June 1999
The Gordon Elwood Foundation is created

The Gordon Elwood Foundation is committed to fulfilling Gordon’s legacy by offering a hand up to those in need.
June 1999

The Gordon Elwood Foundation is committed to fulfilling Gordon’s legacy by offering a hand up to those in need.
June 1999

John Harmon, John Duke, Daniel Kosmatka, Jan Murphy, Stephanie Johnson, Burke Raymond, and Mike Heverly meet with Gordon and talk about his legacy.
June 1999

Articles of Incorporation filed to serve Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Curry Counties.
December 1999
Assets listed as $1,030,000 in application for 501(c)(3) status.
December 1999
Gordon Elwood, a lifelong native of the Rogue Valley, lived a remarkably Spartan existence.
December 1999
Board member John Duke is appointed as the President.
December 1999
The Board makes the decision to solicit grant applications from the Red Cross, Salvation Army, YMCA, & Humane Society.
March 2000
The Gordon Elwood Foundation is announced to the public through press releases.
March 2000
Jim Maddux is appointed to the Grants Committee.
March 2000
The Board of Trustees extends a request for proposal to Red Cross, Salvation Army, YMCA and Humane Society in four counties.
June 2000
The retreat is held at the Rogue Valley Country Club in Medford.
June 2000
The Board decides to hire a part-time Office Manager to set up the Foundation office.
June 2000
Foundation assets value: $7,813,640
June 2000


$60,000 is awarded to organizations in Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine counties.
October 2000

Kathy Bryon is hired as the part time Office Manager. Kathy assists the creation and development of the Grants Committee process.
December 2000

Foundation president, John Duke, provides initial office space at 670 Superior Ct. Medford.
December 2000

The Board decides to hold two application cycles per year and to provide scholarship assistance through existing regional educational institutions.
December 2000

John Duke, President. Mike Heverly, Vice President. Jan Murphy, Treasurer. John Harmon, Secetary.
March 2001

The Gordon Elwood Foundation logo is created by local artist and designer, Gary Sanpei.
March 2001

Kathy Bryon assists the Board to review their bylaws and potential policies: Board of Trustees have three year terms, no term limits.
March 2001

The Board sets the average grant amount at $5,000 to $10,000.
March 2001

The Board supports the concept of getting people into employment by supporting employment programs and scholarships for certificate education.
June 2001
The Board of Trustees proactively co-creates a pilot project with Rogue Community College Foundation – $15,000 in scholarship funds are awarded to income qualifying workforce certificate students.
June 2001
The Board makes the descision to limit animal support to spay/neuter programs and limit Jackson County to one collaborative application for spay/neuter per grant cycle.
June 2001

Kathy convenes a meeting with regional animal shelter and spay/neuter services providers to collaborate spay/neuter requests.
June 2001

Foundation Assets value: $7,660,409. Grants awarded: $75,822. Community Building: $1,583.
September 2001

The first Foundation Trustees Annual Meeting is held in Jackson County. Officers: Mike Heverly, President. John Duke, Vice President. Burke Raymond, Treasurer. Jan Murphy, Secretary.
September 2001
Decision & Adoption of Finacial Investment Policy.
December 2001

Foundation is the initial private foundation investor in the SOU Pilot, Academia Latina targeting middle and high school Latino youth. Twenty-six Latino youth participate and stay on campus for a one week summer intensive.
December 2001
Half-time Office Manager role transitions to 0.75 FTE Executive Director role.
December 2001

Kathy is nominated to the American Leadership Forum representing Southern Oregon.
March 2002
The Elwood and Stern Family Foundations convene first regional funders gathering to initiate a learning community framework for grantmakers serving 7 counties in southern Oregon.
March 2002

The Board commits to a two-year process to create and adopt foundation values, a mission statement, goals, and funding strategies to guide a 30-year vision.
March 2002
The Juan Young Trust, based in Portland, asks the Foundation to connect them with potential grant recipients that match their funding interests.
March 2002
The Foundation partners with the Chamber of Commerce of Klamath Falls on Economic Development for funders-grantee session.
March 2002
The Foundation partners with others to create the annual Foundation Directors’ Day Conference.
March 2002

