The average Schnitzer Cares grant is $3,000-$5,000.

Fundraising is an important part of the Schnitzer Cares student experience. Each group has been guaranteed $7,500 from The CARE Foundation for grantmaking. We ask each group to try to raise $750 to add to this amount. Every dollar the students raise up to that goal is matched with $10 by The CARE Foundation.

If your organization receives a grant from a school, it already reflects The CARE Foundation’s match. That amount is the final amount for the grant.

The CARE Foundation does not require any follow-up reporting from Schnitzer Cares recipients. However, the students who awarded the grant may ask for a report or letter if they choose.

A representative from your organization (employee, board member, volunteer, or friend of the organization) must attend the Grant Awards Ceremony in May to receive the grant. If your organization receives multiple grants, you may need to attend multiple ceremonies to receive each grant.

All 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations whose work directly benefits the residents of the State of Oregon are eligible to apply. If your organization is located outside of Oregon, you may only apply for program funding that would be used in Oregon. Please keep in mind that the student mission statements will often identify specific geographic areas they would like to serve.

If your organization is located in Oregon but your programming benefits people outside of Oregon, you are not eligible for a Schnitzer Cares grant.

Yes! You are welcome to apply to any group whose mission statement aligns with your organization’s work.

 Create a general cover letter that speaks to all the mission statements you are applying to. Submit a single Grant Application form and check all the mission statement boxes that align. (Students don’t see that page. We take it out when we organize all the materials.)

Create tailored cover letters that highlight specific aspects of your organization to meet the unique concerns of different mission statements. Groups will receive the cover letter specifically designed for them. Submit a single Grant Application Form and check all the boxes that align.

Please do not submit tailored cover letters if you are only making minor changes to the letter

 (such as including a mission statement # or customizing the salutation – please use “Dear Schnitzer Cares Grantmakers” instead). This makes the admin on the back-end much more difficult.

tailored Grant Application Forms. Orgs that choose this option usually have a variety of different programs and want to match a request for program support to a specific cover letter. This option requires multiple uploads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply for a Grant

Schnitzer Cares is a youth-led program. All decisions are made by students who work together in independent groups to identify funding priorities and evaluate non profit applicants. This program is designed to maximize student learning while providing a responsive source of funding to Oregon communities.

How it works

Steps & Timelines

Student groups develop a mission statement that captures their funding priorities for that school year.

MISSION STATEMENTS

Non profits review student mission statements and submit application materials during the Public Submission window.

APPLICATIONS

Schnitzer Cares groups will schedule and conduct interviews with potential grant recipients.

INTERVIEWS

Applicants receive a notification from student leaders about the outcome of their interview.

DECISIONS

Non profits receive their funds at a closing Grant Awards Ceremony. Attendance is required in order to receive a Schnitzer Cares grant.

CELEBRATIONS

Schnitzer Cares: For Non Profits

Each mission statement below represents an independent group of grantmakers. A nonprofit can apply to any mission statement that aligns with its work. Please read the statements carefully.

Student Mission Statements

Addiction + Substance Abuse

Adult Education + Enrichment

Affordable Housing

Animal Welfare

Arts + Culture

BIPOC Community

Basic Needs + Shelter

Domestic + Sexual Violence

Eastern Oregon

Elders

Employment Services + Career Training

Environment

Food Access

Foster Youth

Gender Justice

Gun Violence

Healthcare Access

Homelessness

LGBTQ+ Community

Legal Services

Mental Health

North Coast

People with Disabilities

Racial Justice

Refugee + Immigrant Communities

Single Parents

Testing 123

Transportation

Youth Education + Enrichment

test

The students of Alliance High School will be granting money to organizations in the 

 that bring joy to adults with developmental disabilities by offering interest-based experiences. We believe people with developmental disabilities deserve opportunities and experiences that enrich their lives and allow them to pursue their interests in meaningful ways. We would like more people with developmental disabilities to have access to programs that allow them to make friends and increase their sense of belonging, self-love, and confidence. We are especially interested in supporting programs that offer access to the arts, outdoors, or recreational fitness.

The students at Astoria High School have chosen to focus their efforts on organizations that seek to help and provide food access and shelter in the Pacific Northwest to low-income and needy people. We work to empower our community to focus on initiatives that build health, well-being, and stability. We will focus on organizations that ensure food security and supportive housing, while striving for even better ways to change the lives of those needing such services in 

Leadership students at Astoria Middle School will be granting money to nonprofit organizations in Oregon that provide addiction prevention and recovery support services. We will focus on organizations that provide prevention education, accessible care, and comprehensive support to teens, young adults, and families impacted by addiction. We believe people should get early support and should have stable and loving care throughout their journey to recovery. We would like to see less people struggling with addiction because they could not access adequate healthcare, and we would like to lessen the impact addiction has on families, especially in 

Clatsop County and other rural communities across our state

The Advanced Leadership students at Benson Polytechnic High School will be awarding grants to nonprofits that provide medical aid to underserved populations in the 

, including seniors, immigrants, refugees, and those seeking asylum. We want to contribute to providing better access to medical support and bill relief. We firmly believe individuals should be given the right to receive medical access regardless of race, age, gender, or legal status. Due to the fact that more than 12,000 underserved Oregonians will need to find new medical coverage for 2025, our goal is to see that nonprofits ensure equitable access to healthcare and do not discriminate or deny care to anyone in need.

