The Woodard Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $260,000-$350,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 8-12 weeks (varies by board meeting schedule)
• Grant Range: $2,000 - $100,000
• Geographic Focus: N. Douglas and S. Lane Counties, Oregon

Contact Details

Website: www.woodardff.com
Phone: 541-343-9402
Email: tyson@woodardff.com
Administrator: Tyson Woodard
Mailing Address: PO Box 10666, Eugene, OR 97440
Physical Address: 40 South 6th Street, Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424

Overview

The Woodard Family Foundation, established in 1952 by lumber industry pioneer Walter A. Woodard with an initial gift of $25,000, is the eighth oldest family foundation in Oregon. By 2009, the foundation's corpus had grown to $17 million and had distributed 2,480 grants totaling $6.5 million. The foundation operates with a deep commitment to place-based philanthropy, focusing exclusively on supporting religious, charitable, scientific, and educational causes in Cottage Grove and Lane County. Now involving its fifth generation of family members, the foundation continues its founder's vision of fostering independence and long-term community impact through strategic grantmaking that prioritizes sustainability over quick fixes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Single grantmaking program: $2,000 - $100,000 (Two-step application process: Letter of Initial Inquiry followed by invitation-only Formal Grant Request)
• Application method: Rolling basis with periodic board meeting reviews

Priority Areas

• Arts: Community theaters, cultural programs, and arts organizations
• Education: K-12 schools, educational programs, scholarships, library operations, technology updates
• Health: Community medical centers, healthcare facilities, mental health services
• Human Services: Youth and family services, recreational programming, community facilities
• Environment: Environmental conservation and public interest projects

What They Don't Fund

• Grants to individuals
• Organizations outside their defined geographic service area (N. Douglas and S. Lane Counties)
• Non-501(c)(3) organizations (except public governmental units)

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership: Tyson Woodard (Administrator), Dena Woodard-McCoy (Board Member, Fourth Generation), plus fifth-generation family members on the board.

According to Dena Woodard-McCoy in a December 2024 interview: "Exercising that critical choice is philanthropic freedom. As a family foundation they seek giving opportunities according to their values." She emphasized that the foundation "endeavors not only to be an immediate solution to others' needs but to help foster long-term impact and self-sustainability through their giving choices."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit one-page Letter of Initial Inquiry (fillable PDF on website) to tyson@woodardff.com or hand deliver to 40 South 6th Street, Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
Step 2: If invited after board review, submit two-page Grant Application Cover Sheet with five required attachments

Decision Timeline

• Administrator acknowledges receipt within 7 days
• Board review at periodic meetings (schedule not publicly disclosed)
• Notification about advancing to formal request stage follows board meeting
• Grants typically awarded for one year (multi-year funding available for special interest projects)

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed - contact administrator for guidance

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and grant history:

• Strong Geographic Connection: Must clearly serve N. Douglas and S. Lane Counties (Yoncalla to Creswell, Lorane west, including Greater London and Dorena)
• Alignment with Founder's Values: Walter A. Woodard "believed in preparing for the future, making lasting community impact for the greater good" - emphasize building community capacity and long-term sustainability
• Demonstrated Community Impact: Foundation has funded major infrastructure projects including $100,000 for PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Center, $333,700 for youth services
• Place-Based Philanthropy: Foundation's "primary giving is done with their founder's intent of place-based philanthropy which keeps their board focused on local community needs"
• Sustainability Focus: Projects should foster independence rather than dependency

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable - ensure clear service to N. Douglas and S. Lane Counties before applying
• Start with Letter of Initial Inquiry - this pre-screening process saves time for both parties
• Emphasize sustainability and long-term community capacity building over short-term solutions
• Foundation values ongoing relationships - 84 grants to Boy Scouts, 47 to healthcare projects demonstrate repeat funding
• Frame projects around Walter A. Woodard's lumber industry values of self-reliance and future planning
• Respond promptly - administrator acknowledges submissions within 7 days, setting professional communication standard
• Consider multi-generational impact - as a fifth-generation foundation, they value projects with lasting benefit

References

• Woodard Family Foundation official website: https://www.woodardff.com (accessed March 10, 2026)
• How to Apply page: https://www.woodardff.com/how-to-apply (accessed March 10, 2026)
• Foundation history: https://www.woodardff.com/foundation (accessed March 10, 2026)
• Grant Profiles: https://www.woodardff.com/grant-profiles (accessed March 10, 2026)
• Philanthropy Roundtable interview "Preparing the Next Generation with The Woodard Family Foundation" (December 2024): https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/preparing-the-next-generation-with-the-woodard-family-foundation/ (accessed March 10, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/936026550 (accessed March 10, 2026)
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/woodard-family-foundation,936026550/ (accessed March 10, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=WOOD017 (accessed March 10, 2026)