Grants
Thanks to the continuing generosity of the legal community, the MBF has awarded over $170,000 since 2006 to area nonprofits' civic education programs. Meet this year's recipients.2012 Grant Cycle
Grants are given to local nonprofits whose civic education programs or projects promote participation in or increase the public's understanding of the judiciary. More information can be found on the Grant Information page.2011 Grants
$30,150 Awarded to Six Area Nonprofits for Exciting Civic Education Programs: Bus Project, Classroom Law Project, League of Women Voters of Oregon, MetroEast, SOAR and the MBA YLS YOUthFILM Project.Bus Project Foundation was awarded $8,000 for Democracy Cup, a new program that will utilize young professionals and educators to teach Multnomah County high school students about civic participation and voting, and engage students in a voter registration competition with the goal of registering thousands of students, family and community members.
Classroom Law Project received $12,000 for Youth Summit, which provides Portland Metro area middle and high school students a unique opportunity to study a current public issue in depth, looking at multiple viewpoints and then discussing this topic with leaders in the community, using a congressional hearing format.
League of Women Voters of Oregon Education Fund was granted $650 for "Oregon Taxes" Fast Fact Flyer, a quick source of factual information on Oregon tax structure, laws and regulations; the flyer will be distributed statewide via League events, candidate forums, town hall meetings, community fairs, schools, libraries, social media and through League partnerships such as AAUW, AARP and city clubs.
MetroEast Community Media was granted $3,500 for "The Courts and You | Legal Logic," a public affairs show about the role of the legal system in maintaining a safe and peaceful society, featuring such topics as the importance of maintaining an impartial judiciary. The broadcast will reach 350,000 households in Multnomah County through Comcast Cable and will be available on demand, online and on KZME radio.
Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees (SOAR) was awarded $5,000 for the Voter Education Project, part of their New Americans Initiative, which teaches newly naturalized citizens in the tri-county area about the voting system and helps them register to vote. The goals of the Voter Education Project are full immigrant and refugee integration, civic participation and voter engagement.
YOUthFILM Project was granted $1,000 for the screening and promotion of their 2011 film event. The MBA YLS presents an annual student filmmaking contest for Oregon and southwest Washington children in grades K-12, with a legal or civics issue theme based on the ABA's Law Day theme.
2010 Grants
$40,000 Awarded to Six Area NonprofitsThe MBF has awarded grants to six nonprofit organizations serving the Portland Metro area. In fulfillment of the mission of the Civic Education Fund, these organizations were selected for their civic education and participation programs.
Bus Project Foundation received $5,000 for their PolitiCorps Community Training Initiative, to train college seniors and recent graduates in civic and community organizing processes and engage them in their communities and civic activities. The program will serve 500 young adults up to the age of 24 in Multnomah County.
Classroom Law Project was granted $15,000 for the 2011Youth Summit which provides middle and high school students an opportunity to study a current legal topic in depth and discuss it with community leaders using a congressional hearing format. Over 1,200 Portland Metro area students and their teachers will participate.Photo: 2009 Youth Summit participants
Elders in Action was awarded $10,000 for their Civic Education Awareness Project (CEAP). Speaking engagements and community outreach events provide civic education opportunities for older adults and encourage civic engagement. The CEAP will reach an audience of 7,000, age 60 and up in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties.Photo left to right: Collin McKean, CEAP Steering Committee; Peter Glade, MBF Grants Committee chair; Robert Mandelson, Elders in Action President; Lynne deVries, Elders in Action Vice President; and Leslie Foren, Elders in Action Director of Operations
League of Women Voters of Portland Education Fund was awarded $3,000 for the 2010 Voters' Guide, Multnomah County Edition and Candidate/Ballot Measure Forums, which provide nonpartisan information about candidates and ballot measures for the primary and general elections; 17,500 copies of the guide will be distributed; forums will be taped for cable and online viewing.
League of Women Voters of Oregon Education Fund received $5,000 for Oregon Student Mock Election 2010 - Portland Metro Component. This hands-on program teaches the election process and the importance of voting, civic participation and leadership. Over 40,000 students, elementary grades through high school, in over 110 schools will participate.
YLS YOUthFILM Project received $2,000 for the filmmaking contest for grades K-12 that ties into Community Law Week and culminates with a screening and awards. Funding is for the screening, promotion and awards; and to provide access to equipment and mentoring resources. Students in Oregon and SW Washington may participate.Photo: Chief Justice Paul J. DeMuniz with 2010 award winners
2010 Grant Cycle
The MBF awarded $40,000 to promote civic education and participation among school children, young adults, seniors and voters of all ages. Grants awarded in 20102009 Grants
MetroEast Community Media - With a $5,000 grant from the MBF in 2009, MetroEast Community Media, in partnership with Multnomah County Office of Citizen Involvement, has created Community Involvement is Civic Engagement - a public service announcement (PSA) campaign that promotes volunteerism in county government. Topics include Animal Services, Sheriff's Office, Library, Volunteer at Multnomah County, Department of Community Justice and Office of Citizen Involvement. The PSAs, which include MBA members Heather Weigler and Amy Hoven, are currently running on Comcast Cable & Verizon FiOS channels in English and Spanish and are available as downloadable video files to be shared with other nonprofits.Photo: Producers Emily Vidal, left and Kate Reynolds editing PSAs for Community Involvement is Civic Engagement campaign.