We, the AVID 11 students at Benson Polytechnic High School, will be granting money to organizations working to improve the foster care system in the 

. This issue is especially important to us because teens in the foster care system are often overlooked and 80% of teens age out of the system yearly. They must know they are not alone and not forgotten. We believe teens in the system deserve to have access to mental and physical health services because the foster care system can be a traumatizing experience to go through. We hope for teens, both in and coming out of the system, to have a fulfilling life with stability and no empty promises. We believe necessities for all teens should be the same. In granting money, we hope to provide both legal and emotional support, as well as academic help. We hope that as a result of our grants, teenagers in the system and those who have aged out will have a sense of security and feel not only protected, but also seen by their community.

The Schnitzer Cares AVID 12 students at Benson Polytechnic High School will be granting money to organizations providing addiction rehabilitation services for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in the 

. We believe youth are negatively impacted by addiction. We want to support rehabilitation services that strengthen youth health and improve their futures. We will focus on organizations that help those who are ages 12-21 with treatment options, therapy, housing, and education. The AVID 12 group would like to see more accessible treatment options for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.

Our mission this year as the Catlin Gabel Schnitzer Cares Club is to address the prominent issue of drug addiction by supporting local nonprofit organizations that run rehabilitation services, prioritizing nonprofits that offer inpatient rehabilitation care. In particular, we hope to support their counseling programs, striving to empower individuals on their path to recovery and wellness. We want to support rehabilitation services because we have seen first-hand the drastic impacts of drug addiction on the 

 and its links to houselessness, and we believe those seeking recovery should not be impaired by a lack of funding.

The Central Catholic Schnitzer Cares Gold Group would like to offer grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on both preventative and immediate relief to individuals who suffer from mental health issues. We see this lack of support specifically in marginalized communities. Though we are generally looking at mental health services, we would like to prioritize organizations that focus on suicide prevention and recovery. We believe that by ensuring the well-being of all members of our community, 

 will ultimately become a better and safer place to live for all.

The Schnitzer Cares students of Central Catholic High School’s Cardinal Group will be granting money to organizations providing drug rehabilitation and addiction support to people struggling with these issues in the 

. We believe the ongoing addiction crisis in our community is a severe problem, and those struggling need help and compassion. We will focus on organizations that have support services to help those struggling with addiction and we would like to see people who are suffering get the help they need, as well as improvement in the quality of the resources given to them.

The Schnitzer Cares students at Century High School will be granting money to organizations that provide programs to young adults affected by mental health struggles in 

. We see that many of our youth in Oregon are dealing with higher percentages of anxiety and depression. Compared to the national average, Oregon’s percentage of youth affected by mental health challenges is 40% higher. Youth mental health and motivation to improve has significantly decreased since the pandemic. We will focus on organizations that provide support and services to young adults that will help them feel seen and relate to them on a personal level. Our end goal is that young adults suffering from anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses in Washington County will have the resources and support needed to improve their mental and emotional skills in order to thrive in everyday life.

The CommuniCare Chapter at Clackamas High School is committed to supporting homeless teenagers and young families in the 

. Our goal is to assist them in overcoming food and housing insecurities. We will prioritize organizations that provide food to families and youth in need through food banks and free food markets, as well as organizations that support and provide affordable housing opportunities and education. Our CommuniCare Chapter has seen the impact homelessness has had on our community, and we strive to support those in need. We aim to alleviate the strain that homelessness has had on young individuals.

We, the Intro to Leadership students at Cleveland High School, are looking to support nonprofits that specialize in mental illnesses affecting youth in the 

. This includes organizations that advocate for the mental well-being of teens. This is crucial to us because many students in our school struggle with mental health and we see the effects first-hand. We know this is impacting young adults and by focusing on this issue, we hope to improve our community as a whole.

The Advanced Leadership students at Cleveland High School are deeply impacted by the prevalence of gun violence within the greater Portland Metro Area. We have seen this crisis first-hand with the shootings that occurred at Cleveland High School and other surrounding Portland Public Schools. We saw how easily guns can cause unimaginable pain to the people in our city. We are dedicated to preventing gun violence within our community and to supporting efforts to implement policies that limit gun violence within the 

The Building Consent Culture Class at Cleveland High School has chosen to focus our efforts on advocacy for violence prevention education and comprehensive sex education. We would like to prioritize organizations that advocate for quality education that includes learning about misogyny, gender socialization, gender justice, and equality. We acknowledge the stigma that exists surrounding discussions on these topics in schools, but we also have observed and benefitted from having safe spaces to openly talk and learn. We believe comprehensive sex education in and outside of school should be accessible to all and is a necessary step towards violence prevention. Through this, we hope to see a decrease in dating and relationship violence. We are open to nonprofits focused on any age demographics within the 

