grayff.org | facebook.com/grayff | FEBRUARY 2024

Gray Family Foundation Board & Staff Updates

Gray Family Foundation welcomes two new Board members in 2024: Lisa Watt and Jon Finney. They’ll join current members, Maria Ramos Underwood, Chair; Les Perkins, Vice Chair; Zavier Borja, Treasurer; and Traci Rossi and Sarah Gray.

Lisa J. Watt, was appointed to our board by the Oregon Community Foundation. She brings over 40 years of professional experience working in the museum world as well as experience as Ecotrust’s Director of the Indigenous Leadership Program, which elevates and honors the achievements of Indigenous leaders across our region. In addition to our board, Lisa serves on the board of the Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts and the Native advisory boards of the Portland Art Museum and Nesika Wilamut. Lisa is an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians.

Jon Finney was appointed to our board by the Gray Family Council. He is the Managing Director of Research within the US Wealth division of the Bank of Montreal and, from 2014-2022, served on Gray Family Foundation’s Finance & Investment committee. He also worked closely with the State of Oregon to align its investments with its mission of enhancing the economy statewide and contributes his expertise to the Oregon Capital Scan.

We are thrilled to welcome both members to Gray Family Foundation. You can find out more about Lisa and Jon and our other members here.

We are also happy to announce that Nell Tessman, who joined Gray Family Foundation in 2018 as a Program Officer, has been recognized for her significant contributions in deepening our impact, building trust, and strengthening leadership within our grantee communities with the title of Senior Program Officer. She has been instrumental in helping us reach new communities and in our work to create an inclusive, equitable and diverse state where all access to meaningful experiences in the outdoors.

2024 Outdoor School Gathering: January 30 - February 1, 2024

We appreciate everyone who was able to join us for the 2024 Outdoor School Gathering last week at the 4-H Center in Salem. We hope the experience gave all participants an opportunity to deepen your commitment to equity work in outdoor education, cultivate relationships, and build community with other outdoor school educators, programs, sites, and partners. The Gathering provided the opportunity for participants to engage in professional learning around best practices, curriculum and instruction, high school leadership programs, and culturally responsive outdoor education.

Visit the OSU Extension Outdoor School Events page and Friends of Outdoor School Events page for upcoming opportunities to connect and continue learning together after the Gathering.

Grantee Highlight: Salem-Keizer School District's Native Education Program

Since 2017, Oregon public schools are required to include American Indian and Alaska Native curriculum for students of all backgrounds. The Salem Keizer School District's Native Education Program creates a space specifically for AIAN students to deepen their understanding and build on what they learn through a more hands-on approach. The focus on geography fosters connection to the ways land, people, and resources are traditionally valued, and how this impacts past and current culture and values, such as the treatment of Tribal elders, and the ways the earth and water are protected. Read full story.

Youth Environmental Education News

During the month of December, Beyond Toxic's youth advocate team worked with teachers in two high schools serving predominantly youth of color and youth enrolled in alternative educational options and the classes studied local environmental injustice issues to learn about the history of pollution in their own Bethel neighborhood and envision a new future moving forward. This collaboration inspired the organization to create a new section on their website called Youth Corner that allows students a place to display their creations and highlight projects by and for Oregon youth. Check out the student art and read their comments about their creative approach.

Blue Sky Funders Forum is Hiring

Blue Sky Funders Forum is seeking a Communications Manager to lead and implement our general communications initiatives, strengthen Blue Sky’s voice and presence, and spearhead the next phase of Rethink Outside™, a shared narrative campaign that reframes meaningful connections to the outdoors as a human right. Please find the job announcement linked here. They are accepting applications through February 29, 2024.

Environmental Education:

Applications are due March 22, 2024

Outdoor School and Camp Maintenance:

Applications due January 22, 2024, May 6, 2024, August 9, 2024, and October 18, 2024

(More details are available at: https://grayff.org/grants/)