Eastern Oregon University Reading Clinic Receives Over $250,000 in Grants to Support Literacy Initiatives
Eastern Oregon University Reading Clinic Receives Over $250,000 in Grants to Support Literacy Initiatives
LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Reading Clinic at Eastern Oregon University received three significant grants totaling $250,220 from the Wildhorse Foundation, Ford Family Foundation, and Meyer Memorial Trust. These funds will help sustain and expand the clinic’s critical literacy programs, providing both teacher training and free tutoring services for children in rural Oregon.
The Wildhorse Foundation awarded a $25,220 grant to support tutor compensation and curriculum materials. This funding ensures the continuation of the Reading Clinic’s free tutoring services for children who are striving readers, first established through funding from Benedict Silverman Foundation and The Reading Institute. The tutoring clinic employs trained university student tutors to provide individualized instruction four days per week, tailoring lessons to each child’s unique needs. Tutors work with students in schools, after-school programs, and remotely, eliminating financial and geographical barriers to literacy support.
“Rural communities often lack access to high-quality literacy intervention programs,” said Dr. Ronda Fritz, director of the EOU Reading Clinic. “Thanks to the Wildhorse Foundation’s generosity, we can continue offering evidence-based tutoring to continue helping children reach reading proficiency faster.”
During the 23-24 academic year, Meyer Memorial Trust awarded the EOU Reading Clinic $75,000 and most recently awarded an additional $140,000 through their Our Empowered Youth project to further expand teacher training and tutor services. The majority of these funds have been and will continue to offer training to teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators in rural areas outside of the local community. Some of the funds will be set aside to expand high-dosage tutoring services across the eastern Oregon region.
The Ford Family Foundation awarded $10,000 to bolster both teacher training and direct tutoring services. Since its founding in 2021, the Reading Clinic has trained over 300 teachers across seven rural Oregon counties in effective literacy instruction methods. Each educator undergoes hands-on mentorship in literacy assessment and instructional strategies, ensuring they are equipped to support students in their classrooms. Ford Family Foundation’s grant helps sustain this vital support.
In addition to the teacher training first established in 2021, the clinic has expanded its direct services to striving readers with support from each of these organizations. Under the direction of Jess Hagedorn, the clinic’s Director of Tutor Services, in the 2023-2024 academic year alone, the Reading Clinic provided over 3,300 one-on-one tutoring sessions to 173 students—all free of charge. The EOURC Tutoring Clinic is on track to serve a similar number of students during the 2024-2025 academic year as well. Jessica Hagedorn shared, “We are committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based instruction that improves literacy outcomes for children in rural Oregon. Data shows tremendous progress for the striving readers we serve. In addition, something that can’t be quantitatively measured is the human impact of our EOU students investing this time and their talents into children within our communities.
These children are not only being supported with effective reading instruction but are also making daily connections with role models from communities just like theirs. This work is providing a glimpse into the possibility of a new and exciting future for our next generation.”
The EOU Reading Clinic remains committed to bridging the literacy gap in rural Oregon, ensuring that every child has access to the education they deserve.
“These grants directly impact the lives of children and educators across eastern Oregon,” said Dr. Fritz. “We believe literacy is the key to breaking cycles of poverty, improving health outcomes, and fostering engaged communities. With this funding, we can continue making a difference.”
For more information about the Eastern Oregon University Reading Clinic, visit https://www.eou.edu/reading-clinic/ or contact rfritz@eou.edu.
About the Wildhorse Foundation
The Wildhorse Foundation awards over $1 million annually to government, Tribal, and nonprofit organizations in the homeland area of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla people. Founded in 2001, the foundation is committed to strengthening communities through philanthropy, honoring the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s tradition of giving back.
About Meyer Memorial Trust
Meyer Memorial Trust is committed to advancing educational equity in Oregon by supporting community-led, justice-focused initiatives. Guided by the belief that learning spans from cradle to career. Meyer focuses on fixing broken systems, supporting programs that respect different cultures, and helping leaders of color succeed and grow.
About the Ford Family Foundation
The Ford Family Foundation supports the people and places of rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California, through grants, scholarships, and community-building initiatives. With over 25 years of investment in rural communities, the foundation works to strengthen economic and social support systems for children, families, and educators.