The Schnitzer Cares students of Cleveland’s Alliance for Racial Equity at Cleveland High School plan to grant funds to organizations that focus on supporting and hiring BIPOC educators, tutors, leaders, coaches, and mentors in the 

. BIPOC teachers specifically are found to have less support and are more isolated, creating disproportionate obstacles to overcome. In the US, students of color make up about 50% of all public school students, while teachers of color only make up 21% of public school teachers. In Portland, this ratio is even more disproportionate. It is a fact that having even one teacher of color from 1st to 12th grade has a tremendously positive impact on the future of minority students. All youth benefit from having educators with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Our goal is to support the furtherance of more diverse systems in Portland, especially related to education, and give students of color the opportunities they deserve for success.

The Schnitzer Cares students at Corbett High School will be granting money to organizations dedicated to animal welfare services in 

. We believe greater support is needed to protect vulnerable animals and to raise awareness around the issue of animal welfare. Our focus will be on organizations that establish improved systems of care for animals in need. We would like to see greater awareness about this issue in our community, and we hope to see more animals receive necessary medical care and find their forever homes.

The "Doing Art" Performance Art Class of Creekside Community High School will be granting money to organizations that support access to performing arts for marginalized school-aged people in the 

. We believe the arts are an important outlet for people that gives them a space to share their thoughts and feelings. We have learned that children who take part in the arts are at least five times more likely to graduate high school, regardless of socio-economic status. We will focus on organizations that provide art services and/or experiences to K-12 school-aged students. We would like to see people flourish socially and academically, and also build confidence in themselves.

We, the Student Council of David Douglas High School, in collaboration with Schnitzer Cares, will be granting money to organizations that provide access to medical and mental healthcare, prioritizing people impacted by domestic violence and gun violence, in the 

. We believe the low-income citizens of our community should be able to acquire access to healthcare regardless of cost. We will focus on organizations that provide physical healthcare and preventive education specifically to victims of violence; as well as mental healthcare such as therapy and counseling. We would like to see debt relief for everyone and a decrease in the negative stigma associated with seeking help, in hopes to uplift individuals and create a safer community.

The Schnitzer Cares students of Mr. VanVickle's Link Crew Class at David Douglas High School will grant our money to organizations focusing on expanding the academic and extracurricular opportunities for youth in 

. A large portion of the adults in our community lack higher education, with many having never graduated high school or earned their GED. We know that a widespread lack of education leads to socio-economic obstacles. We hope to see an increase in graduation rates, as well as an increase of people seeking higher education.

The Schnitzer Cares students of Ms. Mack’s Link Crew Class at David Douglas High School will be granting money to organizations that seek to prevent domestic and sexual violence through support, resources, and comprehensive education within diverse communities of 

. We believe domestic and sexual violence is a major contributor to homelessness and has a great effect on everyone, regardless of housing status. We will focus on organizations that provide different types of hands-on therapy and additional educational resources on sexual health for youth and young adults (ages 10 to mid-20s), and we would like to see a sustained drop in sexual and domestic violence rates in Multnomah County.

The Schnitzer Cares students of Ms. Montoya's Link Crew Class at David Douglas High School will be dedicating money to organizations that promote access to medical and mental health services in our underserved immigrant and refugee community in the Portland Metro Area. We believe services for immigrants and refugees are often inaccessible, so we will focus on organizations that will provide free to low-cost medical and mental healthcare in 

Multnomah County, with an emphasis on SE Portland

. We strive to provide culturally-informed healthcare options, empowering our underserved communities to receive the care they need with dignity and respect. We are committed to seeing a healthier, more inclusive city for our immigrant and refugee community.

The Forest Grove Schnitzer Cares Committee has chosen to support organizations that serve to fight food insecurity in 

, specifically those that prioritize supporting adolescents. Our group has found that food insecurity is something we see around us, and we want to help combat it by helping fund organizations that utilize food that may have gone to waste. Our mission is to make people feel confident in where they will get their next meal and make a difference in ending food waste. Food is a basic human right that everyone should have access to.

We, the Schnitzer Cares students of the Franklin High School Lightning Mart Grey Team, will be granting money to organizations that address young adult, youth, and family houselessness in the 

. We believe houselessness has become a major problem in the last five years and has brought significant negative impacts for youth in our community in particular. We will focus on organizations that prioritize serving young people and children impacted by houselessness. We are particularly interested in nonprofits that offer programming such as mental health support, fundamental healthcare services, educational support, and providing for young people’s basic needs like food and safe places to sleep. We would like to see young people and children, especially those who are most vulnerable, uplifted and given the opportunities and resources they need to be safe, secure, and stable.

