The Renaissance Foundation

Since its inception in 2000, The Renaissance Foundation has primarily invested in educational access and services for those with financial need. The Foundation’s signature program, the Renaissance Scholars Program (RSP) was created in 2005. RSP focuses on providing renewable college scholarships to talented students with significant financial need who will be the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Throughout RSP's history, our scholars have achieved great success. Eighty-nine percent of Renaissance Scholars earn their bachelor’s degree within six years, and 92% have graduated overall since RSP’s inception. In comparison, the national college graduation rate for first generation, low income students is less than 22%. RSP is fully funded by The Renaissance Foundation. The foundation also awards grants to organizations that share the same core values. Organizations that Renaissance has supported in the past include College Possible, Earthjustice, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), and many others. The Foundation generally funds programs in the Portland area but has funded some national/international programs as well. The Renaissance Foundation also initiated a business skills training program at Mercy Corps called the Entrepreneurial Leaders Program that is now a signature staff development tool for their employees in countries around the world.