Partners

The RARE AmeriCorps Program consortium consist of an array of programmatic statewide partners: Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Main Street Program, Travel Oregon, Energy Trust of Oregon, and The Ford Family Foundation. Consortium members provide topically focused expertise to RARE Members and community partners via training, support, monthly calls, and direct consultation. Additionally, consortium members provide funding to support community-based projects, initiatives and training opportunities.

The RARE AmeriCorps Program includes consortium members in its annual recruitment and placement processes. Consortium members help identify appropriate community partners, providing valuable insight to RARE staff during the community and member application review process. The RARE AmeriCorps Program leans on consortium member experience and expertise for guidance and direction regarding the viability of each community and member applicant, helping ensure successful placements.

Utilizing capacity, guidance, expertise and resources provided by consortium members, the RARE AmeriCorps Program is better positioned to achieve outputs and outcomes identified within their theory of change and logic models. The RARE AmeriCorps Program works closely with consortium members to better serve all RARE Members and community partners. Through its work with consortium members, RARE is uniquely positioned to act as both a capacity building program, and a conduit to an array of statewide entities who seek to serve Oregon.

Following is a summary of each organization and their role in the consortium:

Oregon Food Bank (OFB) has the following mission: “To eliminate hunger and its root cause… because no one should be hungry.” Oregon Food Bank collects food from farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals and government sources. OFB distributes food through a Statewide Network of 21 Regional Food Banks and approximately 1,200 food assistance sites serving all of Oregon and Clark County, Washington. OFB funds between 2-5 RARE placements on an annual basis. Additionally, OFB staff provide topically focused expertise to RARE AC members and community partners via topically focused training, support, monthly calls, and direct consultation.

The Oregon Main Street Program provides assistance, training, and technical services to communities who want to strengthen, preserve, and revitalize their historic downtown commercial districts. The goal of the proven Main Street Approach is to build high quality, livable, and sustainable communities that will grow Oregon’s economy while maintaining a sense of place. The OMS Program is part of Heritage Programs in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. OMS staff provide topically focused expertise to RARE members and community partners via training, support, monthly calls, and direct consultation. Additionally, OMS provides access to additional grant funds for community partners to access for an array of downtown development projects.

The mission of the Oregon Tourism Commission (Travel Oregon) is to encourage economic growth and to enhance the quality of life in Oregon through a strengthened economic impact of tourism throughout the state. Travel Oregon (TO) partially (~50%) funds two to five RARE placements on an annual basis. TO staff provide topically focused expertise to RARE members and community partners via training, support, monthly calls, and direct consultation. Additionally, TO provides access to additional grant funds for community partners to access for an array of destination development projects.

Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) is committed to providing comprehensive, sustainable energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. Customers’ energy-saving and renewable power projects put money back into households’ pockets and grow Oregon’s clean energy economy. ETO partially (~20%) funds two to five RARE placements on an annual basis. ETO staff provide topically focused expertise to RARE members and community partners via training, support, monthly calls, and direct consultation. Additionally, ETO provides access to additional grant funds for community partners to access for an array of renewable energy related projects.

The Ford Family Foundation’s (TFFF) mission statement is “successful citizens and vital rural communities.” TFFF serves the people and the communities of Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. TFFF partially funds up to 10 RARE placements on an annual basis. TFFF staff also provide access to their training facilties in Roseburg, Oregon, and offers at least one training on community building methods to all RARE Members.

In summary, the RARE consortium enhances our capacity through partnerships. Consortium members provide topically focused expertise, have broad networks that expand our reach, and are attuned to the needs of rural communities.

RARE Blogs

Each year, a number of members create blogs to tell the stories of their individual experiences.  Below is the link to our Stories from the Field blog series!

Institute for Policy Research and Engagement – Stories from the Field