The Schnitzer Cares students in the Franklin High School Maroon Student Store Management & Philanthropy Class will be granting money to organizations providing support and services for people in need of affordable housing in the 

Portland Metro Area, prioritizing organizations specifically serving people in SE Portland

. We believe everyone deserves a place to call home, and we want people in the community to have access to affordable housing. We will focus on organizations that specialize in helping people achieve long-term housing stability through direct services and educational opportunities such as financial literacy programs. By empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources they need, we aim to see a significant improvement in housing stability and financial literacy among the residents of SE Portland. Our ultimate goal is to create a community where everyone has access to stable and affordable housing, as well as the tools to maintain it.

The Schnitzer Cares students of Franklin High School AVID 10 will be granting money to organizations that provide food banks and food drives for families who are struggling in 

. We believe food is a human right and it should be accessible to everyone. Food is something you need for energy and to live. We will prioritize organizations that focus on families in shelters who are impacted by poverty. By the end of this process, we would like to see less people hungry and we specifically hope to have an impact on people in shelters and people who are struggling.

We, the Schnitzer Cares AVID 11 students at Franklin High School, will be granting money to organizations in the 

 that are working to reduce gun violence and help our community heal from its effects, focusing on stopping gun violence, providing mental health support, and offering programs for youth who have been impacted by violence. We believe young people are dealing with the effects of gun violence, whether they have been hurt themselves, lost a loved one, or are struggling with the emotional impact of violence. We will focus on organizations that provide support like medical help, funeral assistance, and mental health counseling to help young people heal. We will also focus on programs that work to prevent violence by creating strong community connections, offering positive activities, and helping youth get involved in safe and supportive environments; these can include programs like sports, arts, or mentorship that help kids feel connected and supported. Finally, we will also focus on groups that raise awareness about gun violence and its effects on our communities. We would like to see less gun violence in our community and create a safer, healthier environment for young people to grow and thrive.

At Glencoe High School, we strive to tackle arguably the most pressing issue in the 

, houselessness. We’ve seen the repercussions of houselessness in community members, families, and students at our school. With this in mind, we recognize that houselessness can be accompanied by severe effects on those experiencing it, and therefore we will focus on nonprofits that provide services to address hunger and abuse among those who are houseless. We believe access to resources regarding houselessness shouldn't have barriers, and that this access can make all the difference in turning around someone's life. As a school, and as a Schnitzer Cares committee, our goal is to support local nonprofit organizations that seek to provide resources to all houseless people, regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, income, or ability. We strive to offer our funds to nonprofits whose goal is to serve all people and to curb the negative effects of houselessness, providing hope to those in need in our greater community.

The Grant High School Schnitzer Cares: Student Grantmaking Club will be granting funds to organizations providing access to nutritious foods for individuals experiencing either houselessness or housing insecurity in the 

. We decided on this service area given the importance of nutrition for overall health and well-being. Emphasis will be on organizations that work to provide longer-term food security and make considerations for minimizing food waste. Additional prioritization will be given to groups that provide groceries to those experiencing housing insecurity. We believe all people are entitled to food that nourishes their bodies and that access to adequate quality and quantity of food should not be a barrier to an individual’s well-being.

We, the Period 7 AVID Class at Grant High School, will be granting money to organizations in the 

 that support teen and young adult addiction and overdose prevention. We believe addiction is a disease with a lack of support and one of the biggest issues for teens and young adults today. We are excited to include organizations that offer prevention-focused education and harm reduction, especially regarding fentanyl, but also organizations that provide wrap-around services and housing to addicted or impacted teens and young adults. We hope to see fewer fentanyl overdoses, lower rates of teen addiction, and help to create a safer future for Portland teens.

We, the Period 8 AVID Class at Grant High School, will grant money to organizations in the 

 that provide resources to those experiencing or who have experienced domestic violence. We believe people have the right to feel safe and comfortable in their homes. We will prioritize programs that focus on prevention and education, as well as programs that focus on teens and young adults. We hope our work might lead to more people feeling secure in their homes through reliable resources such as shelters and wrap-around services.

Our Period 3 Leadership Class at Grant High School is dedicated to supporting families in the 

 who are facing financial challenges, particularly families with young children. Our mission is to provide essential care and resources (including medical/reproductive healthcare services, hygiene products, shelter/housing access, clothing and shoes, and food and water) for families so they can achieve stability and a better quality of life. We will prioritize organizations that support parents who are impacted by addiction. Driven by our personal experiences and deep commitment to making a positive impact, we aim to foster hope and create lasting change in our community.

The National Honor Society students of Gresham High School have chosen to focus their efforts on organizations that seek to provide services to immigrants and refugees from ages 0-17 in 

. These resources may include (but are not limited to) food, hygiene, mental support services, educational services, and free medical services. We believe there needs to be more resources for immigrants and refugees in order to help them overcome their situations, thus providing adequate resources will uplift these individuals. We will prioritize organizations that advocate for the overall well-being of immigrants and refugees by accessing resources and providing them to these individuals. We are hopeful to see these groups of people overcome their hardships and succeed in their new communities.

