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Austin Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.2M
Decision Time
1mo

Austin Family Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,647,091 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $87.4 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: Up to $10,000 (Small Grants) / $50,000 - $190,000+ (Large Grants, invitation-only)
  • Number of Grants: 38 grants in 2023, 68 grants in 2022
  • Geographic Focus: Newberg and Yamhill County, Oregon
  • Application Method: Rolling basis for Small Grants / Invitation-only for Large Grants

Contact Details

Website: https://austinfamilyfoundation.com/

Phone: 503-537-1000

Small Grant Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=austinfamily

Location: Newberg, Oregon

Overview

The Austin Family Foundation was established in 2015 through funding from Ken Austin, fulfilling the dream of his late wife Joan Austin who passed away in 2013. The foundation grew out of the success of A-dec (Austin Dental Equipment Company), which Ken and Joan founded in 1965 in a Quonset hut in downtown Newberg and built into the world's largest manufacturer of dental operatory equipment. With total assets of $87.4 million as of 2024, the foundation is committed to enhancing lives by providing opportunities for citizens of Newberg and Yamhill County through programs that aid and inspire individuals to reach their full potential. The foundation operates under the continued stewardship of the next generation of Austin and Parrish families, including Ken Austin III and his sister Loni Parrish. In 2017, the foundation commissioned a comprehensive needs assessment through the Oregon Community Foundation to strategically guide their philanthropic investments, making it the first assessment of its kind in Oregon.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grant Program

  • Amount: Up to $10,000 per award
  • Frequency: Monthly funding decisions
  • Application Method: Online rolling applications through Grant Interface portal
  • Focus: Community, health, and education services for Newberg/Dundee citizens
  • Decision Criteria: Merit of proposed project/program and alignment with foundation funding priorities

Large Grant Program

  • Amount: Typically $50,000 - $190,000+
  • Application Method: Invitation-only; prospective grant recipients identified by the foundation
  • Focus Areas: Same as Small Grant Program but larger-scale initiatives
  • Recent Examples:
    • $190,000 to Juliette's House for "Circle of Care - Program Only"
    • $152,000 to Providence Newberg Health Foundation for "Mental Health for School-Based Health Center"
    • $100,000 to George Fox University for "Meeting the Demand for Community Health Workers"
    • $92,000 to Providence Newberg Health Foundation for "Out of the Cold" emergency housing program

Priority Areas

Education

  • K-12 mental health support and counseling services
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs
  • Student support services and career exploration
  • Innovation initiatives in schools
  • Higher education community health worker programs

Health

  • Mental health and behavioral health services
  • Emergency housing and medical recovery space
  • School-based health centers
  • Access to addiction and mental health services
  • Support for vulnerable and medically fragile patients

Community

  • Community strengthening initiatives
  • Programs supporting meaningful and productive lives
  • Services addressing housing instability
  • Youth services and staff/volunteer appreciation

Geographic Focus

  • Primary: Newberg and Dundee, Oregon
  • Secondary: Yamhill County, Oregon
  • The foundation was described in their early materials as focusing within a 20-mile radius around Newberg

What They Don't Fund

Specific funding exclusions are not publicly documented on the foundation's website. However, the foundation:

  • Does not typically accept unsolicited applications for large grants
  • Focuses exclusively on Newberg and Yamhill County
  • Prioritizes nonprofits providing direct services in community, health, and education

Governance and Leadership

The Austin Family Foundation is led by the next generation of the Austin and Parrish families:

Key Leadership:

  • Loni L. Parrish - Chair/President (daughter of Ken and Joan Austin)
  • Kenneth Austin III - Director (son of Ken and Joan Austin)
  • Celia S. Austin - Director (wife of Kenneth Austin III)

According to IRS filings, the foundation reports no compensation for key officers and has no full-time employees.

Founding Legacy: Ken Austin Jr. (1932-2019) and Joan Austin founded both A-dec and established the vision for the foundation. Ken Austin was known for his engineering brilliance, humility, and sly sense of humor. As he explained their philosophy: "I asked my dad why he took milk down to the neighbor, and he said, 'We have more milk than we can drink, so we can share it with our neighbor who has no cow.'" Ken and Joan received the Vollum Award for Lifetime Philanthropic Achievement for their deep commitment to Oregon.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Small Grant Program:

Large Grant Program:

  • Invitation-Only: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications for large grants
  • Prospective grant recipients are identified by the foundation based on alignment with funding priorities and the needs assessment

Decision Timeline

Small Grants: Funded monthly, with decisions made on a rolling basis

Large Grants: Timeline varies; the foundation conducts strategic planning based on their periodic needs assessment

Success Rates

  • In 2023, the foundation made 38 grants totaling $1,647,091
  • In 2022, the foundation made 68 grants
  • Success rates are not publicly disclosed
  • The invitation-only nature of the large grant program suggests high success rates for invited applicants

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Organizations that have received grants appear to be eligible for continued support based on the pattern of multi-year funding to organizations like Providence Newberg Health Foundation and Newberg School District.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment with Needs Assessment: The foundation commissioned a comprehensive needs assessment through the Oregon Community Foundation focusing on five areas: demographic and social profile, economy and employment, education and training, health and human services, and arts and culture. Organizations addressing the identified challenges—economic opportunities, housing, mental health services, K-12 education, primary care, and family-wage jobs—are well-positioned for funding.

Local Focus and Impact: The foundation prioritizes organizations serving Newberg and Yamhill County residents. Demonstrating direct service to this specific geographic area is essential. Preference appears to be given to established local organizations with proven track records.

Collaborative Partnerships: Recent grants show the foundation values collaborative approaches. For example, their mental health support for schools involved partnerships between Providence and Newberg School District. Projects that leverage multiple community resources may be viewed more favorably.

Measurable Community Benefit: The foundation's philosophy centers on helping individuals "reach their full potential" and creating "meaningful and productive lives." Applications should clearly articulate how programs enable personal growth, skill development, or improved wellbeing for community members.

Multi-Year Vision: The foundation's commitment to updating their needs assessment every few years suggests they think strategically and long-term. Projects demonstrating sustainability and multi-year impact potential align with this approach.

Small Grants Program Approach: For organizations seeking smaller amounts, the accessible Small Grants Program provides an entry point. Success with a small grant may lead to consideration for larger invitation-only grants as the foundation identifies effective community partners.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic specificity matters: Your organization must serve Newberg/Dundee or Yamhill County residents. Clearly demonstrate your local presence and community connections.

  • Start with Small Grants for access: The rolling Small Grants Program (up to $10,000) is your accessible entry point. A successful small grant may lead to invitation for larger funding.

  • Align with the needs assessment priorities: The foundation uses data-driven strategic planning. Review the Oregon Community Foundation's Yamhill Needs and Opportunities Assessment to understand current priorities around mental health, education, housing, and economic opportunity.

  • Think invitation-only differently: While large grants are by invitation, building a strong track record through small grants or community visibility in their priority areas increases the likelihood of being identified for invitation.

  • Emphasize direct service impact: The foundation values programs that directly help individuals reach their potential. Focus on measurable outcomes for the people you serve, not just organizational activities.

  • Consider collaborative approaches: Multi-partner initiatives addressing systemic community challenges (like the school mental health partnerships) appear to receive significant support.

  • Demonstrate local roots and longevity: The Austin family's deep 60-year commitment to Newberg suggests they value organizations similarly embedded in the community with long-term vision.

References

Official Foundation Sources:

Financial Data:

News and Articles:

Background on Founders:

Community Needs Assessment:

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