The Foundation partners with Philanthropy Northwest as a committee member of the Annual Regional Conference.
March 2002

The Board asks the Executive Director to facilitate the visioning & planning process and to hire additional office support hired as needed.
June 2002

The Board of Trustees initiates the Values Development Process after visiting with Jeld Wen leadership and numerous other organizations in Klamath County.
June 2002

Foundation Assets value: $7,671,473. Grants awarded: $252,756. Community Building: $18,746.
September 2002

The Board of Trustees hold their Annual Meeting in Jackson County. Officers: Mike Heverly, President. John Duke, Vice President. Burke Raymond, Treasurer. Jan Murphy, Secretary.
March 2003

“The Gordon Elwood Foundation invests in southern Oregon’s youth, adults, families, and communities.”
March 2003

The Board expands interest in community building as a leveraging tool.
March 2003
The Gordon Elwood foundation partners with Jackson County United Way to organize and fundraise for the “Building a Learning Community” training through supporting a multi-sector steering committee.
March 2003

The Board identifies the top areas of community concern: poverty, student drop-out rate, prenatal care, child abuse, and limited financial resources in all four counties.
March 2003
Educating citizenry, investing in employable public, investing in healthier children, investing in healthier families, investing in successful adults, and investing in training and higher education.
March 2003

The Board gives grant support for the following proposals: crisis intervention, prevention, rehabilitation, maintenance, incentives.
June 2003
The Executive Director co-facilitates Health Care Coalition of Southern Oregon’s strategic vision process.
June 2003
The Executive Director convenes a Think Tank of health care change facilitators fondly called the ‘Apple Cellar Gang’. Invites executive from Healthcare Coalition of Southern Oregon.
June 2003
Kathy Bryon co-facilitates a mapping process for health care gaps and possibilities with other organizational leaders with Health Care Coalition of Southern Oregon.
June 2003
The Board adopts the Foundation’s Mission statement.
June 2003

The Board discusses inherent conflicts that arise when deciding how to allocate funds between funding basic human needs and/or projects that invest in individual or community potential or change.
June 2003

The Board of Trustees approve Community Investment funding for netCorp, Jackson County Building a Learning Community project and Johnson O’Connor Testing.
June 2003

Foundation Assets value: $7,428,544. Grants awarded: $308,645. Community Building Investments: $32,461.
September 2003

The Board of Trustees hold their Annual Meeting in Curry County. Officers: Burke Raymond, President. Jan Murphy, Vice President. Dan Kosmatka, Treasurer. Mike Heverly, Secretary.
September 2003

The Board decides to merge the Finance Committee’s duties into the Executive Committee.
December 2003
Kathy is elected to serve on the Grant makers of Oregon and Southwest Washington Board.
March 2004
Beth Jandernoa, Richard Karash and Peter Senge, founding Chair of the Society for Organizational Learning at MIT, facilitate the “Building a Learning Community” core course training that is held for over 140 selected leaders in Jackson County.
March 2004

The Gordon Elwood Foundation serves as a plenary panelist for the Foundation Directors’ Day. The nonprofit conference is attended by over 150 grant seekers.
March 2004
Executive Director is appointed to FEMA’s review board for Jackson County.
March 2004
The Board of Trustees grants awards toward the first collaborative spay/neuter project for Jackson County.
March 2004
The Foundation completes the pilot for Johnson O’Connor testing for young adults from Ontrack, Crossroads, and Rogue Community College.
March 2004
The “Apple Cellar Gang” Think Tank partners launch a morning Health Summit with over 40 local leaders in health care or providing healthcare to large employee groups. Peter Senge facilitated along with Linda Schaff, Beth Jandernoa, Barbara Cecil and Kathy Bryon.
March 2004