The Hermiston High School Key Club is excited to participate in the 2024-2025 Schnitzer Cares program. Our committee has dedicated this year's mission to creating a positive impact for immigrants and refugees of all ages. We will prioritize organizations in the 

, but we would be happy to consider organizations serving 

. We are particularly interested in hearing from organizations that specialize in bringing immigrants and refugees access to medical care, language and translation services, and citizenship services. The committee at the Hermiston High School Key Club firmly believes in providing immigrants and refugees with access to the services and unwavering support that they need to thrive in their communities.

We are students of Hillsboro High School’s 4th Period Theory of Knowledge Class who will be granting money to organizations that provide medical assistance to people impacted by poverty in the 

. We believe medical care should not be discriminatory and should be accessible to everyone. We will focus on organizations actively seeking out those who need help the most within the community, ensuring those in need receive robust medical care without cost (if possible) through services like mobile medical care units, transportation to and from medical facilities, financial aid for treatments, and basic medical care. We would like to see more people seeking quality medical care without fear of a bill they do not have the ability to pay.

We are students at Hillsboro High School and a committee from the 6th Period Theory of Knowledge Class. We believe in supporting current victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse because they need a network of support to recover, heal, and thrive. This includes access to safe housing, medical care, counseling, and other resources. This group is underrepresented, and the seriousness of the issue is not adequately acknowledged by the community. By supporting survivors in the 

, we hope to contribute to building a community where everyone feels safe and protected.

The Schnitzer Cares students, a part of Jefferson High School’s Black Student Union, will be granting money to organizations that provide prevention efforts and support to women of color affected by sexual assault or abuse in the 

. Women of color, specifically black women, are more likely to face sexual assault and abuse in their lifetime. Sexual assault and abuse can often be normalized in these communities, so women of color don’t often feel they need support or that they can be supported. We would like to fund organizations with an aligned vision of sexual assault and abuse prevention and who offer services and support for those leaving a dangerous situation or being put in a dangerous situation. As students, we recognize the lack of acknowledgment of these issues. We will focus on organizations that support women of color dealing with abuse and assault and work to heal the negative effects on communities. We would like to see organizations focusing on tangible steps toward addressing this issue.

We are the International Human Rights Club at Jefferson High School. We are passionately committed to supporting survivors of domestic/sexual abuse, in addition to foster youth, in the 

. We have noticed a significant increase in crime rates and those affected may have trouble accessing essential resources and support, particularly individuals from communities of color. We’d like to focus on organizations that provide comprehensive medical and mental healthcare services to help these often-overlooked individuals rebuild their lives through compassionate care. We envision a better, brighter, safer society where we work together to create a positive change.

The CommuniCare students at La Salle Catholic College Preparatory will grant money to organizations providing youth program services to teens struggling with suicidal thoughts and mental health issues in the 

. We believe there needs to be more support for youth and more opportunities for them to feel supported. We will focus on organizations that help youth in our community with mental health problems and suicidal thoughts or actions by helping youth become more aware, as well as focusing on the education, prevention, and rehabilitation aspects of care. We would like to see suicide rates and mental health struggles decrease and see an increase in open discussion around this topic in an attempt to reduce the negative stigma related to talking about mental health.

Students at Lake Oswego High School partnering with The Schnitzer CARE Foundation will be granting money to organizations providing support and care for people and families experiencing food insecurity in the 

. We believe resources should be accessible for families and individuals in need of food and nutrition services. We will focus on organizations that offer meals, resources, and/or necessities for affected individuals in our community. We would like to see the amount of people affected by food insecurity decrease in the Portland Metro Area and believe we can support local organizations to help achieve this goal.

The CommuniCare Club at Lincoln High School will be granting money to organizations providing medical, menstrual, and childcare products to underserved communities in 

. We believe people deserve the support to have their basic health and hygiene needs met. Access to more hygiene products will help improve people’s quality of life and relieve some financial stress that comes with getting access to these products. We will focus on organizations that provide hygiene, menstrual, and childcare products, with specific focus on supporting single-parent families. We would like to see all types of families have easy access to necessary products to live a healthy life.

The students of Ms. Krishnan's 8th Period FLI Class at Lincoln High School have chosen to focus our Schnitzer Care efforts on nonprofit organizations that reduce food insecurity. We aim to support organizations that provide groceries, meals, community gardens, and other food resources to low-income families in the 

. We believe access to a healthy diet is a fundamental human right and is essential for children’s development. Recognizing the challenges posed by food deserts and food mirages, we prioritize organizations that advocate for equitable access to nutritious food, promoting opportunity and well-being for all.

We are Ruqayya Jarad’s 5th Period Freshman Leadership and Inquiry Class at Lincoln High School. Our mission is to support organizations that provide mental health services to individuals struggling with addiction in the 

. We believe no one should have to face addiction alone. Everyone deserves access to the support and resources needed to break the dangerous cycle of drug use. We recognize that untreated mental health issues are a leading cause of addiction, and addressing this is critical. Our priority is to fund organizations that offer rehabilitation and mental health services to those battling addiction within our community. By raising awareness about the importance of mental health, we aim to help lower addiction rates and reduce overall drug use in the Portland Metro Area.

