At MRG Foundation, we have a somewhat unique opportunity to see across issues, across communities, and across the state. From Ashland to Scappoose and from Coos Bay to La Grande, MRG’s grantees, donors, and leaders work in nearly every county and come from every movement. Read our analysis of the current issues, strategies, and events that are shaping Oregon's social justice movements.
This award for artists of marginalized genders was created in honor of Lilla Jewel, an artist, mother, grandmother, and radical suffragist active during the turn of the 20th century. The Lilla Jewel Award seeks to amplify the work of Oregon-based artists of marginalized genders, who advance a social change message through their work. Created nearly […]
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In March 2020, we organized three webinars to let people know about our grantmaking opportunity and answer questions. The recording for the March 10 webinar is here or click below to watch. You can also download the transcripts and slides here. The recording for the March 13 webinar is here or click below to watch. […]
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In addition to opening our General Fund cycle, we’re also relaunching the Lilla Jewel Awards for Womxn Artists and replenishing our Rapid Response funds! Check them out: General Fund Grants We are so excited to announce that we are launching our next General Fund grant cycle through our new online grantmaking platform on March 16. To find […]
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“I took over grant-writing for Lakota Oyate Ki in 1999 and wrote my first grant ever to MRG. Those investments from MRG were not just dollars—they were the embodiment of hope. They reminded us that people cared about us, loved us, and saw us as a part of a wider community.” — Manuel Mose, former […]
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This Giving Tuesday, we hope you will give to MRG! Our devoted, incredibly hardworking, and all-volunteer Grantmaking Committee selected 16 groups to be funded. Because of our limited budget, the vast majority of them are receiving less funding than they requested. While the impact these groups make is hard to quantify, we know that each […]
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After an exciting grantmaking season that has required our eight volunteer grantmakers to collectively invest… 700+ hours reading and scoring applications; 25.5 hours talking to groups at site visits; 100+ hours traveling to meetings and visits; and More than 36 hours to passionate and sometimes difficult discussions … the MRG Grantmaking Committee is delighted to […]
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In January 2019, just about a month into my new role as Executive Director here at Seeding Justice, it was my honor to facilitate a panel requested by staff and leadership of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians. They wanted us to pull together leaders who were working at the intersection of philanthropy and Indian […]
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The Staff and Board of MRG Foundation are pleased to announce Dena Zaldúa as Development Director effective March 19, 2019. Ms. Zaldúa will be staff lead on MRG’s fundraising programs including our overall strategic vision, leadership and implementation. As a bilingual, bisexual, Jewish, Latina daughter of an immigrant, Ms. Zaldúa’s passion for social justice is […]
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The MRG Foundation is pleased to announce that Violeta Rubiani has been hired to serve as Grants Program Director effective February 25, 2019. Ms. Rubiani will be staff lead for MRG’s grant-making program. “Throughout our hiring process Violeta’s experience, skills and passion for the advancement of justice resonated deeply with staff and board alike,” said […]
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New year’s often evokes reflecting on new beginnings and while we have no shortage of new faces and changes here at MRG, I have found myself turning to our history and my history for both context and inspiration. Roy Sampsel was a friend and mentor of mine and he often reminded me that, as tribal people, […]
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