About Us
Foundations for a Better Oregon was formed in 2003 by five of Oregon’s leading foundations: The Collins Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, JELD-WEN Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust and The Oregon Community Foundation. In January 2008, The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation joined the FBO consortium. FBO is governed by a board of directors, which includes the executive officer of each of the six member foundations, in addition to one representative of each foundation’s board of directors or trustees.
FBO was formed to better engage Oregon’s philanthropic community in discussions about – and ultimately, solutions to – the many challenges facing our state. Member foundations have different individual giving philosophies and priorities, and their participation in FBO allows them to combine some of their resources to effect change they cannot make on their own.
Since forming in 2003, FBO’s efforts have been devoted solely to improving Oregon’s K-12 public education system through an initiative it created called the Chalkboard Project. Chalkboard has promoted a comprehensive school improvement agenda based on “best practices” research and unprecedented efforts to engage Oregonians. In the future, FBO plans to become involved in other issues of importance to Oregon and Oregonians.