{"id":392,"date":"2015-02-20T01:46:31","date_gmt":"2015-02-20T09:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ocfveneta.wpengine.com\/?page_id=392"},"modified":"2026-04-27T11:14:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T18:14:45","slug":"philanthropy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.oregoncountryfair.org\/about-ocf\/philanthropy\/","title":{"rendered":"Philanthropy"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Philanthropy: The Roots of the Oregon Country Fair<\/h3>
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In November of 1969, in an orchard outside of Eugene, a benefit was held for the Children\u2019s Community School. This event, called the Renaissance Fair, grew into the Oregon Country Fair. In the decades since, the Fair has been true to its roots in philanthropy and community support.<\/p>

With the generous support of Oregon Country Fair volunteers and Fairgoers, the Fair continues to carry out our original philanthropic intention: building community and helping others. More than fifty years later, the Fair has put into motion three grant-giving programs and produces non-profit events like Culture Jam, an eight-day teen arts camp that serves more than 50 youths each summer. We are proud to say that the Fair has donated over $1.5 million back into the larger community.<\/p>

The Fair has long held a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status reflecting and mandating our non-profit purpose. Philanthropy is fundamental to the Fair\u2019s ability to host the event and grow, while reinforcing the Fair\u2019s vision for the world and educating the larger community about that vision. It helps the Fair extend its sense of community and create harmonious relationships with its neighbors and beyond. Philanthropy provides the means to develop programs beyond the Fair event that are consistent with the organization\u2019s non-profit purposes and deeply held values.<\/p>

OCF Funding Programs<\/h3>
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In the early years, Fair philanthropy was direct and fitting for the scale of giving. Fair family submitted suggestions of organizations to support and the Fair\u2019s profits were distributed among the selected recipients. The Fair was a faithful supporter of like-minded cooperative, community-based organizations. That spirit has continued throughout the years \u2013 and matured as the Fair has matured.<\/p>

With finite dollars available to meet many funding requests, the Fair family, led by its Board of Directors, created three vehicles to deliver philanthropic support. Each program has its own democratic decision-making processes and purposes reflecting the Fair\u2019s mission:<\/p>