The students in Mr. Hooper’s 8th Period FLI Class at Lincoln High School have chosen to focus our Schnitzer Cares efforts on nonprofit organizations that improve the houselessness/homelessness crisis in 

. Our grantmaking process will benefit organizations that provide food, clothing, and safe shelter for young families in the metro area. We believe that with fewer unhoused families on our streets, the circumstances for these vulnerable members of our urban community will improve. We will prioritize organizations that advocate for these marginalized families. We also want to support these populations with access to education, nutrition, and hygiene products.

Mr. Hervey’s 2nd Period FLI Class at Lincoln High School will be granting funds to organizations in the 

 that provide healthcare to people at risk of losing their housing, as well as education and outreach about health insurance and healthcare services. We believe it is important for people to have access to healthcare even if they cannot afford it. This is a big problem in the Portland area because there are many people facing high healthcare costs with low incomes, and many might lose their housing due to healthcare expenses. We would like to see a decrease in the amount of people becoming houseless because of the high cost of healthcare.

Mr. Hervey’s 6th Period FLI Class at Lincoln High School will be granting funds to organizations that provide food and nutrition access to students and families in the 

 who are experiencing food insecurity. We believe food is a human right and the people of Portland should not struggle with food accessibility. Food can help students focus better in school, and food also helps support people’s mental health. We will be focusing on organizations that offer services such as free food markets, food banks, and meal services and programs, and we will prioritize nonprofits working to reduce food waste. We hope to see food being more accessible to students and families in our community while putting forth our best effort to reduce food waste.

We are Profe Kreuzer’s 6th Period FLI Class of 2028 at Lincoln High School. Our goal this year is to fund nonprofit organizations that support young adults experiencing addiction and mental health struggles. We see young adults struggling from the time we get to school to when the school day ends because of our school's location in the strait of 

. We aim to support the low-income population in our community because we believe everyone deserves assistance, especially those who are struggling. We will provide support to organizations focused on meeting the needs of young adults experiencing addiction and mental health struggles. We want to see positive changes in our school and the surrounding areas through the funds we raise.

We are Profe Kreuzer’s 7th Period Leadership and Inquiry Class at Lincoln High School and we will be granting money to medical organizations helping young adults who are experiencing homelessness in 

. We believe we need to help people experiencing homelessness be able to live with access to healthcare, including mental healthcare, especially if they don’t have shelter. We will focus on organizations supporting young adults through any health issues that may affect them. We would like to see the homeless community become healthier and safer.

Ms. Wang’s 1st Period FLI Class at Lincoln High School will be granting money to organizations that provide affordable medical care to families in the 

. Medical care is sadly considered a privilege, but we believe it is a necessary right and should be accessible and affordable for everyone. We will focus on organizations that provide care for low-income families and people experiencing homelessness so no one has to make the decision between medical treatment and basic necessities like eating or paying rent. We would like to see a positive change in Portland where people get the care they deserve.

Ms. Wang’s 4th Period Leadership and Inquiry Class at Lincoln High School will be granting money to organizations that work on preventing teen suicide and supporting teen mental health through helplines and therapy animals in 

. We believe not everyone has a place to talk about their suicidal thoughts, which could cause them to harm themselves, lead to a loss of life, and bring the community down as people wonder what went wrong. We will focus on organizations that offer emotional support and guidance to teens, as well as those that support teens who haven’t come out about having suicidal thoughts. We would like to see a decrease in suicide rates and an increase in teens seeking therapy, which will build happier communities overall.

The students of Ms. Wang’s 5th Period Freshman Leadership and Inquiry Class of Lincoln High School will be granting money to organizations helping to provide jobs for people experiencing homelessness in 

. We believe everyone, regardless of background, should be given jobs to benefit society and themselves. We will focus on organizations that clear previous records such as drug and alcohol misuse, teach people work ethic, and provide shelter for them until they can afford housing. We would like to see people experiencing homelessness given a pathway to re-enter the workforce of society and given jobs to eradicate the devastating situation of the Portland downtown area.

We are Mr. Hunter's 7th Period Freshman Leadership and Inquiry Class at Lincoln High School. We will be granting money to organizations that provide housing assistance to families experiencing homelessness in the 

. We believe everyone deserves a place to call home. We will focus on organizations that help families find safe and secure housing.

The McDaniel High School Justice Lab Class is granting money to organizations that work within the 

. We work for the use of restorative justice methods in all environments and believe they are a necessary part of any healing process. Organizations that apply for our funding should uphold the same values. Organizations selected should serve to heal and give financial support to immigrant and refugee families, low-income single parents, and/or the transgender community. We also have a secondary focus on supporting anyone who has been harmed through domestic or sexual violence.

