Happy Thanksgiving from the Oregon Cultural Trust!

As the days grow short and blustery and the holidays get underway, what better way to show your suppport for all that is vibrant, alive, and playful in our state than with a gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust by December 31?

You have six short weeks, so please give today! With your help, we’ll reach that $4million mark, meaning more money in 2013 for arts, heritage and humanities projects statewide.

Though the Trust is seen by many as a grant-giving organization as well as a leader and facilitator in the cultural economy, heritage tourism and arts education, our organization’s very structure encourages matching gifts to over 1300 cultural organizations in Oregon, from Friends of the John Day Fossil Beds to Kerbyville Museum to Portland Opera, in order for a donor to qualify for the state’s generous cultural tax credit.

The Trust is also working steadfastly to build a permanent fund for the arts, heritage and humanities in Oregon, which now stands at $17million.

We raise a whopping 83% of our annual funds in the last month of the year, making this truly “the season of giving” for the Trust.

The Trust fills so many gaps in a volatile arts education environment.We do this by funding, directly or through our large network of county and tribal coalitions, in-school artist, dancer, and author residencies; after-school programs; summer arts, heritage and philosophy camps; extracurricular library programs, and family events. We also support our state’s lifelong learners through indirect funding to our coalitions for senior center activities.

Through its partner, Oregon Arts Commission, the Trust funds individual artists to advance their careers, essentially aiding a new group of Oregon entrepreneurs in becoming or staying self employed.Through its partners the Oregon Heritage Commission and State Historic Preservation Office, the Trust helps save historic buildings, some under threat of sale and development, others in danger of simply collapsing.

The Trust has been a supporter of Oregon Mainstreet and, through Oregon Arts Commission, funds cultural tourism projects that impact the economies in our small communities and larger cities.

The work of the Oregon Cultural Trust and its partners are essential to keeping Oregon a great place to live, work and play. We hope you find our work worthy of your support. Please give to one of our 1,300 cultural non-profit affiliates, match with a gift to the Trust and get the whole match back at tax time. And have a wonderful Thanksgiving, in gratitude for the quality of life we enjoy in this state.