BCF Community Impact
OCTOBER 16, 2018
BCF grants $734,000 to Clemens Community Pool in Philomath
On October 17, 2018, the Benton Community Foundation announced a major gift of $734,000 from the Philomath Community Pool Fund to the Clemens Community Pool in Philomath. This transformational gift will fund essential repairs and upgrades needed to keep the pool open and operating for another decade. The endowed fund was established 25 years ago by the Nitka family to maintain a pool for the greater Philomath community.
MAY 23, 2018
Corvallis Public Schools receive $15,000 for Sources of Strength
In May 2018, the Benton Community Foundation presented $15,000 to Corvallis Public Schools for the purpose of starting a new youth wellness initiative. The “Sources of Strength” program will focus on preventing teen suicide by building positive support networks between teachers and students, and students and their peers. The gift was accompanied by an additional $10,000 from Larry and Barbara Mullins’ Mullins Charitable Fund.
OCTOBER 24, 2017
Boy Scout Troop 170 honored as youth heroes
In August 2017, in the mountainous terrain of the Goat Rocks Wilderness in southwest Washington, eight Boy Scouts and two adult trip leaders were three days into a six-day, fifty-mile backpacking trip when Pat O’Malley, a parent leader on the trip, was injured, suffering a broken bone. The Scouts spent two days evacuating him, and in October were awarded the Holcomb Youth Hero Award for their efforts.
OCTOBER 18, 2017
BCF announces ‘Homeless to Housing Community Initiative’
The Benton Community Foundation is pleased to announce the Homeless to Housing Community Initiative. With the help of local communities, BCF has provided more than $82,000 in funding this year to support the basic needs of people experiencing homelessness and the comprehensive services which help people move up and out of poverty. The goal of this initiative is to raise additional funding that will support the local continuum of care for those experiencing homelessness in Benton County.
AUGUST 28, 2017
Students partner with BCF to prevent teen suicide
On May 31, 2016, high school senior Seniu Maitland took his own life. Shaken by his death, four OSU students who are close to the Maitland family began raising money to establish a fund with the Benton Community Foundation, aiming to confront the problem of teen suicid, spread awareness among educators, dismantle the taboo of talking about teen suicide, and improve access to care.