The Richard and Barbara Marx Foundation concentrates giving on direct-service charities in and around Rickreall/Salem (Polk County) with a strong emphasis on food security, homeless and youth support, and animal welfare. Grants also include faith-based rescue/mission programs and a smaller stream of international health and development partners. The foundation tends to make modest-to-medium sized awards and often repeats support to the same organizations. Its giving is pragmatic and locally focused, aimed at front-line relief and community wellbeing rather than large institutional endowments.
A 2026 grant of $58,300 to Ella Curran Community Food Bank stands out in the Richard and Barbara Marx Foundation’s recent record, and it points to the center of the foundation’s work: direct support for basic needs in Polk County and nearby Salem-area communities. The foundation gives mostly to local service organizations rather than institutions with broad regional footprints, with food access, family stabilization, homelessness services, youth support, and animal welfare appearing repeatedly among its awards. Its recent grants also show support for rescue and mission programs that provide shelter and essential aid, alongside a smaller set of health and development grants outside Oregon. The pattern is practical and service-oriented, with multiple grants going to the same organizations over several years, including Family Building Blocks, Marion Polk Food Share, Union Gospel Mission, Medical Teams International, and Willamette Humane Society. Awards are generally modest to mid-sized, but the foundation also makes larger grants when a program is central to its priorities, as seen in food-bank and family-support funding. The result is a clear picture of a funder focused on immediate community relief and front-line care.
Food access is one of the clearest threads in the Richard and Barbara Marx Foundation’s giving. In 2026, it gave $24,200 to Marion Polk Food Share for food support and $7,700 to James 2 Community Kitchen for access to food. Family stabilization is another recurring area: the foundation awarded $28,600 to Family Building Blocks in 2026 to provide support to high-risk families, following earlier grants of $23,750 in 2024 and $17,500 in 2023 for the same purpose. Homelessness and shelter-related support also appears in the recent record, including $18,150 to Union Gospel Mission in 2026 for support for homeless individuals and $15,400 to Salvation Army Polk County for support. Animal welfare is a separate and sustained line of giving, with $18,150 to Oregon Humane Society in 2026 for services to pets and people and $9,020 to Humane Society of the Ochocos for animal shelter.
The foundation’s grant sizes cluster in the modest-to-mid-range: p25 is $3,750, the median is $5,000, and p75 is $12,500. That distribution fits a pattern of many small operating-style awards, paired with a smaller number of larger grants for priority local programs. The recent record shows repeat support over multiple years rather than one-time gifts; Family Building Blocks, Marion Polk Food Share, Medical Teams International, Union Gospel Mission, Salvation Army Polk County, Issacs Room, and the humane society grantees all reappear. It is a private foundation, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$295K
$4.5M
$1.3M
$298K
Most grants fall between $4K and $13K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$13K
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Concentrated on recurring, small-to-mid sized grants with many organizations receiving repeat annual support (multiple grantees show 2 grants). A handful of top recipients capture a notable share of total dollars, but the portfolio remains distributed across local human services, animal welfare, faith‑based charities, and some international partners.
Notable grantees: Family Building Blocks, Marion Polk Food Share, Willamette Humane Society, Union Gospel Mission, Medical Teams International
Giving is strongly concentrated in Oregon: 83% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is Oregon. Salem appears often, including grants to Family Building Blocks, Marion Polk Food Share, Union Gospel Mission, Salvation Army Polk County, and Issacs Room. Other Oregon cities also show up regularly, such as Independence, Portland, Dallas, and Prineville. Outside the state, the foundation made a smaller number of grants to Washington, DC-based Technoserve, but the overall footprint remains local.
Its recent grants focus on food security, family and youth support, homelessness services, animal welfare, and some faith-based rescue or mission programs. Examples include food banks and community kitchens, family stabilization groups, shelters, and humane societies.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Family Building Blocks, Marion Polk Food Share, Medical Teams International, Union Gospel Mission, Salvation Army Polk County, Issacs Room, and the humane society grantees.
The distribution centers on smaller awards: p25 is $3,750, the median is $5,000, and p75 is $12,500. That suggests the foundation usually gives in modest amounts, with larger grants reserved for a few priority programs.
