Grants Propel Four Eastern Oregon Business Programs to New Heights

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Introduction

In an exciting development for growth in Eastern Oregon, four essential organizations dedicated to fostering business innovation have recently received significant financial support from the Oregon Community Foundation’s Thriving Entrepreneurs program. This initiative aims to empower innovators and small business owners, especially in rural and underserved regions.

Details of the Grants

The Oregon Community Foundation announced in a recent press release that it awarded a total of 42 grants this December, designed specifically to ease the challenges faced by rural and unrepresented entrepreneurs. Within this initiative, four grants were allocated to impactful programs in Eastern Oregon:

• $25,000 to the Heppner Community Foundation, which focuses on developing programs aimed at rural small business growth and sustainability.
• $20,000 to Nixyáawii Community Financial Services located in Mission, enhancing their Business Development Services Ecosystem for budding entrepreneurs.
• $20,000 to the Rural Engagement & Vitality Center based in La Grande, aimed at amplifying outreach efforts as well as providing tailored mentorship, business development coaching, and technical assistance to rural entrepreneurs, thereby increasing job opportunities and wealth in the region.
• $20,000 to the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District in Enterprise, intended to bolster their Small Business Success Day events, expand personalized coaching sessions, and improve educational outreach through additional classes.

The Need for Support

According to Jocelyn Beh, the economic vitality and housing program officer for the Oregon Community Foundation, Oregonians are brimming with innovative business concepts. However, in order to translate these ideas into successful ventures, entrepreneurs frequently require assistance in crucial areas such as business plan development, funding access, and organizational capacity building.

Beh emphasized, “They’re already doing the hard work of building Oregon’s economy. They just need a boost from organizations like the ones supported by Thriving Entrepreneurs.” This statement underscores the significant role that targeted support plays in enabling local businesses to flourish.

Long-Term Impact of the Thriving Entrepreneurs Program

Now in its fifth year, the Thriving Entrepreneurs program continues to make a meaningful impact, having distributed over $3.5 million to various nonprofit organizations dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurs of all backgrounds. These grants provide crucial capital, foster connections, offer educational curriculum, and deliver coaching services. Notably, this year, a remarkable 79% of the grants were directed to organizations based in rural communities or serving these areas.

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Conclusion

The recent grants awarded to Eastern Oregon organizations mark a significant step forward in supporting local businesses. As these organizations help entrepreneurs develop their visions, tools like the AI legalese decoder stand ready to assist in overcoming legal hurdles, ensuring that business owners can truly thrive.