Scholarships/Grants

FOUNDERS SCHOLARSHIP

PFLAG Lower Columbia offers its Founders Scholarship which honors the courageous and visionary leaders who founded the chapter in 2004. We will be accepting applications in winter 2027 for the 2027-2028 school year.

WHO SHOULD APPLY
Individuals who:
- Identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC communities, and
- Live in or are from one of five Lower Columbia counties:
-- Columbia and Clatsop in Oregon
-- Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, and Pacific in Washington, and
- Have been active in support of 2SLGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC communities, and
- Currently attend or have been accepted to a trade school or college/university

Founders Scholarship

2026 Scholarship Award Celebration

Scholarship awardees Minette and Manuel (center) were joined by current chapter president Megan and founder Mary Ann (left), plus founders Niis and Barb (right). Minette and Manuel are two of the seven recipients of the inaugural Founders Scholarships. A reception with a celebratory cake was held in their honor.

Our grants and scholarship program is made possible by the generosity of the Inatai Foundation.

Organizational Grants

PFLAG lower Columbia offers grants to organizations that meet the following eligibility criteria:
Applicant Eligibility and Procedures:
- Operates in one of five Lower Columbia area counties: Columbia and Clatsop in Oregon and Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum in Washington
- Applies for grants using the online Organizational Grant Application form.
- May receive one grant per calendar year.
- Amount of grant is limited to $200 unless the Board approves another amount.
- The applicant’s mission and proposed project or use of the funds must align with the mission of PFLAG Lower Columbia.
- The PFLAG Lower Columbia Board of Directors reviews applications and either approves or disapproves applications.
- Recipients of PFLAG Lower Columbia grants must agree to the following: Neither the recipient organization, nor its agents, will unlawfully discriminate in employment or contracting practices, volunteer opportunities, or advocacy efforts on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity/expression, age, medical condition, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Individual Grants

We are grateful to everyone who recently applied for individual grants. The response was overwhelming. Unfortunately, we have reached our budgeted capacity. We will resume offering grants during our next budgeting year.

PFLAG Chapter Grants

PFLAG Lower Columbia offers grants to PFLAG chapters in northwestern states that serve rural areas where funding resources may be limited and to new chapters.
- Grants are for chapters in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
- Apply using the PFLAG Chapter Grant Application form.
- The PFLAG Lower Columbia Board of Directors reviews applications and either approves or disapproves applications.
- Recipients of PFLAG Lower Columbia grants must agree to the following: Neither the recipient organization, nor its agents, will unlawfully discriminate in employment or contracting practices, volunteer opportunities, or advocacy efforts on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity/expression, age, medical condition, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The Janus House of Cowlitz County

~ The Janus House is a drop-in outreach center for youth and young adults (ages 12-24) who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing.
~ The PFLAG Lower Columbia Board of Directors donated $1,000 to Janus Youth Program of Cowlitz County.
~ Board members Dale (L) and Debbie (R) presented a donation check to Janus House staff (L to R) Georgia, Stevan, and Program Supervisor Tynna.

Emergency Support Shelter

~ The Emergency Support Shelter (ESS) of Longview offers services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, families with children experiencing homelessness, homeless youth, and individuals affected by crimes, including those seeking legal and medical support.
~ The PFLAG Lower Columbia Board of Directors donated $1,000 to the Emergency Support Shelter of Longview.
~ Board member Dale presented a donation check to ESS Executive Director Shir-a, Development Director Sara, and Operations Director Felina.

Micronesia High School Mentorship

~ The Micronesia High School Mentorship program is sponsored by the Ethnic Support Council. It offers academic support, career preparation, drug and alcohol prevention education, and cultural enrichment activities to local Micronesian high school students.
~ The PFLAG Lower Columbia Board of Directors donated $1,000 to Ethic Support Council for the Micronesia Mentorship Program.
~ Board members Shannon (L) and Dale (R) presented a donation check to the Ethnic Support Council staff: Annette, Chuukeese interpreter, Sally, Community Out Reach Coordinator, and Mikie, Executive Director.

Closet Cleaners

~ The Closet Cleaners is an LGBTQ+ youth group in Astoria sponsored by the Lower Columbia Q Center.
~ The PFLAG Lower Columbia Board of Directors donated $1,000 to Lower Columbia Q Center for The Closet Cleaners.
~ Board member Dale (R) presented a donation check for the Closet Cleaners to the Q Center Executive Director, Benedetto (L).

The Beacon

~ The Beacon is a youth group that provides a safe environment to promote recovery and develop life skills sponsored by The Jordan Project.
~ The PFLAG Lower Columbia Board of Directors donated $1,000 to The Jordan Project for The Beacon.
- Board members Megan (L) and Carla (R) presented a donation check for The Beacon to The Jordan Project founder Aliza Mooney (center).

Triple Point

~ Triple Point is a support group for Clark County LGBTQ+ youth sponsored by Akin (formerly Children's Home Society).
~ The PFLAG Lower Columbia Board of Directors donated $1,000 to Akin for Triple Point.
~ Board member Shannon (L) presented a donation check for Triple Point to Akin staff. Shown with Shannon are Triple Point leaders (L to R) Connie, Hillary, and Sammee.

Amani Center

~ For 18 years Amani Center has conducted a Race Against Against Child Abuse in St Helens. 2026 is the first time PFLAG Lower Columbia participated.
~ The PFLAG Lower Columbia Board of Directors donated $250 to the Amani Center for the Race Against Child abuse. Later the chapter donated an additional $500.
~ PFLAG board member, Dale, presented the donation check to Amani Center director, Amelia (R) and race event coordinator, Monica (L). They were joined by the Wauna Credit Union eagle mascot.

Out of Darkness Walk

~ Each year Oregon and Washington chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) conduct numerous Out of Darkness Walks to raise funds to prevent suicide.
~ The PFLAG Lower Columbia Board of Directors donated $500 to the Columbia County Out of Darkness Walk.
~ PFLAG board members, Dale and Brice, told walk participants about PFLAG resources and Dale presented a donation check to Oregon Area AFSP director, Helen(R).