Most grants go to Oregon recipients, and 83% of grants are to organizations in the foundation’s headquarters state. Salem is especially prominent in the recent record, alongside Independence, Portland, Dallas, and Prineville.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELLA CURRAN COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | INDEPENDENCE, OR | $58,300 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO FOOD |
| FAMILY BUILDING BLOCKS | SALEM, OR | $28,600 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO HIGH RISK FAMILIE |
| MARION POLK FOOD SHARE | SALEM, OR | $24,200 | 2026 | PROVIDE FOOD SUPPORT |
| OREGON HUMANE SOCIETY | PORTLAND, OR | $18,150 | 2026 | SUPPORT SERVICES TO PETS & PEOPLE |
| UNION GOSPEL MISSION | SALEM, OR | $18,150 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS |
| MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL | PORTLAND, OR | $17,650 | 2026 | MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED |
| ISSACS ROOM | SALEM, OR | $15,400 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO YOUTH |
| SALVATION ARMY POLK COUNTY | SALEM, OR | $15,400 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE OCHOCOS | PRINEVILLE, OR | $9,020 | 2026 | ANIMAL SHELTER |
| JAMES 2 COMMUNITY KITCHEN | DALLAS, OR | $7,700 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO FOOD |
| TECHNOSERVE | WASHINGTON, DC | $7,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION |
| CASA OF POLK COUNTY | DALLAS, OR | $6,600 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE |
| ACRES OF HOPE | INDEPENDENCE, OR | $6,050 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO YOUTH |
| KAUAI HUMANE SOCIETY | LIHUE, HI | $6,050 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS |
| ACCION INTERNATIONAL | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $6,050 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| PEAR | PORTLAND, OR | $6,050 | 2026 | MENTOR HOMELESS YOUTH |
| MONMOUTH INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY FOU | MONMOUTH, OR | $6,050 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| MONMOUTH INDEPENDENCE YMCA | MONMOUTH, OR | $6,050 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| GARTEN | SALEM, OR | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES |
| CREATING OPPORTUNITIES | DALLAS, OR | $4,840 | 2026 | PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | SALEM, OR | $4,840 | 2026 | PROTECT LIFE AND HEALTH |
| ALZHEIMERS NETWORK | SALEM, OR | $4,510 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| DALLAS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GALE'S LODGE | DALLAS, OR | $3,300 | 2026 | TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR VETERANS |
| SALEM YMCA | SALEM, OR | $3,300 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| THE KINDNESS CLUB | DALLAS, OR | $3,300 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR KIDS IN NEED |
| PROJECT HOPE UGANDA | COLUMBIA CITY, OR | $3,080 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| FAMILY BUILDING BLOCKS | SALEM, OR | $26,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO HIGH RISK FAMILIE |
| MARION POLK FOOD SHARE | SALEM, OR | $22,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FOOD SUPPORT |
| OREGON HUMANE SOCIETY | PORTLAND, OR | $16,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT SERVICES TO PETS & PEOPLE |
| UNION GOSPEL MISSION | SALEM, OR | $16,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS |
| MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL | PORTLAND, OR | $16,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED |
| ISSACS ROOM | SALEM, OR | $14,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO YOUTH |
| SALVATION ARMY POLK COUNTY | SALEM, OR | $14,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE OCHOCOS | PRINEVILLE, OR | $8,200 | 2025 | ANIMAL SHELTER |
| JAMES 2 COMMUNITY KITCHEN | DALLAS, OR | $7,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO FOOD |
| CASA OF POLK COUNTY | DALLAS, OR | $6,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE |
| CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | INDEPENDENCE, OR | $6,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC EDUCATION K - 12TH GRADE |
| PEAR | PORTLAND, OR | $5,500 | 2025 | MENTOR HOMELESS YOUTH |
| ACCION INTERNATIONAL | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $5,500 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| ACRES OF HOPE | INDEPENDENCE, OR | $5,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE SUPPORT TO YOUTH |
| MONMOUTH INDEPENDENCE YMCA | MONMOUTH, OR | $5,500 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| KAUAI HUMANE SOCIETY | LIHUE, HI | $5,500 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ANIMALS |
| TECHNOSERVE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | SALEM, OR | $4,400 | 2025 | PROTECT LIFE AND HEALTH |
| CREATING OPPORTUNITIES | DALLAS, OR | $4,400 | 2025 | PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| ALZHEIMERS NETWORK | SALEM, OR | $4,100 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT |
| ELLA CURRAN COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | INDEPENDENCE, OR | $3,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO FOOD |
| THE KINDNESS CLUB | DALLAS, OR | $3,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR KIDS IN NEED |
| DALLAS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GALE'S LODGE | DALLAS, OR | $3,000 | 2025 | TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR VETERANS |
| SALEM YMCA | SALEM, OR | $3,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT |
UNION GOSPEL MISSION
$18,150SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS
MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED
SALVATION ARMY POLK COUNTY
$15,400TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE OCHOCOS
$9,020ANIMAL SHELTER
JAMES 2 COMMUNITY KITCHEN
$7,700TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO FOOD
TECHNOSERVE
$7,500TO SUPPORT EDUCATION
CASA OF POLK COUNTY
$6,600SUPPORT FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE
ACRES OF HOPE
$6,050PROVIDE SUPPORT TO YOUTH
ACCION INTERNATIONAL
$6,050TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
PEAR
$6,050MENTOR HOMELESS YOUTH
MONMOUTH INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY FOU
$6,050SCHOLARSHIPS & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
MONMOUTH INDEPENDENCE YMCA
$6,050TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
GARTEN
$5,000SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
$4,840PROVIDE SUPPORT
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$4,840PROTECT LIFE AND HEALTH
ALZHEIMERS NETWORK
$4,510TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
DALLAS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GALE'S LODGE
$3,300TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR VETERANS
SALEM YMCA
$3,300TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
THE KINDNESS CLUB
$3,300TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR KIDS IN NEED
PROJECT HOPE UGANDA
$3,080TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
UNION GOSPEL MISSION
$16,500SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS
SALVATION ARMY POLK COUNTY
$14,000TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE OCHOCOS
$8,200ANIMAL SHELTER
JAMES 2 COMMUNITY KITCHEN
$7,000TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO FOOD
CASA OF POLK COUNTY
$6,000SUPPORT FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE
CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
$6,000PUBLIC EDUCATION K - 12TH GRADE
ACRES OF HOPE
$5,500PROVIDE SUPPORT TO YOUTH
MONMOUTH INDEPENDENCE YMCA
$5,500TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
TECHNOSERVE
$5,500TO SUPPORT EDUCATION
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$4,400PROTECT LIFE AND HEALTH
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
$4,400PROVIDE SUPPORT
ALZHEIMERS NETWORK
$4,100TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
THE KINDNESS CLUB
$3,000TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR KIDS IN NEED
DALLAS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GALE'S LODGE
$3,000TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR VETERANS
SALEM YMCA
$3,000TO PROVIDE SUPPORT