For Immediate Release: Oregon Community Foundation awards the Oregon East Symphony a $20K grant for recession response.

The Oregon East Symphony (OES) is the happy recipient of a $20,000 grant from the Irene Gerlinger Swindells Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation.  The check was presented on Monday May 23^rd by OCF volunteer Lisa Roberts of Pendleton, to members of the OES board and newly hired OES Music Director Dr. Anthony Spain at the OES Offices.

 Funds from the Recession Response grant will be used for maintaining orchestra operations while the board and staff undergo a long range strategic planning process this summer and fall.

“Thanks to the OCF we now have funds to train our board members to be more effective at developing community relationships, recruiting and managing volunteers and working productively as a group. I hope this will lead to a strong and vibrant organization that will forge a musical path through the next 25 years of nurturing our community” said Janet Miller, OES Grant Chair.

 The mission of the OES is to operate, support and maintain a symphony orchestra and chorus in Eastern Oregon, and thereby to enhance the quality of life in the region by providing to the population of this rural area a dependable source of live orchestral and choral music, with special emphasis on youth education opportunities."

 The mission of The Oregon Community Foundation is to improve life in Oregon and promote effective philanthropy.  OCF works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about.  Through these funds OCF awards more than $60 million annually in grants and scholarships. 

 The Foundation makes grants through an application process that involves local citizens in the review and evaluation of requests for funds.  Application materials are available through the foundation's Portland office.  Individuals or businesses interested in establishing a fund may contact the Portland office at 1221 SW Yamhill, Suite 100, Portland OR 97205, (503) 227-6846 or visit:   www.oregoncf.org

 For more information about the Oregon East Symphony, Summer Music Camp, Playing for Keeps, our youth education project, concerts, or general information, call the OES office at (541) 276-0320 or visit our web site at:  www.oregoneastsymphony.org.