The students of McDaniel High School's Business Launch Class have decided to focus our fundraising and grantmaking on supporting youth and young adults in the 

, with an emphasis on public schools, struggling with mental health and addiction. We find this topic important because we have seen first-hand what poor mental health and drug usage can do to students, disrupting learning as well as creating life-long issues. We have seen few services being provided to students struggling in our community and we are looking to support nonprofits that offer rehab and therapy while fostering open communication regarding struggles with mental health and addiction. In doing this, we hope to help fight the stigma regarding these issues and provide our youth with the support they need.

The students of the McDaniel High School Business Management Class have chosen to concentrate our efforts on organizations that support impoverished members of the 

. We’ve seen how rapidly NE 82nd has declined and how it has impacted the health of our community. We are particularly interested in supporting organizations that focus on food insecurity, housing, and healthcare. We are excited to see the impact of “Building a Better 82nd”, and are hopeful that supporting these organizations will multiply the positive impact.

The 10th Grade College and Career Readiness Class at Metropolitan Learning Center will be granting money to organizations focused on improving mental healthcare for youth up to age 24 in the 

. We believe receiving care for mental health is important for everyone, and we can do better for young people who have had negative experiences. Many of us have had direct experiences in medical/mental health treatment, and we want there to be a more positive representation of the importance of finding and getting help when someone needs it. We will focus on organizations working to make mental healthcare more accessible and affordable. We are interested in hearing from organizations that offer inpatient care programs, animal therapy, and/or other programming that could make the experience of receiving care better. We would like to see people getting the help they deserve, reduced stigma about asking for help, and better environments for people receiving care. We aim to create a snowball effect that is only the beginning of more change to come.

This year the Nixyáawii Schnitzer Cares Chapter will work to combat the historical trauma and resulting mental health crisis that has contributed to alcohol and substance abuse for generations. This topic is important to us as student leaders because we see our community struggling with these health issues and we intend to break the cycle. Our efforts will focus on organizations working within 

We, the Schnitzer Cares students of Northwest Academy, have chosen to grant money to organizations in the 

 providing mental healthcare to survivors of abuse. We recognize that abuse disproportionately affects those most vulnerable in society, and will give special attention to organizations serving marginalized peoples and those experiencing houselessness or housing instability. We believe these individuals and communities deserve dignity, respect, and the social and emotional resources required to not only survive, but also thrive. We chose this area of focus because we witness the ramifications of an inequitable healthcare system daily in our downtown Portland community, and would like to see our neighbors facing mental health challenges enjoy a more stable and safe life.

We are the Civics Class at Open School East. We have chosen to support nonprofit organizations that provide healthcare or medical services to immigrants in 

. We feel immigrants are a valued part of our community and make America better. We specifically want to donate our funds to organizations that offer affordable healthcare, but we would like to prioritize organizations that also provide access to housing, food, and other necessary services. It is also important to us that the nonprofits that apply for our funding are dedicated to serving members of marginalized communities. We hope our grant funds will help immigrant families get back on their feet and ensure a better, healthier quality of life for immigrants because we believe they deserve the same respect as other Oregonians.

We are the Oregon Episcopal School Schnitzer Cares group and this year we will raise funds in order to grant money to organizations whose focus is providing healthcare to low-income women in the 

. We believe healthcare is a basic human right, but not all women have access to this right due to a lack of awareness and affordability of care. We will focus on organizations that not only make services more accessible and affordable, but also uplift women's voices and advocate for their needs. We would like to see an increase of equity in the system because healthcare is a matter of justice for all.

The CommuniCare Club at Pendleton High School will be granting money to organizations that focus on serving youth and families through drug rehabilitation, animal rescue and shelter, or shelter for people experiencing homelessness in 

. We believe our community and many others like it face problems like teen drug addiction, animals in dangerous environments, and/or need of shelter, all of which are ongoing problems in the Eastern Oregon community. We will focus on organizations that provide programs to help battle drug addiction, organizations that protect, rescue, and/or house pets, and organizations that provide shelter for homeless youth and families. We would like to see a reduction in addiction and overdose, especially in the teen demographic. We would also like to make a positive change in our community and help both humans and animals alike to have access to shelter.

The Schnitzer Cares group from the Roosevelt High School Advanced Theatre Class is focused on providing grants to nonprofit organizations in the 

 that use the arts to create safe spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals struggling with mental health in our community. We believe art programs are necessary to strengthen our neighborhoods and we hope to see more availability of spaces where people feel welcomed and a part of a community.

The Philanthropy Class at Roosevelt High School will be supporting nonprofits that are working toward preventing violence in low-income communities because we know that violence is happening more often in areas where poverty is also a problem. We will prioritize organizations that focus on violence prevention, but we also want to support organizations that help people affected by violence and poverty. We hope our funds will support organizations that are impactful and beneficial to 

 specifically, but we will also consider organizations working to reduce or prevent violence in 

. We hope our grantmaking work leads to a community that is kinder, safer, and more prosperous and where North Portlanders are not fearful or suffering.

