Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation Awards $750k to Southern Oregon Non-Profits; $25 Million Since 1997

Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation Director Carma Mornarich awards grant to representative of nonprofit organization

For Immediate Release: January 10, 2025

ROSEBURG, OR. — In a ceremony of hope and giving on Thursday, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians’ Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation awarded just over three-quarters of a million dollars to Southern Oregon non-profit organizations.

The total amount of grants awarded was $751,580, which were distributed to 86 different non-profit organizations that work to make a difference in the lives of people in Southern Oregon.

This brings the total amount of giving from the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation (CCUIF) to over $25 million since its inception in 1997.

The awards were presented at Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville, owned by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and located within their ancestral territory, a few miles away from where Tribal leaders in 1853 signed a treaty with the U.S. Government.

The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation was established in 1997 and dedicates a percentage of revenue generated from gaming at Seven Feathers Casino Resort to charitable giving in the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians’ seven-county service area; Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Coos, Lane and Deschutes counties. Service area defines a region where Tribes can provide services for their enrolled Tribal citizens, rather than indicate boundaries of a Tribe’s ancestral territory.

CCUIF makes contributions across the service area twice per year based on the principles of: no one should go hungry; every child should feel safe; education builds character; and healthy bodies and healthy minds mean healthy communities.

Cow Creek Umpqua Chairman Carla Keene addresses gathered nonprofit representatives at award ceremony

“These are guiding principles not just for our Foundation and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, but for all of us in Southern Oregon who want to see positive change,” said Carla Keene, Chairman of Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, in her remarks to grant recipients at Seven Feathers Casino Resort. “Every year we continue to be astounded at the scope of work that your organizations do. Your commitment to our communities is extraordinary.”

“Being able to assist non-profits in their work to help youth, to build families, to support education, and to meet basic needs fills us with gratitude. The work of non-profit organizations is tireless and highly important to our communities,” said Carma Mornarich, Executive Director of the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation.

Some notable recipients of this term’s grants include:

$12,000 to the South Umpqua Historical Society to assist with building a climate-controlled storage facility for historical items
$14,500 to Sunrise Enterprises in Myrtle Creek to upgrade facilities
$10,000 to Wildlife Safari in Winston for scholarships to low-income students
$10,000 to St. Joseph’s Community Kitchen in Roseburg to support hot meals for those in need
$12,000 to CASA of Jackson County to train new mentors for children in foster care
$10,000 to Rogue Community Health for helping to provide essential medications for low-income patients
$10,000 to Rogue Retreat to assist its network of shelters with purchasing appliances and household necessities
$10,000 to Rogue Valley Farm to School to support local and nutritious food sourcing in Medford area schools
10,000 to Klamath Advocacy Center to assist with constructing a transitional housing facility for victims of domestic violence
$10,000 to Klamath Basin Senior Citizens Center to provide meals, transportation and other programs for seniors
$7,500 to YMCA of Klamath County to fund a year-long swimming program for 230 second-grade students
$10,000 to La Pine Community Kitchen to support meals for those in need
$10,000 to New Each Morning in Bend with support for women who have graduated from substance abuse programs
$10,000 to St. Vincent de Paul of Redmond for assistance to low-income residents
$10,000 to Parenting Now in Eugene to support parenting classes for families
$10,000 to Mid Lane Cares to support the Love Project Food Pantry in rural Lane County
$10,000 to Housing Opportunity Made Equal to provide repair services to low-income homeowners in Lane County
$10,000 to Oregon Coast Community Action CASA to train new mentors for neglected children
$10,000 to Evergreen Quest in Coos Bay to assist with construction of a new arena that will support youth 4H outdoor activities
$10,000 to Star of Hope Activity Center in Coos Bay to provide activities for individuals with disabilities

In addition to the individual grants, two recipients received hallmark awards from the Foundation. Freedom Farms in Jackson County received the Buss Rondeau Award for $8,000 toward an agriculture training program for formerly incarcerated adults and youth. Rondeau was a founding member of the CCCUIF. The Shedd Institute for the Arts in Lane County received the Martha Young Award for $3,840 toward an art program collaboration with the Eugene Mission. Young was a former executive director of the CCUIF.

In addition to the hundreds of thousands of dollars in foundation awards that are allocated twice per year, the Tribal Board of Directors for the Cow Creek Umpqua Tribal Government also makes regular separate decisions on philanthropic giving.

2024, 2024-pub