CommuniCare encourages the leadership potential in every student by putting them in the driver’s seat as community grantmakers. Student ownership is a cornerstone of the program and The CARE Foundation. The participants decide what their group wants to prioritize and fund each year, how they want to raise their money, who to interview, and who should ultimately receive their grants. These tough decisions require teamwork, negotiation, compromise, and organization.

During the fall and winter months students are challenged to raise up to $1,500, which is matched 10:1 by the CARE Foundation. In the spring, students then act as community grantmakers by awarding local nonprofits the funds raised and matched for their programs.

At the 2018 CommuniCare Grant Making Award Ceremony, 12 Portland student groups presented over $160,000 to over 60 local nonprofit grantees on May 7th and May 14th. Three North Coast student groups presented over $38,000 to local nonprofit grantees on May 9th and two East Oregon student groups presented over $25,000 to local nonprofit grantees on May 22nd.

“Giving back to the community is a critical part of life. We care about each other in our community. When you reach out and help others it makes the community a bigger and stronger place,” said Jordan D. Schnitzer, Director of the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation.

Participating Schools:

Nonprofit Grantees: