The Roundhouse Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Roundhouse Foundation, based in Sisters, OR, funds work that shows a clear and compelling benefit to rural Oregon across arts and culture, environmental stewardship, social services and education, so charities should be clear about how their work serves that geographic focus of Rural Oregon; United States.
- Most grants are modest: half of its grants to organisations were $10,000 or less, and stated programme caps run from $500–$2,500 for Small Grants up to $100,000 for Capital Grants – New Construction, so a request pitched in that range is realistic.
- The foundation looks relationship-led in practice, with 69% of its grant dollars going to organisations it had also funded the previous year, so smaller or first-time applicants should be prepared that building a relationship may take time.
- How and when to apply depends on the programme: Small Grants close on 30 November each year, Capital Grants begin with a letter of inquiry accepted January through 30 November and reviewed on a rolling basis, Technical Assistance and Library Collections & Programming grants run on their own windows until funds are exhausted, and Open Call applicants are encouraged to connect with a representative before submitting, so check the right programme's timetable before approaching.
- It does not fund faith-based organisations, organisations outside the United States, private, independent, tuition-based or charter elementary or secondary schools, regional YMCA or Habitat for Humanity branches, or individuals, so these should not apply.
Overview
The Roundhouse Foundation is a US private foundation based in Sisters, OR.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Roundhouse Foundation supports rural Oregon communities, including Tribal communities, through four connected fields: arts and culture, environmental stewardship, social services and education. It sees arts and culture as ways to strengthen community, amplify rural voices and support creative economies. Its education work includes innovative programming, career-technical skills, equitable access to higher education, youth literacy, libraries and civic education. In environmental stewardship, it invests in watershed and ocean health, sustainable agriculture, fisheries and food systems, and accessible outdoor experiences. It values work where these fields intersect. The Foundation seeks nonprofit, government and Tribal partners with community support, thoughtful planning, clear goals and outcomes, collaborative approaches and strong organisational stewardship. It is especially interested in work that builds rural economic resilience, removes barriers to services, mobilises young people, celebrates rural landscapes and supports sustainable food systems. All proposals must demonstrate a clear and compelling benefit to rural Oregon.
Themes
- Arts & Culture
- Environmental Stewardship
- Social Services
- Education
Geographic Focus
Rural Oregon; United States.
What They Don't Fund
- Propagandizing or for influencing legislation and elections
- Organizations outside of the United States
- Faith-based organizations
- Regional YMCA and Habitat for Humanity branches
- Private, independent, tuition-based or charter elementary or secondary schools
- Endowments
- Sports and athletic fields/facilities
- Institutions, who — in policy or practice — unlawfully discriminate against persons for their race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ability, socioeconomic status, age, or other individual identities
- Individuals unauthorized to act on behalf of a qualified tax-exempt organizations
- Individuals for their personal benefit, including scholarships for college or university
- Loan, debt, or operational deficits of any kind
- Organizations that are not IRS-recognized public charities or qualifying government or Tribal government entities
- Open Call Grants only: capital requests for facility development or improvement through the Open Call process
- Capital Grants for Building Maintenance or New Construction only: Vehicles owned and operated for municipal service (such as school buses or city buses)
- Technical Assistance & Professional Development Grants only: projects/programs that have already been funded or paid for
- Local Food Purchase Grants for Food Pantries, Senior Centers, Gleaners & Backpack/Summer Meal Programs only: Metro areas (pop. 40,000+)
How to apply
For Capital Grants, begin with a letter of inquiry. Aligned projects may receive follow-up and an invitation to submit a full application.
Deadlines:
- Small Grants applications close on November 30 each year.
- Capital Grant letters of inquiry are accepted January through November 30 and reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Technical Assistance and Professional Development applications are accepted January through November 30, or until funds are exhausted for the budget year.
- Library Collections & Programming applications run June 1 through November 30, or until funds are exhausted for the budget year.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2023 filing, 69% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022 and TY2023 filings, half of its 1,173 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The Foundation seeks partners committed to rural Oregon and able to show broad community support.
- Applicants should show broad community support.
- Proposals should advance one or more focus areas and recognise their interconnections.
- The Foundation values innovative, creative and collaborative approaches.
- Applicants should set clear goals and outcomes that advance work towards solutions.
- The Foundation particularly favours work that stimulates rural economies and fosters economic resilience.
- The Foundation is especially interested in work that removes barriers to services.
- The Foundation is especially interested in opportunities that engage and mobilise young people.
- The Foundation encourages Open Call applicants to connect with a representative before submitting a proposal.
- Capital Grant proposals should have a clear budget with detailed community and financial support.
- Open Call proposals spanning 12–18 months are preferred.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2023.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 9% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2023, 69% of grant dollars went to organisations The Roundhouse Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 3% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 655 grants in tax year 2023 by size
Median $10,000 (tax year 2023)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- High Desert Museum · High desert museum capital expansion and renovation$1,200,0002023 tax year
- Oregon Coast Aquarium · Aquarium capital campaign phase 1b & phase 3$1,000,0002023 tax year
- OHSU Foundation · Ohsu casey eye institute community outreach program$500,0002023 tax year
- Trust for Public Land · Greening rural oregon schoolyards$350,0002023 tax year
- OHSU Foundation · Tribal health scholars program - northwest native american center for excellence$350,0002023 tax year
- Oregon Center for Creative Learning · Occl expansion & professional development program$250,0002023 tax year
- Capaces Leadership Institute · Anahuac farm phase ii$250,0002023 tax year
- Osu Foundation · College of agriculture and agrivoltaics program$250,0002023 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Erin Borla — Trustee / Executive Director
- Frank Deggendorfer — Trustee
- Kathleen Deggendorfer — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
2 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $15,877,270 | $12,650,256 | $340,439,785 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $18,936,645 | $15,744,874 | $364,587,219 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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No credit card required