Florence, Ore. — The Three Rivers Foundation, the charitable arm of Three Rivers Casino Resort, awarded $850,000 in grants
to 83 organizations across Oregon, continuing its mission of investing in programs that strengthen communities, support
families, and improve quality of life throughout the region.
“This is one of the best times here at the casino, to see the smiles on everybody’s faces when we hand them the checks and announce their names,” said Tribal Chief Doug Barrett of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw
Indians. “It’s a proud day for the Tribes and Three Rivers Foundation, for all the work that this money is going to do for the
communities.”
Established in 2011 by the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, the Three Rivers Foundation has
distributed millions of dollars to nonprofit organizations throughout Oregon, supporting programs and services that create lasting
change in local communities. This year’s grant cycle represents one of the Foundation’s largest community investments to date,
helping support organizations focused on public safety, youth services, housing, health care, food security, education, cultural
preservation, and community development.
Triangle Food Box received an $8,000 grant from the Three Rivers Foundation to support programs that help families facing
food insecurity in rural communities. Especially during COVID and ever since, “I will say that the importance of our mission
has become clearer,” said Bryn Tomlinson, board secretary for Triangle Food Box. “We have had a lot of opportunities to
connect with these families, cry with them and celebrate with them because these things really are life-changing in our area.”
At a special luncheon held at Three Rivers Casino Resort in Florence, nonprofit leaders gathered to celebrate the impact of
the grants and partnerships that are helping strengthen Oregon communities.
The Florence Police Department received a $35,000 grant from the Three Rivers Foundation to purchase speed radar signs and
flashing stop signs designed to improve safety for residents and visitors,” said Florence Police Chief John Pitcher. “To be able to
do these things for our community, to provide these extras, to help protect them and provide them some different resources,
we wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”
Organizations receiving support this year represent communities throughout Oregon, including Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry and
Lincoln counties.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs of Emerald Valley received a $10,000 grant from the Three Rivers Foundation to help expand its Bethel
Clubhouse as it moves into the former Shasta Middle School,” said Shelly Ivey, Chief Executive officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of
Emerald Valley.
“There’s such a need in our community for a safe place to be after school. These funds allow us to keep our prices intentionally low so that every kid who needs a safe place to be after school can afford it.”
“We’re super excited to receive this grant and have the opportunity to do some focused investigations on property crimes here in West Lane County,” said Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold Wilkerson. “We’ve had a rash of burglaries and thefts, and with only one deputy assigned to West Lane County, it can be difficult to dedicate the extra investigative effort these cases require. This grant will help us fund overtime and focus on those property crimes that are impacting our communities. Grants are harder to get right now. Federal grants are extremely competitive, and state funding has diminished, so the opportunity to receive
support from a local stakeholder like the Three Rivers Foundation is exciting.”
“With the state of the country right now, it’s a little rough for a lot of families to make ends meet,” said Tribal Chief Doug Barrett of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. “So, if we can help with that, that’s a good thing.”
2026 Award Summary
- Coos County: 19 organizations
- Curry County: 2 organizations
- Douglas County: 14 organizations
- Lincoln County: 3 organizations
- Lane County: 43 organizations
- Other Counties / Statewide: 2 organizations
Total: 83 organizations
Coos County- Coos-Curry Electric Charitable Foundation
(Coos & Curry Counties) – $15,000 - Oregon Coast STEM Hub/Agricultural Research Foundation –
$1,704 - Fishing Poles for Kids Oregon Coast – $5,000
- Agape Respite Center – $5,000
- Lakeside Rural Fire Protection District – $12,491.31
- Myrtle Point Chamber of Commerce – $2,000
- Myrtle Point Senior Citizens Center – $5,000
- The Evergreen Quest – $6,000
- Coquille River Lighthouse Keepers Inc – $2,200
- Oregon Coast Music Association, Inc. – $7,000
- Knights of Columbus – $5,000
- Soldiers of Compassion – $5,000
- Coos Beekeepers – $3,339
- Hearts with a Mission – $15,000
- Coos County Habitat for Humanity – $20,000
- Financial Beginnings – $10,000
- Bright Beginnings Christian Preschool – $8,500
- Food Backpacks for Kids – $10,000
- Pregnancy and Parenting Center – $1,800
Curry County- The Common Good – $10,000
- South Coast Community Aquatics – $15,000
Douglas County- Glide Revitalization – $10,000
- Community Cancer Center – $10,000
- CCD Business Development Corporation – $5,000
- Umpqua Valley Farm to School – $10,000
- Sleep in Heavenly Peace – $5,500
- St Francis Community Kitchen – $10,000
- CASA of Douglas County – $10,000
- Conference of St Vincent de Paul Society of Myrtle Creek –
$15,000 - NeighborWorks of Umpqua – $15,000
- The Fish of Roseburg – $10,000
- Safe Haven Maternity Home – $10,000
- Douglas County Cancer Services (DCCS) – $5,000
- Source One Serenity – $6,500
- Oregon Coast School of Art – $9,170
Lincoln County- Yachats Rural Fire Protection District – $18,299
- Oregon Coast Youth Symphony Festival Association – $5,000
- Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue – $5,790
Lane County- General Assembly of the Church of God – $8,000
- Florence Senior Center – $4,700
- Siuslaw High School – $10,000
- Siuslaw Valley Charter School / Whitmore Classical Academy –
$26,373 - Florence Police Department –$35,000
- Friends of Florence – $10,000
- Oregon Coast Military Museum – $10,000
- Safe Shelter for Siuslaw Students – $6,960
- Florence Community PTA – $15,000
- McKenzie Little Eagles Childcare Center – $10,000
- Junction City Police Department – $15,000
- Keeper’s of Heceta Lightstation – $9,000
- Junction City School District – SkillsUSA – $15,000
- Triangle Food Box – $8,000
- Mapleton Food Share – $20,000
- Mapleton School District – $18,000
- Rose Children’s Theater – $1,200
- Lane Council of Governments – $4,725
- Oregon Cancer Foundation – $25,000
- Back2Youth – $5,000
- OSLC Developments, Inc. – $10,000
- Lane County Sheriff’s Office – $25,000
- HIV Alliance – $6,000
- Kids First – $20,000
- Shelter Care – $12,000
- Community Supporter Shelter – $10,000
- Boys and Girls Club of Emerald Valley – $10,000
- Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras – $15,000
- Relief Nursery, INC – $15,000
- Ophelia’s Place – $15,000
- A Family for Every Child – $10,000
- Eugene Science Center – $9,000
- Hosea Youth Services – $25,000
- Bags of Love – $3,000
- Bethel Education Foundation – $12,015.76
- Veterans Legacy – $3,000
- Lane DUII Victim Impact Panel – $4,000
- One Hope – $8,000
- Food for Lane County – $10,000
- Head Start of Lane County – $5,000
- Lane County Diaper Bank – $5,000
- Mohawk Valley Rural Fire District – $10,000
- Volunteers in Medicine Clinic – $15,000
Other Counties / Statewide- Oregon Volunteer Firefighter Association – $3,000
- Oregon Lion’s Sight & Hearing Foundation – $7,500