The Gordon Elwood Foundation collaborates with the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation to provide site visit support in Jackson and Josephine counties on programs with shared requests for funding.
March 2004
The Gordon Elwood Foundation sponsors the Jackson County United Way Salon Series to increase leadership capacity of nonprofit executive directors.
June 2004

The Executive Director becomes a Fellow of the American Leadership Forum of Oregon.
June 2004
The Gordon Elwood Foundation convenes and facilitates a half-day meeting with Curry County leaders and senior staff of The Ford Family Foundation surfacing community issues, assets, and priorities for Curry County.
June 2004

Foundation assets value: $8,457,859. Grants awarded: $221,546. Community Building Investments: $45,756.
September 2004

The Board holds their Annual Meeting in Josephine County. Officers: Burke Raymond, President. Jan Murphy, Vice President. Dan Kosmatka, Treasurer. Mike Heverly, Secretary.
September 2004
John Duke resigns as a Board member.
December 2004
The Gordon Elwood Foundation works with the Medford Schools Foundation Board to assist in their organizational renewal and board development process.
December 2004
Elwood Foundation co-creates the first Grant Makers of Oregon Conference held in southern Oregon. (Ashland)
December 2004

Executive Director position becomes full time to support growing Community Building activities and strategies.
December 2004
The Board approves hire of a half-time Office Manager to support the grants process and Executive Director.
March 2005
The first version of the Foundation’s website goes live.
March 2005

The Foundation leases office space suites 108 & 208 from new owners and extends in-kind leases to SMART reading program..
March 2005
The Board supports the founding of Jefferson Regional Health Alliance, providing office support, and staff coaching.
March 2005
Relationships with the Juan Young Trust and PGE Foundations bring approximately $50,000 in new funds to the region.
March 2005
The Board partners with the United Way of Jackson County, Jackson County Public Health Department and many community partners to launch the first Meth Summit.
March 2005
Executive Director, Kathy Bryon, receives the United Way of Jackson County: Community Builder Award.
March 2005

Executive Director Kathy Bryon is elected to the SOU President’s Advisory Committee.
March 2005
Executive Director, Kathy Bryon, facilitates the Southern Oregon Adolescent Study and Treatment Center board retreat and training process.
March 2005
The Board members create a Trustee Succession Process.
March 2005
A part-time Office Manager is hired.
June 2005
Executive Director, Kathy Bryon, meets with the Rogue Community College Club Latino members and assists Club Latino to hold a Community & Education Vision Process for Latino Students with 75 representatives of educational sector.
June 2005

Foundation Asset value: $8,509,471. Grants awarded: $303,681. Community Building Investment: $51,638.
September 2005
The Executive Director facilitates “fishbowl dialogue” among homeless participants as part of the community process.
September 2005
RCC, SOU, ESD, 549c, and Providence Medical Center collaborate on a Student Tutorial strategy. The Board allocates them a multi-year national grant.
September 2005

The Board of Trustees hold their retreat in Josephine County-Illinois Valley and meet with local leaders.
September 2005

The Foundation publishes and distributes the 5-year report.
September 2005
The Grants Committee recruitment process is approved.
September 2005
The Board creates the Elwood Award of Excellence concept.
December 2005

The Board holds their Annual Meeting Jackson County at Suncrest Retreat Center. Officers: Jan Murphy, President. John Harmon, Vice President. Dan Kosmatka, Treasurer. Mike Heverly, Secretary.
December 2005
SOU Academia Latina expands to serve 60 youth with additional new funding sources.
March 2006
First new Grants Committee members added per succession process plan.
March 2006

The Foundation’s 5-year report receives the 2006 Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communication from the Council on Foundations.
March 2006
Executive Director, Kathy Bryon, serves as founding chair for the SOU Non-Profit Community Council.
March 2006
The Gordon Elwood Foundation convenes and facilitates the Hispanic Academic Outreach Leadership Council.
March 2006

The Foundation partners with United Way, Jackson County Health Department & Meth Task Force Task Force for Meth Summit II.
June 2006

