A responsive, swift, and purposeful
award for smaller Oregon partners, between

$2,500-$10,000 / year

The January cohort is now closed.

The application is set to re-open in May and September, 2025.

Sunflower
Grant Program

FUNDING ELIGIBILITY

Operating expenses of $250,000 or less in most recent fiscal year
Operating expenses for a nonprofit are the costs associated with running the organization, including staff salaries, rent, utilities, program expenses, and other day-to-day operating needs. Organizations must report operating expenses of $250,000 or less in their last (completed) fiscal year to apply.

Independent 501(c)(3) public charity in Oregon
Though we value our Washington State partners, the Sunflower Grant is only available to Oregon applicants at this time. Furthermore, applicants must be an independent 501(c)(3) to apply. Organizations who are fiscally sponsored, or those operating under the purview of a larger public charity, are not eligible to pursue a Sunflower Grant.

Exclusively serves Oregon communities
The Sunflower grant program focuses on supporting Oregon partners who are headquartered in and work exclusively with Oregon communities. This ensures that local resources are directed to addressing the specific needs and priorities of our home state.

Active for one (or more) completed fiscal year(s)
Eligible applicants must have financial statements that capture a full and complete fiscal year. A Statement of Activities (Profit and Loss) for your last completed fiscal year is required at the time of application.

Direct service provider
The Sunflower Grant aims to support organizations whose hands-on efforts directly support specific communities or populations. Organizations who act as conveners, networks, research agencies, or support pass-through funding are not eligible to pursue a Sunflower Grant.

Has functional and informative online presence (website) 
With this grant program, much of what we learn or affirm about an organization is found via online research. While we prefer applicants to have a clear and informative website, we accept other online mediums that are comparably informative and purposeful.

Meets all of our regular funding criteria and terms
Applicants must affirm their commitment to non-discrimination and agree to our terms of funding; these terms can be reviewed here. 

HOW IT WORKS

Month 1

Application opens for 3-4 weeks every January, May, and September

Month 2

We thoroughly and swiftly review all received applications and issue funding recommendations to our Board

Month 3

Our Board issues final funding decisions; decisions communicated to applicants via email

THE APPLICATION

We ask that applicants submit the following information and documentation when applying for a Sunflower Grant:

Short Answer Prompts:

  • Equity: How does your organization address the needs of underrepresented groups and ensure equitable access and treatment throughout their experience with your organization? Share how this is reflected in your programs and operations. (max. 1,000 characters)

  • Impact: Please describe the impact of your programs and services using relevant data, demographics, and/or figures collected. (max. 750 characters)

  • Programs and Services: (Optional) Please briefly list and describe key programs and services provided by your organization. Bullets preferred. (max. 750 characters)

Required Documentation:

  • Most recently completed fiscal year’s Statement of Activities*

  • Most recently completed fiscal year’s Budget*

  • IRS Determination Letter to confirm 501(c)(3) status

    *If the fiscal year of your documents ended more than 11 months ago, you are required to submit a Balance Sheet dated December 2024 or later.

    One or more of the following are preferred:

  • Balance Sheet*

  • Impact Report

  • The current year’s budget

  • Form 990 (Full)

    *If the fiscal year of your required financial documents ended more than 11 months ago, you are required to submit a Balance Sheet dated December 2024 or later.

Common Questions

  • If you have an active grant in another Primary Program, you are not eligible to apply until that grant term is complete and your grant report has been submitted. If you have an active grant in a Secondary Program, and are eligible for a Sunflower grant, you may apply. Please see marielamfrom.org/programs for more information.

  • This grant is designed for general operating support only. It is not intended to support capital campaigns, specific programs, or special initiatives.

  • This is our least competitive grant application. All applications are evaluated using the same metrics. Organizations with very strong scores will receive $7,500, those with moderate scores will receive $5,000, and organizations that may not be highly competitive but are still doing meaningful work will receive $2,500. In rare cases, organizations exceptionally well-aligned with our funding priorities may receive awards of $10,000. Applicants who do not score sufficiently will be invited to reapply in 1, 3, or 5 years, depending on the factors that influenced their score.

  • We do not ask applicants to request an award amount in this application; award amounts are calculated through our evaluation process.

  • We hope to issue funding decisions within 10 weeks of application closure.

  • Applicants with more than $250,000 in operating expenses are not eligible to apply. We want to ensure that this program is sustainable for its design, such that it remain marginally competitive and with sufficient funds readily available.

Do you have more questions about the Sunflower Grant? Please email Keiren Bond, Program Associate, at keiren@marielamfrom.org or call us at (503)877-3943 to speak with one of our team members.