Cressey Family Charitable Trust
/OVERVIEW: The Cressey Family Charitable Trust supports education and literacy in Oregon.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, literacy
IP TAKE: This accessible Oregon funder has very specific grantmaking interests and a small geographic area it focuses on, therefore, the same well-established organizations tend to receive steady grants from CFCT.
PROFILE: Established in 2006, the Cressey Family Charitable Trust (CFCT) is a private foundation created by John P. Cressey. Mr. Cressey was an Eugene, Oregon resident who did not have a wife or children and died in 2006. He created this foundation to honor his parents, who owned a bookstore. Therefore, the foundation’s focus follows Cressey’s love for reading and dedication to the issues of education and literacy. CFCT is managed by Wells Fargo Bank, which offers philanthropic services for private foundations and serves as the foundation’s trustee. CFCT has a four-member committee that reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to the trustee. The foundation aims to "support the City of Eugene Public Library and nonprofit organizations in the Eugene/Springfield area of Oregon that emphasize education generally and literacy and reading programs specifically.”
The Cressey Family Charitable Trust is primarily a funder of youth literacy programs, but also funds general education causes on an occasional basis. Most funding is for general operating support rather than for specific programs or capital support. Library foundations, education foundations and children’s foundations often receive CFCT’s support. This is also a significant funder of local public libraries, early childhood education, child abuse and neglect prevention and educational support for children with disabilities.
Grants range between about $2,500 and $10,000. CFCT typically makes around 10 grants per year totaling $50,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Oregon and especially the Eugene/Springfield area of the state. Past local grantees include the Relief Nursery, Springfield Public Library and Eugene Education Foundation.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The annual application deadline is July 31; however, CFCT accepts applications all throughout the year. Grantseekers should use the Wells Fargo online application system to apply for funding. The system provides an automated email to confirm applicants’ submissions. Direct general questions to the staff at grantadministration@wellsfargo.com or 888-235-4351.
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