Foundation Assets value: $9,040,944. Grants awarded: $244,543. Community Building Investment: $96,788.
June 2006

990 PF records Foundation’s intentional in-kind and community building investment support.
September 2006
The Foundation partners with JRHA and the Job Council to carry out workforce application.
September 2006
The Foundation is asked to be a regional applicant for RWJ Nursing Workforce Project and partners with Jefferson Regional Health Alliance.
December 2006

The Board holds their Board of Trustees Annual Meeting at Voorhies Mansion in Medford. Officers: Jan Murphy, President. John Harmon, Vice President. Dan Kosmatka, Treasurer. Mike Heverly, Secretary.
December 2006
The Foundation purchases 670 Superior Ct Condo Suite 108 & 208 to be shared by emerging non-profits or volunteer heavy programs.
December 2006
The Board approves a Succession Policy for the Executive Director position.
December 2006

The Board creates framework for board, organization, and program evaluation.
March 2007

The 5th Annual SOGMAG Retreat is held.
March 2007

The Foundation executive director provides executive staffing for JRHA as JRHA Secretary.
March 2007

Executive Director, Kathy Bryon is elected Secretary for the Condo Association to carry out the unaddressed issues with the Chair and Treasurer.
March 2007
The Foundation convenes the nursing workforce steering committee.
June 2007

The Foundation nominates College Dreams for the first Elwood Award of Excellence and check for $25,000..
June 2007

Foundation Assets value: $10,039,966. Grants awarded: $318,930. Community Building Investment: $136,086.
December 2007

SO Grantmakers Affinity Group & Grantmakers of Oregon host Creativity & Leadership Conference in Ashland.
December 2007
The Foundation holds a celebration of College Dream’s Award of Excellence and presents $25,000 check to College Dreams
December 2007
RWJF asks for a full proposal to develop the regional nursing workforce.
December 2007

The Board holds their Annual Meeting in Josephine County. Officers: John Harmon, President. Mike Heverly, Vice President. Dan Kosmatka,Treasurer. Stephanie Johnson, Secretary.
December 2007

The Foundation’s portfolio assets plummet with the market.
March 2008
Kathy Bryon, Executive Director, takes a three month sabbatical.
March 2008
The Foundation sponsors Nursing World Cafes and helps develop nursing workforce shortage strategies.
June 2008

Foundation Assets Value: $8,775,055. Grants Awarded: $320,082. Community Building: $124,343.
September 2008

Annette Batzer is elected to the Board of Trustees.
September 2008
Rick Schaefer & Charlie Kocher appointed to Grants Committee.
September 2008
A new Office Manager is hired.
September 2008

The Foundation’s portfolio plungesdue to the stock market crash.
September 2008

The Board holds their Annual Meeting at the Crater Lake Lodge. Officers: John Harmon, President. Mike Heverly, Vice President. Dan Kosmatka, Treasurer. Stephanie Johnson, Secretary.
December 2008

Executive Director, Kathy Bryon, is elected to the Philanthropy Northwest board, an association of Northwest funders.
December 2008




Kids Unlimited Financial Management Capacity Project is awarded $75,000.
December 2008

The Board sponsors a Holiday Partnership with the Wild Rivers Community Foundation.
December 2008
The new website launched with the addition of stories from GEF grantees.
December 2008




The Board supports Kids Unlimited by increasing internal financial management capacity in service to low income youth and families of West Medford through a $25,000 grant.
March 2009

SOGMAG changes to “Jefferson e Funders Forum”. The Ad Hoc Committee is created to investigate food security and what more could be done than food boxes.
June 2009

The first Philanthropy Northwest Board meeting is hosted in Ashland by the Gordon Elwood Foundation and the Ford Family Foundation.
June 2009

Foundation Assets value: $6,442,203. Grants Awarded: $242,100. Community Building: $144,800.
June 2009
Due to the economic position of the market, the Gordon Elwood Foundation makes the decision to decline the RWJF invitation for a nursery grant.
September 2009