The 1st Period Business Management Class at Roosevelt High School will be granting money to organizations that work with youth and families struggling with drug addiction in 

. This issue is important to us because we have seen young people harmed by addiction in our community and we think all young people are worth loving and supporting. We will focus on organizations that educate people about the harms of addiction, alleviate the suffering of people impacted, and provide safe spaces for people who have lost necessary resources due to addiction. We hope to see more people in recovery programs, less drug addiction and use in our community, more safe places for people impacted by addiction, and more education about the harms of addiction.

The 2nd Period Business Management Class at Roosevelt High School will be granting money to organizations providing services to survivors (or those at risk of) domestic violence in 

. We recognize the increasing amount of domestic violence and we don't want victims to feel alone. Our goal in this program is to support organizations that provide hotlines for domestic violence, try to prevent family separations, work to decrease the number of victims of abuse, and provide safe spaces for survivors, as well as ensuring safety and anonymity for both survivors and reporters. We hope that with this help, we will see a decrease in the number of victims in abusive or violent relationships and homes, an increase in people feeling safer reporting the abuse, and survivors thriving in a safe place away from the abuse.

Seaside High School Key Club will be granting money to organizations in 

 and the local community. We will be giving our money to nonprofits that support survivors of domestic abuse and nonprofits that provide mental health services. We believe these challenges are directly related and they are both extremely large problems that need to be addressed. From this money, we would like to see individuals who have directly been helped or impacted through the programs and services provided to them.

The St. Mary’s Academy Green Chapter of Schnitzer Cares will grant funds to organizations supporting immigrant and refugee families experiencing both visible and invisible houselessness in the 

. As students in downtown Portland, we see and acknowledge that houselessness profoundly affects people and the community. We recognize that experiencing houselessness actively decreases one’s access to medical assistance, job opportunities, and food security. Our chapter hopes to fund nonprofits that provide caseworkers for each family so the families they serve feel supported and safe as they transition into stable housing. Through supporting these organizations, we hope to not only provide immigrant and refugee families with connections that reaffirm their humanity and dignity, but also support them in securing affordable housing and transition support.

The St. Mary’s Academy Pink Chapter of Schnitzer Cares will be granting money to organizations serving women and children affected by domestic and sexual violence within the 

. At St. Mary’s Academy, we practice a dedication to women and children as part of our SNJM charism. We recognize that domestic and sexual violence is experienced regardless of age, race, class, and gender identity, but seek to support organizations that address the disproportionate occurrence of this violence towards women and children. We believe access to safe spaces and personal autonomy are universal rights and that sexual and domestic abuse deprives women and children of those rights. We will focus on organizations that provide safe spaces and address the medical, social, and emotional needs of survivors. Through uplifting these organizations that focus on responsive care, we hope to see more women and children reclaim their right to live safely and independently.

We are the 6th Period 10th grade AVID students at Tigard High School. As AVID 10 students, we are eager to learn, passionate, and open-minded. We are working with Schnitzer Cares to grant funding to organizations that provide housing and resources such as food, water, and addiction support, as well as education about healthy relationships, to survivors of sexual and domestic abuse within the 

Portland Metro Area, prioritizing Washington County

. These organizations should help survivors find peace and safety from their abuse and trauma. We are passionate about this because many times survivors of abuse are held financially and emotionally hostage by their abuser, which leads to them staying in the vicious cycle of abuse. Our goal is to support organizations that provide dignity and help so that survivors feel safe, secure, and empowered. We would like to see less abuse, fewer survivors struggling with addiction or housing access, more people getting back on their feet, and survivors getting the chance to heal, allowing them the same opportunities as everyone else, and making sure they receive peace and justice. We want survivors to feel safe and be given the opportunity at a better life with an equal chance to succeed as they continue to heal.

We are the 8th Period 10th grade AVID students at Tigard High School and we care for our community. We are working with Schnitzer Cares to grant money to nonprofits assisting immigrants with legal and medical services, as well as other necessities such as food access, in 

Washington County and the Portland Metro Area

. We believe in and are passionate about anti-racism and supporting immigrants because it is a large issue in our modern-day society and most of our classmates and friends come from immigrant families. We will work to help people who have immigrated here under challenging circumstances to get on their feet and be treated fairly with dignity and compassion, especially given the difficult problems of language barriers and culture shock for newcomers in America. We would like to see that with our grants, immigrants will have safe places to live, not have to worry about where their next meal will come from, and be able to care for themselves legally or medically. We would also like to see that their cultural values and religious practices are still valued. We strive to make our community the best place we possibly can, and these goals will help to achieve that.

Schnitzer Cares: For Non Profits

Schnitzer Cares: For Non Profits

How it works

Steps & Timelines

STEP 1

MISSION STATEMENTS

STEP 2

APPLICATIONS

STEP 3

INTERVIEWS

STEP 4

DECISIONS

STEP 5

CELEBRATIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average grant amount?

How does the matching work?

Are there any reporting requirements?

What is required of my organization if we receive a grant?

Who is eligible to apply for a Schnitzer Cares grant?

Can I apply if I have received a Schnitzer Cares grant in the past?

Can I apply to more than one mission statement?