland Fire Protection Associations statewide, addressing a critical and often overlooked need: fire truck tires are subject to extreme wear and heat stress during wildfire response, and replacing them is a significant operational expense for volunteer departments.
“We are excited to use our Tires for Purpose program to help make sure our Rangeland Fire Protection Associations are well equipped for safety on and off the road ahead of fire season,” said Bill Tester, Les Schwab store manager in Sandy, Oregon. “We’ve grown as a company to more than 600 stores across 15 states, but Oregon is our home. A safe and thriving Oregon matters to us. Our first responders deserve our support.”
The partners made the announcement at Gresham Fire Station #75 in Troutdale at the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, the site of a massive wildfire in 2017.
Preparing first responders before disaster strikes
Oregon’s rural communities rely heavily on volunteer firefighters and local fire districts that operate with limited budgets and equipment. City departments like Gresham’s must be ready to fight wildfires in the places where rural and urban areas meet.
“Wildfires don’t wait until we’re ready,” said Mike Traeger, Assistant Chief of the Gresham Fire Department. “Every tire, every piece of equipment and every hour of training makes a difference when the call comes. Resources like these mean firefighters can respond faster, work more safely and stay on the fire line longer.”
The July 4 holiday weekend historically marks one of the most dangerous periods of fire season, with dry conditions, wind and human activity combining to heighten risk across the state. Add to that this year’s drought, a record-tying warm winter and low snowpack, and officials are deeply concerned about the coming fire season.
“This year is shaping up to be a bad fire year,” said John Bailey, Professor of Silviculture and Wildland Fire at the Oregon State University College of Forestry. “We can act now to prevent destructive wildfires, and that’s why this investment is so important.”
Supporting communities before, during and long after disaster
OCF’s Disaster Readiness and Response Fund brings donations starting at $25 from across the state into a single funding pool, enabling OCF to quickly deploy grants when disaster strikes. The fund supports emergency response as well as preparation — including fire mitigation, specialized equipment, training and emergency supplies — and long-term recovery.
The foundation partners are members of the Oregon Disaster Funders Network, a partnership of mission-driven organizations working to build a stronger and more resilient Oregon.
“The Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation is proud to stand alongside members of the Oregon Disaster Funders Network to support Oregon communities ahead of wildfire season,” said Meghan Campbell, Program Officer at the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation. “Coordinated regional philanthropy has an important role to play in meeting urgent needs before and after disasters, and we are deeply grateful to the first responders who bravely care for and protect our communities.”
“Rural communities often face the greatest risks with the fewest resources, and the impacts of wildfire can last long after the flames are out,” said Kara Inae Carlisle, President and CEO of The Ford Family Foundation. “That’s why we’re coordinating with partners from the Oregon Disaster Funders Network to support rural communities as wildfire season approaches, so we can mobilize resources quickly and stand ready to respond.”
Apply for quick response funds.
Apply for tires.
Donate to the Disaster Readiness and Response Fund at OCF.
About Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Community Foundation was founded in 1973 with a mission to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In partnership with donors and volunteers, OCF works to strengthen communities in every county in Oregon through research, grantmaking and scholarships. Each year, OCF distributes more than $200 million in grants and scholarships. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, please visit oregoncf.org.
About Les Schwab Tire Centers
Les Schwab Tire Centers (www.lesschwab.com) started in 1952 with just one small tire shop in Prineville, Oregon. After more than 70 years of building on our founder’s belief in honesty, service and hard work, Les Schwab Tires is one of the leading independent tire dealers in the United States and the nation’s top-ranked tire retailer by Consumer Reports for 2026. Now, more than 9,000 employees in more than 600 locations across 15 states take pride in doing the right thing every day. That shows up in our unique tires–those we crafted specifically for the roads our customers drive on. It’s in the best tire warranty in America. It’s in how we stand behind the promise to do more for customers and communities, every step of the way.
To view the full 2026 ratings and learn more about this recommendation, visit: https://www.lesschwab.com/consumer-reports
About The Ford Family Foundation
The Ford Family Foundation believes in the power of rural communities. It is a private, nonprofit foundation proudly headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon, serving rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. Its investments through grants, scholarships and community building create the conditions so that children have the family, educational and community supports they need to succeed in life.
About Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation
The Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation honors the life and legacy of Marie Lamfrom by directing strategic philanthropic support — in education, community, arts, creativity, health, and well-being — to those who need it most in Oregon. Guided by values of authenticity, equity, and optimism, the Foundation partners with nonprofits to empower underserved communities, alleviate human suffering, and foster lasting, positive change across the region.
About Oregon Disaster Funders Network
Oregon Disaster Funders Network (ODFN) is a network of PNW grantmakers coordinating across and beyond the philanthropic sector to minimize the economic, social, and environmental impacts of disasters, especially on underserved populations and in disinvested communities. ODFN provides a single entry “starting point” platform for community needs, reaches disaster-impacted communities with resource navigation, and elevates funding requests, opportunities and obstacles to the Network’s 40+ grantmakers. ODFN shares resources, strengthens relationships and mobilizes funding. Learn more at OregonDisasterFundersNetwork.org
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