Investment and portfolio management transitions to D.A. Davidson from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.
December 2009

Grant application adjusts to request more information on application about request’s connection to the Foundation’s Vision.
December 2009
Kathy Bryon is appointed to the Jackson County Public Health Advisory Board to further the strategy to leverage resources from outside the area to our region.
December 2009
The Foundation is a co-convener with OCF & partners with the Latino Education Action Planning Summit. The Foundation provides infrastructure support and staffing.
December 2009

The Board’s Annual Meeting is held in Jackson County. Officers: Mike Heverly, President. Burke Raymond, Vice President. John Duke, Treasurer. Annette Batzer, Secretary.
March 2010
John Harmon creates portfolio dashboard to monitor actual performance against investment policy goals.
March 2010
Applicants are now required to talk with the Foundation before applying in the interest to reduce workload on agencies in light of less funds for distribution.
June 2010

Three Internal Goals: Grant Award Process; Board Leadership & Succession Planning; Grow Portfolio & Board Financial Understanding.
June 2010
The Foundation implements Technical Assistance (TA) application for identified grantees who recognize need and opportunity of outside assistance.
June 2010

Foundation Assets value: $6,750,545. Grants Awarded: $171,308. Community Building: $132,078.
June 2010
Office manager position ended.
September 2010

The Board holds their Annual Meeting in Jackson County. Officers: Mike Heverly, President. Burke Raymond, Vice President. John Duke, Treasurer. Annette Batzer, Secretary.
September 2010

Rachelle Schaaf, Steve Boyarsky, and Julia Beattie are appointed to the Grants Committee.
December 2010

The Board confirms Strategic New Internal Goals & Objectives.
December 2010
JRHA reorganizes into 5 health action areas and the Elwood Executive Director develops logic models for each action area.
March 2011
The Jefferson e Funders Forum Celebrates their 10th Annual Retreat.
March 2011
JRHA Pilots the Choosing Options, Honoring Options program.
March 2011
JRHA dives into Health Reform using five specific work groups.
March 2011
The Gordon Elwood Foundation leverages staff support for JRHA to hire a bookkeeper and a project coordinator.
June 2011
The Foundation initiates a video project to capture the 10th year of service through the investments in the region aligning with Foundation’s values and strategies.
June 2011

Foundation Assets value: $7,503,736. Grants Awarded: $181,065. Community Building: $116,100.
June 2011

The Board decides to hire a new .05 FTE Office Manager to keep track of bookkeeping and reduce outsourced expenditures.
September 2011

The Board holds their Annual Meeting in Curry County and meets with the leaders of the county. Officers: Burke Raymond, President. John Duke, Vice President. Annette Batzer, Treasurer. Stephanie Johnson, Secretary.
September 2011

Opportunity to proactively link systems and programs holding the mission and purposes that align with the foundation’s vision
September 2011
The GEF Executive Director joins in early conversation about launching a prenatal to 24 year old multicounty and stakeholder initiative; which becomes the planning and process team to launch a collaborative vision .
September 2011

The Foundation’s Ad Hoc committee formed to look at potential proactive strategies for focused funding.
September 2011
Identified as a priority issue GEF coordinates next steps between Jefferson e Funder Forum members and Rogue Valley Food System stakeholders and funders outside the region.
September 2011
Video taping of Board members & grantees commences.
September 2011
John Harmon resigns and becomes Emeritus.
January 2012
The Gordon Elwood Foundation provides structure and framing support for Food System Planning Process & Structure.
January 2012
Executive Director co-launches P-24 years imulti-county initiative with the Job Council, SOU, RCC, ESD, 549c, and over 50 other community organizations.
March 2012
JRHA hires consulting director to move the five work groups forward.
March 2012
The Foundation’s Ad Hoc Project Committee begins Learning Journey.
June 2012

