2025 Youth Empowerment and Action Grants

To provide accessible and free after-school STEM engagement opportunities for elementary school students and to develop leadership and group management skills for high school volunteers.

For middle school SAFE (Students Advocating For Equity) members to connect with college students and young adults in the Corvallis Climbers of Color (CCOC) at Valley Rock Gym. CCOC is an organization rooted in creating access and community within climbing and the outdoors for BIPOC in Corvallis and PNW.

To purchase soccer goals for the K-8 school to foster fairness during gameplay, promote active participation during recess, and encourage student relationships and teamwork.

For the Green Team to purchase supplies that will be used to make a cougar—the school mascot—from recycled materials and to increase sustainability efforts by providing lessons on proper recycling and the benefits of repurposing non-recyclable materials.

To purchase a Brent B Pottery Wheel for art students to explore the basics of throwing clay and to broaden the depth of ceramic art education.

To fund a week of cultural celebration that will immerse CHS students in diverse cultures through different traditions surrounding art, music, food, and clothing. The celebration is designed to increase visibility and representation, and to create a safer, more inclusive environment.

To protect the Urban Farm chickens from the elements by purchasing supplies to build a permanent enclosure for them. The project will help protect the chickens from transmissible diseases and provide students experience in carpentry and building.

To host a BIPOC Open Mic Night with a student art gallery to increase awareness of BIPOC musicians, artists, comedians, poets, and other performers.

To promote self-reliance and sustainability through a student-run bike shop to gain experience with bicycle maintenance and repair skills.

To support the CHS Robotics team in purchasing supplies and materials that will increase students’ capacity to design, process, and manufacture designs, and significantly increase the number of students able to participate in gaining real-world experience in commercially used equipment.

To provide financial assistance for CVHS Youth and Government Club members to attend an annual conference in Salem. Students will participate and interact in Oregon’s legislative and lawmaking process and will build skills in problem-solving, speech and debate, and empower the next generation of leaders and lawmakers.