Our Mission

Investing in Southern Oregon's youth, individuals, families and communities.

Field of wild flowers with the Oregon moutains and river in the background
Community meeting at a local gallery

Our Vision

Oregon's Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Curry Counties
are home to successful youth and individuals, thriving families and communities.

We leverage and invest talent and financial resources in southern Oregonians so that:

Youth and individuals thrive

in school and in life.

Individuals and families live

independently and interdependently with dignity and respect.

Communities evolve

as situations of the people who live, work
and play in these communities change over time.

Youth, individuals, families

and the organizations that serve them are connected,
creating a unique and sustainable community fabric.

Our Values

We are inspired to demonstrate:

Financial Stewardship

by creating from Gordon Elwood and Amanda Thompson’s financial legacy a Foundation vision
and mission supported by prudent investment and thoughtful disbursement of funds.

Social Stewardship

by touching lives in a proactive and interactive manner.

Integrity by living the mission

through employing strategies of patience, learning, teaching, compassion, caring, and love.

Investment in the Journey

by thinking, acting, and committing resources to creating
and sustaining the Foundation's mission, vision and values.

Individuality

by being innovative.

Statue in a park with people sitting on a bench
Black and white photo of Gordon Elwood

Gordon Elwood, 1920-1990

"[My parents] had me pay room and board as soon as I got out to work. I had to help buy my own food at home and my own bicycle for the paper route. I also sold Liberty Magazines right from the start—and I've been kind of a workaholic ever since."