The Board focuses energy and time on evaluating policies, leadership transition practices & ensuring mission and values are strong and relevant.
June 2012
The Board makes the decision to change Grants Application Process to an online format.
June 2012

The Foundation co-initates the first three meetings in light of the closing of drop-in centers and increased crime and loitering in Bear Creek parks. The foundation researches other community efforts to increase arts and environmental efforts.
June 2012

Foundation Assets value: $6,995,824. Grants Awarded: $150,635. Community Building: $141,843.
July 2012
The Office Manager beings the audit process on Accounting Policies & Procedures.
July 2012
The Executive Director is reelected for a second term on the Board of Philanthropy Northwest, an association of Northwest funders.
July 2012
The Office Manager works with the Bromelkamp Company to setup the online application system for Spring 2013 grant session.
July 2012
The Executive Director facilities the American Leadership Forum February Class Workshop for two days on Theory U.
July 2012

The Executive Director is on the Conference Session Panel for funding in rural Oregon.
July 2012
The Foundation becomes a thinking partner with Kairos’s Executive Director on developing a regional ACEs intervention and rehabilitation project.
July 2012
The GEF Executive Director develops story and text for the JRHA website to act as a repository of history and reflection of current projects and regional interests and issues.
September 2012

The Board holds their Annual Meeting in Jackson County.
September 2012

The number of applicants to the SOU Academia Latina expands to 135.
December 2012
JRHA expansion of action and work groups, requires more GEF executive Director to coach & train consultants and manage voluntary leadership framework as Secretary of JRHA Board.
December 2012
With a staff coordinator and steering committee in place, Foundation Executive Director steps away from the coordinating team for the Food System Planning Process and Work Plan
December 2012
Julia Beattie and Steve Boyarsky are elected to the Board of Directors.
May 2013
The Board holds their meeting at Tap Rock Evergreen Room in Grants Pass.
June 2013

Foundation Assets value: $7,373,327. Grants Awarded: $187,296. Community Building: $110,616.
July 2013
With assistance of student intern, the GEF Office Manager and Executive Director finish the organizational timeline.
September 2013
The Board holds their Annual Meeting. Officers elected for 2014: Dan Kosmatka, President. Annette Batzer, Vice President. Julia Beattie, Treasurer. Steve Boyarsky, Secretary.
October 2013
Upstairs offices are reorganized for new in-kind tenants and the transition of JRHA staff.
October 2013

Kathy Bryon is re-elected the Condo Association Secretary.
October 2013

The Board and staff of the Foundation continues their 2010-2014 Strategic Plan Implementation.
October 2013
The Board creates a Strategic Program Matrix as one page dashboard of foundation activities.
December 2013
The Board holds their meeting at the DA Davidson Conference Room. They reviewed the recommended fall slate of awards.
December 2013


The Board continues to support the development of a community-wide Cradle to Career Initiative focused on generating successful outcomes for all children, youth and families in their educational, personal, and professional pursuits.
February 2014
The Finance and Executive Committees agree to have board attendance at the 2014 Philanthropy NW & Grantmakers of Oregon Conference in Sunriver. Kathy is on the PNW program planning Team and will arrange the board’s attendance.
May 2014
The Board holds their retreat in Brookings focused on succession planning, including input from 2013 board member self evaluation and using the organizational evaluation framework developed in 2006. Also, special meeting with local leaders and funders.
July 2014



The Board provides matching funds to the summer Conservation Corp employment for students in Klamath County.
September 2014
Lilia Caballero joins the Grant Committee.
April 2015
The Committees decide to award $10,000 to the Family Nurturing Center.
June 2015
An SOU intern from the Digital Media program was hired for the summer to update and expand the current website with new resources, recent news articles and media, and Board member’s biographies.
June 2015

Executive Director develops position, manages Executive Committee support, financing and hiring process.
August 2015




The Executive Director attends the RAC Summit in Medford. The Oregon Education Investment Board (OEIB) has launched the Regional Achievement Collaborative Initiative (RAC) to forge connections that increase educational outcomes.