$2,500 - $5,000 awards for folks connecting Central Oregon.

Some people weave us together. They are the folks most people know and trust, those we count on to get neighbors together when we need to tackle a shared problem or get something done. They show up for others and connect us. They are weavers.

You probably are one of them or know a weaver. Let’s recognize and help them get $2,500-5,000 and other resources to continue doing their important work.

What is weaving?

Weaving is the practice of building meaningful relationships that set the conditions for social trust to grow in communities.

It begins with a simple commitment: to see one another as equal in dignity, even when experiences and viewpoints differ.

Weaving invites people to:

• Discover what they have in common
• Learn how their differences can make the community stronger
• Work side by side toward common good.

Weaving can be formal or informal, and it is characterized by four qualities:

• Local: It brings together people who share the same neighborhood, town, or region
• Mutual: It celebrates everyone’s contributions and creates opportunities for everyone to both give and receive
• Welcoming: It invites people to join as they are
• Continuous: It builds relationships that deepen over time through ongoing engagement

What are the Weaver Awards?

The Weaver Awards are part of a collection of activities designed to celebrate and support weavers—everyday neighbors who are building relationships, strengthening belonging, and weaving trust into the social fabric of their communities. The $2,500-5,000 awards for neighbors working together are easy to apply for, require only simple reporting, and can go to individuals or small organizations.

These awards will help us strengthen local leadership, deepen trust, and build a last culture of belonging in Central Oregon. Our goal is to shine a light on the quiet leaders in our community and support the work they’re already doing to build trust, connection, and belonging.

Why are we launching the Weaver Awards in Central Oregon?

The richness of our communities comes from people of different perspectives, cultures, and experiences coming together to care for one another. We recognize that Weavers already exist in our communities and are doing this work quietly and with limited resources. That’s why we are honored to partner with Weave: The Social Fabric Project to award microgrants that fuel and catalyze more weaving across our region. The Weaver Awards will allow us to shine a light on leaders in our region and uplift the work they’re already doing to develop trust, connection, and belonging.

The Central Oregon Weaver Awards builds upon COIC’s existing Rural Community Building Program which provides technical assistance and services to community builders and organizations who take on non-traditional leadership roles. We look forward to supporting community building work in both rural and urban places through the Weaver Awards.

What will you get if you become a Weaver Awardee?

Each Weaver Awardee will receive a financial award of $2,500-5,000 to recognize their contributions and catalyze weaving in their community. In addition, each awardee will receive:

• Local and National Recognition: Awardees will be recognized both locally and nationally by the Aspen Institute alongside weavers from across the country.
• Learning Resources and Tools: Awardees will access and be connected with trainings, technical assistance, and skill-building opportunities.
• 1:1 Support: Awardees will receive 1:1 support to implement their community-based activities.
• Networks and Connections: Awardees will access a network of other local weavers and participate in regular meetings and networking events.

Who is eligible?

For someone to be considered for an Award they need to:

• Be 18 or older
• Live and serve in Central Oregon (Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson Counties; Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs).
• Have a project that helps connect neighbors and fosters relationships between them
• The project is open to anyone in the community
• The project addresses a shared need in the community
• If the project is part of an organization, the organization must have an annual budget below $250,000
• Have a community recommendation from a community member who lives in the area you serve.

What makes a good candidate for a Weaver Award?

Weaving is characterized by four qualities: Local, Mutual, Welcoming, and Continuous. We are looking for people and organizations with projects or initiatives that reflect these qualities. We are looking for folks that get neighbors together to tackle a shared issue in their community. The project must also welcome anyone who wants to join it and foster relationships between participants.

For examples of past weavers and their projects, click here.

How can you use the funds?

We believe that weavers know best how to use the funds to connect their communities. However, we do have a few restrictions:

Funds may not be used for:

• Regranting funds
• Large sums for items that are not for community use (i.e. building supplies for private use)
• Purchasing items that would be donated to individual people (i.e. wheelchairs)
• Tuition or certification fees

You can see a sample budget, as an example, here.

Who selects the Weaver Awardees?

A local advisory group, made up of Central Oregon community leaders and community-builders, will choose the Awardees. These are people who know the spirit of the region and its communities. They care about weaving a strong social fabric and they know what it takes to do so.

Community Advisors

• Rachel Alm

  Oregon Community Foundation

• Lucia Barragan Rodriguez

  Latino Community Association

• Gwen Carr

  Crook County Foundation

• Dawn Cooper

  Roundhouse Foundation

• Kathy DeBone

  Newberry Regional Partnership

• Gwen Jones

  Central Oregon Health Council

• Sean Keithly

  Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)

• Patti Norris

  Leadership Crook County / Community Advocate

• Gabriela Peden

  Better Together Central Oregon

• Debbie Taylor

  Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce

• Megan Tuck

  Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)

• Megan Vibbert

  Bean Foundation

FAQ

What are the Weaver Awards?

The Weaver Awards recognize at least 20 people from Central Oregon who are leading efforts in their community to address local needs with $2,500-5,000 awards.

