Milagro receives $35,646 in Grants to Support Original Programming and Community Engagement

Miracle Theatre Group (dba Milagro), the Northwest's premier Latino arts and culture organization, was recently awarded 4 grants totaling $35,646 in support of creative community engagement efforts, an annual dinner celebrating the Day of the Dead, the traditional holiday celebration Posada Milagro, and general operating support and technical assistance.

"One of the most gratifying aspects of the work we do at Milagro is the realization that so many people and foundations recognize the importance and the uniqueness of a theatre company reaching out into the community to make a difference, to increase awareness and diversity, to educate and inspire on and off the stage. We are incredibly grateful for the support we receive, which allows us to keep working towards our creative vision of a country that embraces Latino art and culture, to the enrichment of all communities." - Jose Gonzales, Executive Director

The largest award comes from the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), which approved the second year of a two-year grant (for a total of $60,636), for general operating support. RACC awarded Milagro with $18,040 from funds from the City of Portland and Multnomah County; Work for Art provided $12,606. RACC receives funding from a variety of public and private partners to serve artists, arts organizations, schools and residents throughout Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. RACC provides grants for artists, nonprofit organizations and schools; manages an internationally acclaimed public art program; raises money and awareness for the arts through workplace giving; convenes forums, networking events and other community gatherings; provides workshops and other forms of technical assistance for artists; and oversees a program to integrate arts and culture into the standard curriculum in public schools throughout the region through "The Right Brain Initiative." For more information, visit www.racc.org.

U.S. Bank awarded Milagro a $2,500 grant for general operating support. U.S. Bank funds organizations and programs that build audiences for the arts, especially among underserved populations; bring select and limited civic amenities to underserved, rural communities; and promote the arts in education. Through the U.S. Bank Foundation, Community Affairs and Corporate Giving, U.S. Bank provides cash contributions to nonprofit organizations in our grant priority areas of education, economic opportunity, and artistic and cultural enrichment. Total annual funding in 2012 reached $47.7 million. For more information, visit www.usbank.com/community/charitable-giving.

Milagro also received a grant in the amount of $1,000 from OnPoint Community Credit Union to support Posada Milagro, a free community based, family holiday festival featuring local artists & performers who share Latino American traditions through performances, arts workshops, storytelling and food. Posada Milagro provides an opportunity for the whole family to spend an afternoon together at El Centro Milagro in engaging arts activities during the Christmas holiday season. Founded in 1932 by a group of schoolteachers as the Portland Teachers Credit Union, OnPoint creates opportunities for members to realize a better life. OnPoint makes contributions to organizations, agencies and activities emphasizing education & financial literacy, community development, and youth & families. For more information and a list of other recent recipients, visit https://www.onpointcu.com/community/giving.html#stepone.

Finally, The Standard sponsored ¡Viva Milagro!, the organization's 2013 Day of the Dead dinner for $1,500. Founded in 1906 in Portland as the Oregon Life Insurance Company, The Standard supports community development, education and disability organizations. For more information, visit www3.standard.com.

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