Oregonians donated a record $3.5 million to the Oregon Cultural Trust in 2007, a $700,000, or 20%, increase from $2.8 million contributed in calendar year 2006.
In a press release from the Oregon Cultural Trust, Governor Ted Kulongoski said, "In 2007, for the first time in years, the state made a major reinvestment in art and culture. Today, I congratulate the people of Oregon for stepping up and demonstrating their own commitment to culture in all its forms - and in all regions of the state - by making record contributions to the Oregon Cultural Trust."
The number of gifts to the Trust also increased in 2007 to 6,566, up by 21%, from 5,448 in 2006.
History of Trust fundraising:
2002 $1.5 million
2003 $1.6 million
2004 $2 million
2005 $2.3 million
2006 $2.8 million
2007 $3.5 million
Fifty-eight percent of the money raised by the Trust each year remains in a permanent endowment for heritage, humanities and arts. Up to 42% of the remainder is distributed through grants benefiting Oregon cultural nonprofits; 45 county and tribal cultural coalitions; and Oregon's five statewide cultural partners, Oregon Council for the Humanities, Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Arts Commission and State Historic Preservation Office. Through these grant programs, Trust funding benefits every county in Oregon.