Who can get a Weaver Award?

The awards are for individuals, small groups, and small nonprofit organizations doing a project that brings people together, fosters relationships with one another, and addresses a shared need in the community. The Awards are not intended for large organizations. Small nonprofit organizations with annual budgets under $250,000 are eligible to receive an Award. To get an award, you have to live and work in Central Oregon and be 18 or older. You don’t have to be part of a nonprofit organization.

To receive an award from COIC, applicants must also be able to provide the tax identification number and corresponding physical address of the individual or organization that is applying for the grant.

How do I nominate someone for a Weaver Award?

Nominating someone is very simple. You only need to answer three questions that can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. You can access the nomination form on this page, starting on June 15. Nominations close earlier than the application on August 15.

To nominate someone:

• You must be 18 and older
• Live, work or learn in Central Oregon (Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson Counties; Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs)
• You must have first-hand knowledge of this person’s work.

You may not nominate someone if:

• You are a close relative, spouse, or paid employee of the person or organization being nominated.
• You are an institutional funder of the project.

Once you submit the nomination, the person you are recommending will be notified via email and must fill out the Weaver Awards application to be completed. Please let them know that you’ve nominated them for a Weaver Award so they are expecting an email from us.

How are award amounts determined?

Awards will be within the range of $2,500-5,000. Specific award amounts for selected awardees will be determined by the Local Advisory Group based upon available funds and application scoring.

How long does it take to complete the application process?

The application has two parts, the application by the aspiring Awardee and the nomination or recommendation. Each part can be completed in as little as 30 minutes and you can even submit video recordings instead of a written application.

Do you have to be attached to a nonprofit to get an Award?

No. Anyone can get the Award. You don’t have to have or be part of a formal organization. Weaver Awards are meant for those who don’t have the time, experience, or resources to apply for traditional awards.

How do you apply and what's the deadline?

Completed applications with nominations have to be submitted by August 22 at 5:00 PM through the COIC Weaver Awards application website. You can apply or recommend someone through the links in this page.

I’m having trouble completing the application or recommendation form, what should I do?

Send an email to weave@coic.org and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

What happens after I submit my application?

A group of Central Oregon local advisors will review and select the Weaver Awardees. In the meantime, keep in touch with us at coic.org/weaverawards to stay connected or attend one of the upcoming info sessions:

• Prineville @ Crook County Library - Friday, June 12 from 1 - 2 pm
• Redmond @ Dry Canyon Community Center - Monday, June 22 from 12 - 1:30 pm
• Online Webinar - Tuesday, June 23 from 12 - 1 pm. Registration required.

How do I tell others in my community about the Awards?

Spread the word by sharing the Awards home page at https://awards.weavers.org/en/centralor/2026 to folks you know and through your social accounts.

Have additional questions?

Contact us at weave@coic.org and we’ll be happy to answer them!

If I'm submitting a video application, can I submit only one video?

No, you need to submit a video for each question that requires a video response. It’s the best way to make sure that the judges properly evaluate your answers. Please make sure you respect the guidelines of time limits. We only allow a maximum of 2 minutes per video response.

Can I use a Fiscal Sponsor?

Yes, you may work with a fiscal sponsor to support with administration of funds. If you decide to work with a fiscal sponsor, please indicate this in your application and budget. If your fiscal sponsor takes a fee, please indicate this in your budget. Fiscal sponsor fees may not exceed 10% of the total project budget.

What is the timeline for being awarded and using the funds?

Weaver Award applicants will be notified of the status of their application in October 2026. Selected Awardees should expect to receive funds in November/December 2026. Preferred projects will occur and spend their funds within one year of signing grant agreements. Exact timelines for spending funds will be determined with selected Awardees during the grant agreement process.

How do you verify annual budgets for nonprofit organization applicants?

If applying with an organization, you will be required to submit your most recent Form 990. If your budget has changed significantly since your last Form 990 was complete, there is an option to submit an official letter stating how and why your annual budget has changed or is expected to change.

If I'm nominated, do I need to add a Recommender in my application?

No. If a community member nominated you for a Weaver Award, you do not need to provide a Recommender in your application. The nomination counts as your recommendation.

If you fill out an application without being nominated, you will need to add a Recommender in your application.

Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)

Established in 1972, the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council is a regional council of governments serving Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson counties, and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, providing planning, transportation, economic development, and community services that support regional collaboration and resilience.

About Weave: The Social Fabric Project

Weave: The Social Fabric Project is an initiative of the Aspen Institute dedicated to strengthening trust, connection, and belonging in communities across the United States. Weave supports everyday weavers—neighbors who show up for others, bridge divides, and build community. Through storytelling, online learning, community-building programs, and the Weaver Awards, Weave works to repair America’s social fabric from the ground up and lift up the people who are already leading this work in their neighborhoods. Learn more at weavers.org.

Contact Us

For more information about the Weaver Awards and Info Sessions, visit coic.org/weaverawards

If you have questions, please email weave@coic.org