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Meyer accelerates racial, social and economic justice for the collective well-being of Oregon’s lands and peoples.
Past, Present and Future
One of the largest private funders in Oregon, Meyer Memorial Trust commits its position, resources and energies to accelerate racial, social and economic justice for the collective well-being of Oregon’s lands and peoples. With current assets of approximately $1 billion, Meyer Memorial Trust has awarded grants and program-related investments in excess of $930 million to more than 3,500 organizations since it was established in 1982 from the estate of Fred G. Meyer, founder of the Pacific Northwest retail chain that bears his name.
Fred G. Meyer was a man ahead of his time. The values that guided him — to innovate, take risks, embrace diversity, adapt to changing circumstances, develop the power of the mind and contribute to economic development and parity — continue to create and inform the culture of the foundation he established, influencing what we do and how we do it.
In 2015, Meyer’s grantmaking evolved to focus on four priority areas in service to a vision of a flourishing and equitable Oregon. We distributed our funding primarily through an Annual Funding Opportunity organized across a range of issues-based portfolios: Building Community, Equitable Education, Healthy Environment and Housing Opportunities.
In 2020, Meyer launched the single largest initiative in its history, Justice Oregon for Black Lives. This five-year, $25 million effort aims to deepen Meyer’s commitment to racial justice by making community-informed investments in the lives of Black Oregonians.
In 2021, Meyer announced that it would be working with communities to design a new funding process and structure, with the intention of incorporating more trust-based principles, policies and practices. Guided by a new mission that is explicit in its commitment to justice, Meyer also unveiled a new strategic framework and approach: to use an anti-racist feminist lens to strengthen movements, change systems and support communities to build an Oregon that works for all.
Review a timeline of Meyer Memorial Trust
Our Mission, Vision, Values
Meyer accelerates racial, social and economic justice for the collective well-being of Oregon’s lands and peoples.
Our Commitment to Equity & Inclusion
Our goal is to make equity as much a part of our everyday operations as it is a part of Meyer Memorial Trust’s mission.
Our Trustees
Meyer’s board of trustees is made up of six committed, effective and generous community leaders who are responsible for safeguarding our mission, policies, assets and grantmaking.
Our Team
Meet Meyer's dedicated staff, who administer our programs, run our operations, communicate our stories and invest our assets.