On July 7 and 8 The Oregon Legislature passed HB3367, renewing the full cultural tax credit until 2020.

The renewal of the cultural tax credit, the chief funding mechanism for the Cultural Trust, means that donors to more than 1300+ Oregon cultural nonprofit partners of the Trust can continue making a matching gift to the Trust and be eligible for a 100% state tax refund on the match, up to $500 for an individual, $1,000 for a household filing jointly and $2,500 for a Class-C corporation.

Cultural Trust Board Chair Bob Speltz conveyed his gratitude to all Oregonians for speaking up, actively supporting culture in Oregon and personally urging lawmakers to renew the Cultural Tax Credit. “I’m grateful to the Oregonians who over the past year worked hard to make the case for Culture,” said Speltz. “I’m especially thankful to our elected leadership for voting to renew the Cultural Trust tax credit while balancing many other requests for state resources. Their votes protected local jobs and over the next six years will ensure the arts, heritage and the humanities stay vibrant in our communities.”

Christine D’Arcy, the Trust’s executive director, extended special appreciation for the Cultural Advocacy Coalition for its coordinated advocacy efforts to renew the credit.

“The Legislature gave the Cultural Trust six more years to grow Oregon’s permanent fund for culture. Now it’s up to Oregonians to use that innovative tool to help make grants to important cultural projects that bring visitors to our state and support grassroots festivals, celebrations and events,” said D’Arcy.