Civic Engagement Grants

Civic Engagement Focus Grants (2021-2027) efforts focus on voter education, building youth leadership, supporting local and rural media sources, and youth media literacy.

For potential grantees:

There are no remaining open funding opportunities in 2025. There will be limited new funding available 2026 by invitation only.

Youth Media Literacy / Youth Journalism Grants:

Oregonian’s Youth Voices $15,000 Awarded ($5,000/ year 2025, 2026, 2027)

Purpose: Publish additional Youth Voices stories, increase rewards for student reporters and offer a modest stipend for reporters who work as youth mentors.

Oregon Journalism Educators Association $5K Awarded for 2025 Pilot

Purpose: provide additional support to high school journalism programs around the state by expanding OJEA’s grant program to include support for struggling publications or programs; as well as sustaining current programs; and/or supporting new programs. Mini-grants to high school journalism programs, here: https://www.oregonjea.com/resources/grants

Media Literacy Now  $70,000 Awarded (2025)

Purpose: Fund new Oregon position to support and expand work advancing critical thinking and civic engagement through K–12 media literacy education. To strengthen an Oregon-based coalition and develop tailored advocacy resources to influence educational technology and library standards in the state, in partnership with local organizations and educators.

Local/ Rural Media Outlet Support Grants:

OPB Rural Communities Engagement Fund Awarded $50,000 Total  $25,000 (2025), $25,000 (2026) Purpose: Funding to support rural journalists and storytellers through OPB’s Rural Communities Engagement Fund.

Uplift Local Awarded $15,000 Total $10,000 (2025), $5,000 (2026) 
Purpose: A junior membership associate or consultant to help with the next phase of membership work.

IndiJ Awarded $20,000 I $10,000 (2025), $10,000 (2026)
Purpose: General operating of the local Oregon-based bureau, tribal reporting.

Look Out Eugene-Springfield Awarded $30,000 I $10,000 (2024), $10,000 (2025), $10,000 (2026) Purpose: General operating fund for Lookout Eugene-Springfield

Radio Poder Mano a Mano Awarded $25,000 (2025) 
Purpose: General operating for Spanish-speaking radio station out of Woodburn, program director and local reporters.

For more information, contact: Mariana Lindsay, Program Director mariana(at)yargfoundation.org