Wildhorse Foundation awards $515k in quarterly grant funding
By Terry Murry on Monday, May 19th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
MISSION – (News release from Wildhorse Foundation) The Wildhorse Foundation, a community fund managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in partnership with Wildhorse Resort & Casino, announced their grant awards for the first quarter of 2025.
A total of 40 organizations were awarded grants this period, in amounts ranging from $2,249 to $30,000, for projects in the areas of Public Health, Public Safety, Arts, Education, Environmental Protection, Historic Preservation, and Cultural Activities. The total amount awarded this quarter was $515,757.
In addition to the quarterly grants, five organizations recently received Rapid Response Grants in amounts of $1,500 or less. Rapid Response Grants are intended for small and immediate needs that surface throughout the year, and funding decisions are made within 30 days from an application’s submission.
Each year, the Wildhorse Foundation makes grants to eligible nonprofit, government, and Tribal organizations within the homeland area of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla people. Also eligible for funding are Tribal government agencies or Native American charitable organizations with their base of operations within Oregon, as well as National or Regional Indian Organizations.
The Wildhorse Foundation has awarded a total of over $19 million in grant funding since its establishment in 2001. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis with the deadlines being January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.
The formation of the Wildhorse Foundation was for the purpose of formalizing the charitable giving on behalf of the CTUIR and Wildhorse Resort & Casino. Every step of the Foundation’s review and decision-making process is geared towards building strong communities and healthy families in our giving area.
Below is the list of organizations and the grant amount awarded to each for the first quarter of 2025:
| Organization | Org. Location | Project Name | Awarded |
| Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians | Portland, OR | Support for ATNI Climate (Change) Teachers Workshop | $16,000.00 |
| Alpenfest | Enterprise, OR | Alpenfest | $6,000.00 |
| Arts Council of Pendleton Also Known As: Pendleton Center for the Arts | Pendleton, OR | Access to Youth Arts Education Programming for Rural Youth | $7,500.00 |
| Camas Prairie Cowboy Convention | Ukiah, OR | Ukiah Rodeo Grounds Seating Project | $30,000.00 |
| Catholic Charities Eastern Washington (legal dba) | Walla Walla, WA | Concrete Support and Behavioral Health Support for Youth and Young Adults At-Risk of/or Experiencing Homelessness | $10,000.00 |
| City of Elgin Ambulance Service | Elgin, OR | Extrication Tool | $18,473.00 |
| City of Enterprise | Enterprise, OR | Communications Project | $15,000.00 |
| City of Pendleton – Pendleton UAS Range | Pendleton, OR | 2025 High School and Early College Summer Drone Internships | $7,847.00 |
| City of Pendleton, Parks Department | Pendleton, OR | Pendleton Parks & Rec Water Safety Program | $20,800.00 |
| Communities in Schools Benton-Franklin | Kennewick, OR | Food and Basic Needs Supplies for Benton County Students and Families | $20,000.00 |
| Elgin Parks & Recreation District | Elgin, OR | Elgin Community Center Roof Repair | $10,000.00 |
| Enterprise Elementary School | Enterprise, OR | Enterprise School District- Community Spaces | $14,200.00 |
| Families First Childcare | Boardman, OR | Families First Child Care – Equipment & Supplies | $11,100.00 |
| Friends of the Opera House | Elgin, OR | Truss and Headset Project | $15,000.00 |
| Gesa Power House Theatre | Walla Walla, WA | Shakespeare arts education programs for students from rural community in Washington state | $5,000.00 |
| Growing Hope of Eastern Oregon | Pendleton, OR | Supporting Individuals in Addiction Recovery | $10,000.00 |
| Helix Charter School | Helix, OR | Soccer, Track and Field update | $10,200.00 |
| Irrigon Rural Fire Protection District | Irrigon, OR | IRRIGON Fire Required Fire Protective Equipment | $16,239.00 |
| Mirror Ministries | Richland, WA | Mirror Ministries Outreach Center – Downstairs Bathroom Remodel | $15,000.00 |
| Mokuhanga Project Space | Walla Walla, WA | 2025 Summer Studio Workspace Residency | $2,249.00 |
| Oregon Community Health Workers Association | Portland, OR | Food Sovereignty and Environmental Health Project | $5,000.00 |
| Oregon High School Equestrian Team (OHSET) | La Grande, OR | Blue Mountain OHSET – New District Startup | $15,749.00 |
| Oregon Parks Forever | Portland, OR | Track Trails in Umatilla County | $11,400.00 |
| Pendleton Children’s Center | Pendleton, OR | Roof canopy for child care entrance | $20,000.00 |
| Pendleton Sports Center | Pendleton, OR | Pendleton Sports Center Construction | $30,000.00 |
| Pioneer Relief Nursery | Pendleton, OR | Agency Vehicle | $20,000.00 |
| Prescott School District | Prescott, WA | Creating Joyful Noise; Recreation of the Tk-12th Grade Prescott School District Music Program | $10,000.00 |
| Reach Out and Read Inc. | Boston, MA | Reach Out and Read for Children and Families in Walla Walla, Benton, Union, Umatilla and Wallowa Counties | $5,000.00 |
| Richland Fire and Emergency Services | Richland, WA | Procurement of Extrication Tools – 2025 | $15,900.00 |
| Shriners Children’s Portland | Portland, OR | Expanding Pediatric Orthopedic Care to Eastern Oregon and Washington Communities | $10,000.00 |
| South Morrow County Seniors Matter | Heppner, OR | Honor And Assist Morrow County Veterans | $9,000.00 |
| Sweet Potato’s Closet | Hermiston, OR | Sweet Potato’s Closet: Essential Support for Families | $3,900.00 |
| Therapeutic Riding of Tri-Cities (TROT) | Kennewick, WA | Parking & Paddock Lighting Project | $3,000.00 |
| Tiicham Conservation District | Pendleton, OR | Second Foods Program | $10,000.00 |
| Umatilla County Historical Society | Pendleton, OR | Technology Upgrade Phase 1 | $10,700.00 |
| Umatilla County Housing Authority | Hermiston, OR | Liberty Village | $20,000.00 |
| Union County Friday Backpack Program | La Grande, OR | The Union County Friday Backpack Program 2025-2026 School Year | $10,000.00 |
| Union Rural Fire Protection District | Union, OR | Wildland Equipment Upgrade | $20,000.00 |
| Walla Walla Valley Disability Network | Walla Walla, WA | Autism Social Skills Classes for Students and Parents | $10,500.00 |
| YOUTH 360 | La Grande, OR | YOUTH 360 Van | $15,000.00 |
| Total | $515,757.00 |
