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For Immediate Release Contact: Oregonians Donate A Record $2 Million to Cultural Trust OREGON -- The Oregon Cultural Trust received a substantial increase in support in 2004 as Oregonian's donated a record $2 million to support arts, cultural and heritage throughout the state. The $2 million figure is an increase of nearly $350,000 from 2003 and indicates growing support for Oregon's unique cultural heritage. "We are delighted with the response, but not surprised," said Christine D'Arcy, Executive Director of the Trust. "Nearly four thousand Oregonians voted with their checkbooks, and reaffirmed the belief that arts and culture are vitally important to the future of Oregon." D'Arcy credits the Trust's success to the outreach across Oregon by Trust Manager Scott Palmer who met with the staffs and boards of scores of cultural organizations and made personal visits to over 24 Oregon counties. Over 3,900 Oregonians contributed to the Trust, with the average gift increasing to well over $500. In 2003, 3,200 people donated to the Trust at an average of $490 per gift. Not unexpectedly, the largest percentage of contributions came from the most populated areas of the state, although interest was shown from every corner of Oregon. The largest increases in donations came from Clackamas, Coos, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill counties, with Coos and Columbia counties more than doubling their number of donors and contributions. Sixteen counties in the state saw an increase of more than 20% in total contributions, with eight counties increasing their contributions by more than 50%. Multnomah County saw the largest overall increase in donors, with Lane County the second largest. Deschutes County had the highest average donation in the state while Linn County had the largest increase in average donations. Fifty-eight percent of money raised by the Cultural Trust is placed in a permanent endowment to support Oregon's heritage, humanities and the arts. The remaining 42 percent is distributed annually through competitive grants to Oregon cultural non-profits, to county and tribal cultural coalitions and to Oregon's statewide cultural partner agencies, the Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Council for the Humanities, Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Historical Society, and the State Historic Preservation Office. D'Arcy notes, "It is never too late or too early to contribute to the Cultural Trust. Although the window to take advantage of the 2004 tax credit has closed, donors who give now through June 30, 2005 will help increase the funds the Trust will grant this summer. We know the demand for cultural support is high since the Trust received grant proposals totaling over $1.7 million last year. Grants were awarded this year to museums and historical groups like the Clackamas Heritage Partners, The High Desert Museum, the Portland Art Museum and the Bosco-Milligan Foundation. With the increased funds we have raised already, we will have additional resources in 2005." About the Oregon Cultural Trust The Cultural Trust is a statewide program that is raising significant new funds to invest into Oregon's arts, humanities and heritage assets. In addition to the creation of a long-term, protected endowment, funds will be distributed each year to partner organizations, county and tribal cultural coalitions and competitive grant applicants. Donations to the Cultural Trust are eligible for an innovative tax credit. Donors to the Cultural Trust are eligible for a 100% tax credit for contributions of up to $500 for individuals ($1,000 for couples filing jointly) and $2,500 for corporations. Because one of the Cultural Trust's goals is to motivate Oregonians to increase direct giving to cultural groups, in order to qualify for the credit, a donor must have also made matching gifts to one or more cultural nonprofits in Oregon during the same tax year. For additional information or to donate online, visit www.culturaltrust.org. |
"Oregonians have an opportunity to give to something that gives back to all of us - the Oregon Cultural Trust. . . A gift to arts and culture in Oregon Ö will enrich the lives of our children, create jobs in the cultural industries, bring visitors to our state, and improve our quality of life. The Cultural Trust is a statewide strategy for public and private investment in Oregon's arts, heritage and humanities. Many other states are looking at the Trust as an innovative model for supporting art and culture. But the Cultural Trust will only succeed if Oregonians step forward with contributions. " Governor Ted Kulongoski, December, 2004 |
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