Brand Story – As climate change increases the likelihood of extreme weather events, communities across Oregon are more prepared than ever.
In the quiet town of Chiloquin, nestled in the forests of Klamath County, Fire Chief Mike Cook stands beside a gleaming 36,000-gallon water tank. This isn’t just a water storage facility; it’s a symbol of community resilience and a testament to the transformative power of strategic philanthropy. This tank has changed how Cook and his team fight fires.
They used to drive 16 miles round trip to refill their trucks. Now, since Cook’s crew protects not just Chiloquin but 1,000 square miles of northeast Klamath County, they can respond much faster. “It’s a huge benefit for not just Chiloquin Fire and Rescue, but also for numerous fire departments in central Klamath County,” Cook says.
This life-saving improvement didn’t come from a federal grant or state funding. Instead, it’s one of the many lasting legacies of an innovative initiative born in the aftermath of Oregon’s devastating 2020 wildfires: the Community Rebuilding Fund.
A New Model of Disaster Response
In September 2020, Oregon faced a crisis as wildfires swept across the state. The fires created unprecedented challenges, but also the opportunity to rebuild stronger communities. In response, the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) joined other foundations to create a unique collaborative effort that would change the landscape of disaster response in the state.
The Community Rebuilding Fund, a partnership of OCF, The Ford Family Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, and the American Red Cross, has redefined how Oregon responds to disasters. Before the fires had been drenched, then-Governor Kate Brown reached out to OCF with an urgent request. State and federal resources were on their way, but they would take time to arrive and wouldn’t be enough to address the immense immediate need. Meanwhile, individuals and organizations across Oregon and the nation were eager to help, but there was no single entity capable of strategically pooling and directing donations to support fire-stricken communities statewide over the long term. This unique initiative has evolved into a model of rapid, flexible, and community-driven support that continues to shape the state’s approach to crisis management.
“There’s always going to be a need for some quick-acting dollars from philanthropy that can move at a much swifter pace than the larger public dollars can,” says Carlos Garcia, OCF senior program officer for environment. “And it’s better that we acknowledge that and plan for it.”
Community-Led Solutions
In Medford, the impact of the fund is evident in the work of La Clinica, a community health center that has expanded its reach thanks to grant support. La Clinica has been able to train and embed community health workers in local schools and outreach teams, which has been crucial in supporting Latino/x adults and children, including many farmworker families who were deeply affected by the fires.
This community-led approach is a hallmark of the fund’s strategy. By putting decision-making power in the hands of those most affected, the fund has ensured that resources are directed where they’re most needed. In the McKenzie River Valley east of Eugene, where fires displaced many residents of the area’s small rural communities, this translated into the construction of a new childcare center serving low-income families — a critical component of the area’s long-term recovery and resilience.
Building Capacity for the Long Haul
Perhaps the most significant impact of the Community Rebuilding Fund has been its investment in long-term recovery groups. These local organizations, many of which didn’t exist before the 2020 fires, have become essential hubs for disaster response and community support. The philanthropic dollars from the fund got these groups up and running when federal and state resources weren’t available.
“That’s one of the biggest things that (the fund) has been able to do: To provide real capacity that stays in communities, that can help people who have been through traumatic events,” notes Max Gimbel, director of rural community building at The Ford Family Foundation. “Now instead of waiting nine months to get access to resources, they can receive them in nine hours.”
This investment in local capacity has paid dividends beyond the immediate recovery efforts. In Chiloquin, the momentum gained from Community Rebuilding Fund support has enabled local leaders to pursue other transformative grants, including a potential $20 million project to build a community resilience hub.
A Ripple Effect Across the State
The success of the Community Rebuilding Fund has inspired a broader shift in how Oregon approaches disaster preparedness and response. The Oregon Disaster Funder Network, now comprised of OCF and 36 other funders, activates multiple times a year to respond to various crises across the state.
OCF has also established the Oregon Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, a permanent resource that provides rapid response grants for immediate needs like shelter, food, and supplies in the wake of disasters. This fund has already been activated for events ranging from the 2022 Cedar Creek Fire in Lane County to flooding and ice storms in Tillamook County in early 2024.
Looking to the Future
As climate change increases the likelihood of extreme weather events, the lessons learned from the Community Rebuilding Fund are more relevant than ever. The fund’s legacy lives on in stronger, more prepared communities across Oregon.
“Finally, a small, Tribal, disadvantaged, historically underserved community feels like somebody cares,” says Chiloquin community builder Cathy Stuhr. “There are people who recognize our situation and will provide assistance, so that people in our community can take that support and move forward and do something on a bigger scale for the community.”
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