The Tradition
Community 101SM, a program of the PGE Foundation and The Oregon Community Foundation, involves students through service, leadership and philanthropy. It is an innovative collaboration among schools, businesses, and charitable organizations in which students are given the tools to bring about positive change in their communities.

Used by teachers in high school classrooms in Oregon, C101 is aligned with Oregon's essential skills for career-related learning. It helps prepare students for 21st century jobs and careers. C101 is used to teach civic engagement, global literacy, critical thinking, public speaking, use of technology and contributing to their community. It is a creative way for students to learn about their community and to problem-solve issues they learn about.

The Mission
The mission of Community 101 is provide students opportunities for service and leadership through philanthropy and volunteering.

The Impact
Since its beginning in 1997, over 6,500 students have awarded more than $1.2 million to nonprofit agencies to improve the quality of life for Oregonians. The funding has come from the PGE Foundation and other foundations and corporations concerned with educating youth through real-world responsibility.

2007-08 Program
Number of Schools: 35
Number of Youth: 1,500
Number of Nonprofit Recipients: 96
Number of Grants: 135
Grant Dollars: $187,440 distributed
Number of Funding Sponsors: 9
 Second of 3-year collaboration with Oregon Department of Education through a National Learn & Serve grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service

How C101 Works
Each class of students is provided up to $5,000 for grantmaking in the areas of education, healthy families, and arts and culture. During a 7-9 month period, the class operates a mini-foundation. They:

  • survey student body
  • write a mission statement
  • research nonprofit organizations
  • distribute Requests for Proposals to nonprofits
  • review grant applications
  • interview and visit nonprofits
  • award grants
  • volunteer
The program can be used in many types of classes: business, English, Spanish, government, leadership, civics/history, etc. Some students use the program for their Senior Project.

Community 101 brochure
2008 Community 101 brochure

Learn more about
Community 101



Community 101 Video
Windows Media Player Quicktime Format
Windows Media Player Quicktime

Narrated by Leigh Halverson (Community 101, Westview High School), this video features a synopsis of the Community 101 program, how students, their teachers, the community and nonprofit agencies benefit, as well as resources for getting involved. Total running time: six minutes.