The Collins Foundation aims to foster a more equitable Oregon by supporting diverse and inclusive initiatives. Racial equity is a central priority, along with promoting inclusion for systematically marginalized communities such as people of color, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, low-income families, and rural communities. The Foundation is dedicated to the learning and growth in equity for organizations across urban and rural areas of Oregon.
The Immigrant & Refugee Funders Collaborative seeks to address urgent and emerging issues faced by immigrant and refugee communities in Oregon through a streamlined and responsive grantmaking process. The collaborative's guiding principles include creating a "No Wrong Door" approach for nonprofits and community groups to easily connect with funders, sharing a common application to reduce redundancy and hasten decision-making, and employing a flexible funding structure (pooled funds, aligned funding, or a combination). The areas of interest for funding include legal support, outreach and education, research on immigration and refugee issues, basic human needs, and advocacy. The collaborative aims to make grant decisions within four weeks of receiving proposals and requires a single report from grantees at the end of the grant period, simplifying the reporting process for organizations supported by multiple funders. Additionally, a critical response fund offers quick turnaround funding for small, urgent needs.