Capital Grants for Building Maintenance, New Construction, & Vehicles Program

The Roundhouse Foundation Capital Grants for Building Maintenance, New Construction, and Vehicles program is designed to support capital projects that strengthen community-serving organizations across rural Oregon. As a private philanthropic foundation, Roundhouse focuses on investments that enhance infrastructure and expand access to essential services, recognizing that capital improvements and equipment acquisitions are often not covered by standard operating budgets. This program enables organizations to pursue strategic projects that improve their long-term capacity and impact. The grant program offers funding across three primary categories. Building Maintenance grants provide support for essential repairs and upgrades to existing facilities, helping ensure safe, functional, and sustainable environments. New Construction grants fund the development, expansion, or significant renovation of facilities that serve community needs, such as educational, health, or community centers. Vehicle Purchase grants support the acquisition of specialized vehicles that enable organizations to deliver services more effectively, particularly in rural or underserved areas. Funding amounts vary by project type, with Building Maintenance and Vehicle Purchase grants offering up to 25000 dollars each, and New Construction grants offering up to 100000 dollars. The foundation emphasizes that these grants are intended for capital expenses rather than operational costs. Additionally, Roundhouse limits organizations to one Capital Program grant per year, provided they do not have any other active grants with the foundation at the time of application. Eligibility for the program includes nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, government entities including special districts, and Tribal governments, all of which must be serving rural communities within the state of Oregon. This focus reflects the foundation’s mission to strengthen rural regions by investing in infrastructure and services that improve quality of life and community resilience. The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Inquiry through the foundation’s online portal. LOIs are accepted on a rolling basis from January through November 30 each year. This initial step allows applicants to introduce their project and determine alignment with the foundation’s priorities. Organizations with approved LOIs are subsequently invited to submit a full application, which includes more detailed project and organizational information. Following submission of a complete application, funding decisions are typically made within 8 to 12 weeks. While the program operates on an annual cycle with recurring LOI opportunities, the rolling review process allows for flexibility in submission timing. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that their proposals clearly demonstrate the need for capital investment, alignment with community priorities, and readiness to execute the proposed project.

Provide a detailed and realistic project budget; demonstrate strong community and financial support; ensure alignment with foundation focus areas; contact staff prior to submission for guidance