Grants

FY2027 Cultural Development Program Awards (PDF)

We are proud to announce that as of September 2026 the PKSCA was awarded a $22,050 Cultural Development grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust. With this grant we are continuing our 10 year plan to replace our fleet of traditional-style dragon boats with the 3rd generation boats, made in Taiwan. This grant will help us buy 2 new boats and help to sustain the future of our organization bringing us halfway to our goal!

The Oregon Cultural Trust – the state’s unique funding engine for arts, culture, heritage and humanities – will provide a record $4.5 million to more than 450 organizations across the state this fiscal year thanks to donations received by Oregonians.

A visionary idea founded by the Oregon Legislature 25 years ago, the Cultural Tax Credit allows Oregonians who donate to a qualifying cultural nonprofit to also claim a 100-percent matching tax credit by giving an equal amount to the Cultural Trust. This redirection by Oregonians for Oregonians provides stable, ongoing funding to strengthen culture in Oregon.

The $4.5 million in grants distributed this fiscal year (FY27) is possible thanks to the generosity of more than 10,000 Oregonians who gave to the Oregon Cultural Trust last year (FY26).

Distribution of funds received is defined in Oregon statute, ORS 359. Through this unique model, the only one of its kind in the United States, Oregon’s five state cultural partners, 45 regional County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions and more than 450 cultural nonprofits receive grant support each year.

“Oregon’s big idea of funding arts, heritage and humanities, established a generation ago, continues to sustain the core components of community vitality and resilience – and yet as we have received an increase in donations, so have the requests for support increased,” said Amy Lewin, Oregon’s director of arts and culture. “This unique funding model is becoming a critical resource for supporting learning, historic preservation and valued engagement for communities large and small and in every corner of the state.”.

For more than two decades, the Oregon Cultural Trust has played a vital role in enriching our state’s cultural resources, supporting more than 1,600 nonprofits across Oregon. How? It’s simple. The Cultural Trust empowers Oregonians to leverage their support for arts, heritage and humanities nonprofits with the Cultural Tax Credit. When you match your cultural donation with a gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust, you direct a portion of your state taxes to fund more than 1,600 cultural organizations.

To support the sustainability of the PKSCA’s 37-year-old Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race by replacing two dragon boats of its fleet of 14-year-old traditional-style dragon boats with the third generation of these handmade crafts. We are one of a few dragon boat races that use these ornate traditional-style dragon boats. Dragon boat races are a 2,000-year-old tradition and a cornerstone of the relationship between Portland and Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Only three manufacturers exist: Kaohsiung, Hong-Kong and China. These boats are crafted by master builders, who pass on their knowledge via apprenticeship, mixing ancient methods with modern techniques.

Donors who contribute to Oregon cultural nonprofits, including ours, are eligible to make a matching donation to the Oregon Cultural Trust and receive a 100% tax credit for their Trust donation (up to $500 for an individual, $1,000 for a couple filing jointly and $2,500 for a Class-C Corporation).

Join the movement and help us Make Culture Count! By using the Cultural Tax Credit, Oregonians and the Cultural Trust have awarded close to $40 million, and counting, to the cultural nonprofits that define our quality of life. Join us by taking your support of Oregon’s arts, heritage and humanities to the next level. Make culture count.

FY2026 Cultural Development Program Awards (PDF)

For more than two decades, the Oregon Cultural Trust has played a vital role in enriching our state’s cultural resources, supporting more than 1,600 nonprofits across Oregon. How? It’s simple. The Cultural Trust empowers Oregonians to leverage their support for arts, heritage and humanities nonprofits with the Cultural Tax Credit. When you match your cultural donation with a gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust, you direct a portion of your state taxes to fund more than 1,600 cultural organizations.

Donors who contribute to Oregon cultural nonprofits, including ours, are eligible to make a matching donation to the Oregon Cultural Trust and receive a 100% tax credit for their Trust donation (up to $500 for an individual, $1,000 for a couple filing jointly and $2,500 for a Class-C Corporation).

Join the movement and help us Make Culture Count! By using the Cultural Tax Credit, Oregonians and the Cultural Trust have awarded close to $40 million, and counting, to the cultural nonprofits that define our quality of life. Join us by taking your support of Oregon’s arts, heritage and humanities to the next level. Make culture count.

We are proud to announce that as of September 2025 the PKSCA was awarded a $22,950 Cultural Development grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust. With this grant we are kicking off our 10 year plan to replace our fleet of traditional-style dragon boats with the 3rd generation boats, made in Taiwan. This grant will help us buy 2 new boats and help to sustain the future of our organization!

Cultural Development Program grant awards provide the recognition and support to significant
cultural projects and programs, preserving and enhancing Oregon’s diverse arts, heritage and
humanities community. Awards support cultural activities occurring between Sept. 1, 2025 and
Aug. 31, 2026.