Celebrating 25 years of the Oregon Cultural Trust

Decades ago, a small group of leaders considered an ongoing challenge; in times of plenty and times of want, how could we ensure that access to arts, music, history, humanities, and culture remains available to all Oregonians?

Oregon’s cultural vibrancy, they knew, serves a vital role in local economies, educational opportunities, and overall community well-being.

“The goal was quite simple,” said Charlie Walker, who in the late 1990s had recently retired from the presidency of Linfield University and wanted to ensure more arts access in smaller communities. “We wanted to really lift the quality of life.”

This kernel turned into one of the state’s big visionary ideas: the Oregon Cultural Trust. Created by the Legislature in 2001, the Cultural Trust was built to serve all facets of culture for all of Oregon.

Twenty-five years in, this funding engine has infused more than $50 million across the state, built a $53 million endowment generating continual funding, and continues to see growth potential into the future.

“This is an amazingly powerful tool Oregonians have for deciding how their tax dollars are spent,” said Amy Lewin, Director of Arts and Culture for the state of Oregon. “By donating to the Trust, they become champions investing in historical preservation, in arts, in cultural festivals, in libraries, in cultural connection.”

Doing more with your donations

The Cultural Trust is primarily fueled by the Oregon Cultural Tax Credit.

It’s a simple, three-part process. First, you donate to one or more of the nearly 1,700 qualified cultural nonprofits. Then, you make another gift to the Cultural Trust (this must be completed by December 31). When you file your taxes, you can claim the credit and deduct from your tax bill — up to $500 if you’re filing individually or $1,000 if you’re filing jointly.

Today, this credit generates $5 million annually, and how it’s invested is equally unique.

A portion goes toward five organizations focused on sustaining culture statewide: the Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Humanities, the Oregon Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, and the Oregon Historical Society.

Another pool is devoted to a coalition in every county in Oregon, as well as the state’s nine federally recognized Tribes. These local groups, powered by volunteers and community leaders, make nimble funding decisions to cultivate grassroots cultural projects.

Then, the final funding is distributed to nonprofit organizations via competitive grants – 104 cultural efforts were awarded funding in August.

Changing the cultural landscape

Over 25 years, the Cultural Trust has made an impact, energizing culture in every corner of Oregon.

“The Trust is nothing short of remarkable,” said Ginger Savage, executive director of the Crossroads Carnegie Art Center in Baker City. “It’s amazing what these investments can do in a smaller place like Baker City.”

This year, your support of the Oregon Cultural Trust directly translates to tangible community benefits in every region, including:

• Three new permanent exhibits at the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center in Joseph, which keeps the rich history of African American, Indigenous and immigrant loggers in the region alive.
• Events such as the Montavilla Jazz Festival and Winter Light Festival in Portland, the Ashland Sarcasm Festival, and Theatre 33 at Willamette University’s Regional New Play Festival.
• Increasing access to STEAM education at the Oregon Coast Aquarium through free and reduced-admission programs.
• Efforts to recover what was lost, like the revitalization of Nuu-wee-ya’, an Indigenous language of Oregon, or the oral histories preserved by the Albina Music Trust.

“At the center of the idea of the Cultural Trust is one of stability and certainty—that there should be guaranteed funding to rely on year over year,” said Sean Andries, who is executive director of the Chehalem Cultural Center in Newberg and also chair of the Cultural Trust board. “It makes sure that in every corner of the state, no matter where you live, you have arts and culture in your community.”

Oregon is the only state in the country that offers residents a 100% tax credit dedicated to cultural giving, and that’s something to be proud of. To stay informed on how your tax dollars are being used, sign up for the Oregon Cultural Trust newsletter or follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.