Oregon Post-Secondary Education Effort Gets $35 Thousand Boost

PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwire - Oct 20, 2011) - The Oregon Idea, a business advocacy group united around Oregon's post-secondary education system, announced today a combined $35 thousand in grants from Meyer Memorial Trust (MMT) and The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF).

Jim Francesconi, Chair of The Oregon Idea said the funds will be used to strengthen the group's advocacy efforts: "Last session we saw a fundamental shift in the discussions around post-secondary education in Salem as a direct result of our outreach. These funds will prove critical to engaging Oregonians in our efforts to demonstrate the link between strong post-secondary education system and a robust economy."

"As we support organizations and communities across Oregon, the more evidence we see of the crucial importance of a well-educated workforce," said Meyer Memorial Trust CEO Doug Stamm. "We're pleased to join Oregonians who are working to strengthen post-secondary education in our state through The Oregon Idea."

MMT approved a $20,000 grant for The Oregon Idea.

OCF President Greg Chaillé added, "The Oregon Community Foundation's mission is to improve life in Oregon and promote effective philanthropy. We work to support causes Oregonians care about -- like the importance of post-secondary education to our region's economy."

This $15,000 award follows a $10,000 grant from The Oregon Community Foundation in 2009 -- funds that helped to launch The Oregon Idea.

In part because of The Oregon Idea's advocacy during the 2011 legislative session:

• Community colleges received a budget of $395 million plus a one-time allocation of $15 million.
• The state restored $4.4 million in funding OHSU's school of nursing and child development and rehabilitation centers.
• The legislature preserved $12 million in funding for Oregon University System's (OUS) statewide services including the Agricultural Experiment Station, Extension Service, and the Forest Research Laboratory.
• The legislature passed Senate Bill 242, legislation that restructures OUS and shifts it from a state agency to a public university system.

During the 2011 legislative session the group mobilized over 3,000 Oregonians who joined the effort by engaging on Facebook, sending letters to legislators, and testifying in Salem in support of post-secondary education.

The Oregon Idea is also supported by a number of private sector partners including: Nike, Intel, PGE, ODS, Miller Lumber, and Northwest Natural.

For the first time in the state's history, businesses, Community Colleges, OHSU, and all seven of Oregon's public universities united around a legislative effort.

In 2012 The Oregon Idea will focus its efforts on preserving funding for Oregon's universities, community colleges and OHSU and educating Oregonians about new statewide goals: to ensure that 100% of Oregon students graduate from high school and at least 80% go on to earn a post-secondary education.

THE OREGON IDEA is a coalition of small business owners, CEOs, community leaders, and alumni of Oregon's Community Colleges and Universities who share a common vision for Oregon's post-secondary education system. The Oregon Idea is this: Investing in post-secondary education today will lead to economic prosperity tomorrow. www.TheOregonIdea.org