America 250 Oregon Commission Announces Oregon 250 Grant Program First Round Awardees - 10/27/25

Portland, OR — July 4, 2026 — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the foundational document of American democracy — is exactly 250 days away. To commemorate this milestone, the America 250 Oregon Commission, in partnership with Oregon Heritage and the Oregon Historical Society, are pleased to announced the recipients of 13 grants awarded to museums, historical societies, local governments, veterans organizations, and community nonprofits across Oregon. 

The Oregon 250 Grant Program was established to help organizations create inclusive, community-focused projects that highlight Oregon’s diverse histories, traditions, and cultures. The grants, ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 each, will support programs that align with the mission of America 250 Oregon and one or more of its seven guideposts, which are:

• To inspire Oregonians to participate in the work of forming a more perfect union.
• To highlight the importance of civics and history education in building a better future.
• To highlight the work of Oregon’s many history and heritage organizations.
• To encourage a robust, thorough, and honest examination of our collective history.
• To celebrate the unique traditions, arts, and cultures of communities throughout Oregon.
• To honor the service and sacrifice made by Oregon’s veterans.
• To celebrate the power of place through Oregon’s remarkable landscapes and scenic beauty.

The following organizations were awarded grants in the Oregon 250 Grant Program’s first funding cycle:

Benton County Historical Society, Benton County
Grant funding will support two exhibits for the 250th anniversary: Centuries of Celebration at its Philomath museum site and Strength, Struggle, Survival: Our Community’s Response to 250 Years at its Corvallis museum site.

Cape Blanco Heritage Society, Curry County
Grant funding will support the creation of a scale model of a historic house and ranch that tells a local, regional story that will enhance the visitor experience and support local tourism.

City of Sweet Home, Linn County
Grant funding will support a year of events, enhancements to existing traditions, and public history displays to honor the 250th anniversary while showcasing the community’s rich local history.

Coos County Historical Society, Coos County
Grant funding will support Waves of Tradition, an exhibit that will celebrate the diverse maritime traditions and scenic beauty that shaped Oregon’s South Coast in honor of the 250th anniversary.

Embrace Bend, Deschutes County
Grant funding will support the CivicLab Project, a community-centered initiative designed to spark civic engagement and inclusive dialogue in Central Oregon.

Garibaldi Maritime Museum, Tillamook County
Grant funding will support the Port of Garibaldi: The Story of a Coast Guard City exhibit at the museum, which features the city’s relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard and honors active duty and retired Coast Guard veterans.

McMinnville Downtown Association, Yamhill County
Grant funding will support the creation of placemaking projects to enhance the community, support the city’s economic vitality, and encourage dialogue and connection.

Oregon Firearms Safety Coalition in partnership with Rogue Cell Recon, Clatsop County & Tillamook County
Grant funding will support the Veterans Stories Project, which honors the service and sacrifice of Oregon’s veterans by collecting and sharing their stories through a series of short interviews conducted across the North Coast region of Oregon.

Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, Multnomah County
Grant funding will support digitizing collections that will be featured in an interactive component in Practicing Democracy: Jewish Civic Leadership and Engagement in Oregon, the museum’s forthcoming exhibition to commemorate America 250.

Sandy Historical Society, Clackamas County
Grant funding will support a collection survey and assessment to facilitate a deeper understanding of collection holdings, gaps, and further work that needs to be completed in order to better represent all the diverse members of the community.

Santiam Heritage Foundation, Marion County
Grant funding will support history presentations in several heritage organizations in Marion County during 2026 to highlight local history and the organizations preserving local history.

Warrior Impact, Deschutes County
Grant funding will support the development of a cohort in Central Oregon to support veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders through small-group experiences that foster trust, growth, and lifelong connections.

Woodburn Museum, Marion County
Grant funding will support the Sapper: Sgt. Wayne Woodruff and the Great War exhibit, which shares the history of the combat engineer during World War I who later settled in the Woodburn area.

Kerry Tymchuk, chair of the America 250 Oregon Commission and executive director of the Oregon Historical Society, said, “We are grateful to the Oregon State Legislature for providing funds that will encourage Oregonians across our state in marking this once-in-a-generation opportunity to commemorate our nation’s past while also looking forward to a brighter future.”

A second funding cycle will open on Monday, January 5, 2026, and will remain open until March 1, 2026, or until funds are depleted. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible projects.

More information about the Oregon 250 Grant Program can be found at oregon250.org, including the grant guidelines.

Submit Your Event to the America 250 Oregon Community Calendar

The America 250 Oregon Commission invites individuals, organizations, and communities across the state to participate in our state’s official 250th commemoration by hosting events that reflect the diversity, creativity, and history of Oregon. Whether you’re planning a lecture, festival, exhibition, performance, community conversation, or something entirely unique — the commission wants to hear from you!

To be featured on the America 250 Oregon community calendar, your event must align with at least one of the commission guideposts — the foundational values guiding our semiquincentennial commemoration effort in Oregon.

Fill out the Event Submission Form if you would like your event included on the America 250 Oregon community calendar. All submissions will be reviewed and could take up to 3 weeks for response. Please submit a separate form for each program, project, or event you plan to host. Approved events will receive the “America 250 Oregon Official Event” logo for inclusion on promotional materials.

America 250 Oregon Traveling Exhibitions

The America 250 Oregon Commission is currently offering two traveling exhibitions that are available to rent at no cost!

The Power of Place highlights Oregon’s awe-inspiring landscapes, from its rugged coastline to its tranquil valleys and majestic peaks, many of which have remained unchanged for centuries.

The Pursuit of Happiness shifts the focus to the people and communities of Oregon and the way we gather to celebrate the diverse cultures that define our state. 

Both exhibitions are also available to view for free online here.

Get Involved

If you or your organization is interested in getting involved with the America 250 Oregon commemoration, please contact oregon.250@ohs.org or sign up for the official America 250 Oregon email list.

About the America 250 Oregon Commission

The mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.