The Portland Foundation
  • About Us
    • History
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Dunkirk Community Advisors
    • Browse Funds Alphabetically
  • Grants & Scholarships
    • Applying
    • Grant Final Report
    • Elementary Education Programs
    • Summer Grants & Scholarships
    • Winter Grants & Scholarships
  • Programs
    • Women's Giving Circle
    • Friends of Jay County Agriculture
    • Freedom Park
    • Dunkirk Community Funds
  • Contact Us
Facebook Instagram
  • GRANTS

    Applying for Grants

  • SCHOLARSHIPS

    Applying for Scholarships

  • DONATE

    Donate To A Need
    Submit A Need
    Read Success Stories

  • SIGN UP

    Join our email list and receive our newsletter and announcements.

  • GRANTS

    Applying for Grants

  • SCHOLARSHIPS

    Applying for Scholarships

  • DONATE

    Donate To A Need
    Submit A Need
    Read Success Stories

  • SIGN UP

    Join our email list and receive our newsletter and announcements.

History

Share This:FacebookTwitterShare on LinkedinShare on Google PlusPinterestDiggStumbleUponDeliciousReddit
email the content item print the content item create pdf file of the content item

History of the Portland Foundation

A community foundation builds and maintains an endowment, the earnings of which are used for philanthropic purposes within that community. Individuals, families, businesses, private foundations, and not-for-profit organizations may all donate to community foundations. At a time when the responsibility for solving local problems and enhancing the quality of life for local citizens is clearly shifting back to the local community, community foundations are in the right place at the right time.

What is The Portland Foundation?

Established December 17, 1951, The Portland Foundation is the second oldest community foundation in Indiana. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life for the people of Jay County, Indiana, now and for generations to come, by building community endowment, effecting significant impact through grantmaking and providing leadership on key community issues. Appointments to the nine-member Board of Trustees include two each by the Mayor of Portland, the Superintendent of the Jay County School Corporation, the Judge of the Jay Superior Court, and the Judge of the Jay Circuit Court. The ninth member is selected by the Foundation Board of Trustees.

An Endowment for the Future

As a result of the vision and energy of three distinguished community leaders: Mr. John Jaqua, Sr., Mr. Hugh Ronald Jr., and Mr. W. Haynes Starbuck, The Portland Foundation was established on December 17, 1951. They recognized that while our community was comprised of residents with diverse and specific concerns and priorities, many shared a common vision of ensuring that the quality of life for us and for those that followed was forever preserved, protected, and enhanced.

Started with an initial gift from the Jay Garment Company establishing the J. Arthur Williams-Orville Easterday Fund in 1952, the Foundation has seen tremendous growth in recent years. Some of this growth can be attributed to The Portland Foundation's participation in the GIFT (Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow) Initiative, a program of the Lilly Endowment Inc., The Portland Foundation owes a deep debt of gratitude to the Endowment for the GIFT program.

Learn more about The Portland Foundation

Making Contributions to The Portland Foundation

For more information on making contributions to The Portland Foundation, please reference our Become a Donor page.

Applications & Deadlines

2025 Portland Foundation Summer Scholarship Application (for current College Students)- Due no Later than 5:00pm on 6/12/24
Women's Giving Circle Grant Application- Due no later than 5:00pm on 7/11/24
Jerry Pierce Memorial Scholarship- Due no later than 5:00pm on 6/11/25
Lola (Louks) Gadbury Nursing Scholarship- Due no later than 5:00pm on 6/11/25
2025 Summer Grant Application- Due no later than 5:00pm on 6/26/25
2025 Teacher Creativity Mini Grant Application- Due no later than 5:00pm on 6/26/25
2025 Dr. Donald Johnson Grant Application-Due no later than 5:00 pm on 6/26/25

Resources

2023 Annual Report
2023 Financial Statement
2023 Form 990 Income Tax Return Inc
2023 Form 990 Income Tax Return Trust
2023 Form 990 Income Tax Return Building Corp
2022 Annual Report
2022 Financial Statement
2022 Form 990 Income Tax Return Inc
2022 Form 990 Income Tax Return Trust
Freedom Park Brick Order Form

Location & Hours

107 S Meridian Street
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-4260
Fax: (260) 726-4273
tpf@portlandfoundation.org
Hours: M-F 8am-4pm

Enter your starting address:

Donate Now

Donate Now

Receive Foundation News Right in Your Inbox!

National Standards

National Standards

The Portland Foundation is
confirmed in compliance with
National Standards for U.S.
Community Foundations.

Grants & Scholarships Archive

No new Grants or Scholarships
Privacy Policy
Copyright (c) 2024 Portland Foundation All rights reserved.
Technical Maintenance by Dynamic Business Solutions, Inc.
Board and Staff Login