Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) today announced the opening of the 2026 Central Oregon Weaver Awards application and nomination form. Community members and small nonprofits across Central Oregon are encouraged to apply or nominate someone who is actively building social trust and belonging in their community. Applications will be accepted from June 15 through August 22, 2026.
About the Weaver Awards
COIC was selected by Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute as one of 25 Community Host Organizations in the United States, bringing the Weaver Awards to Central Oregon. The program invests in rebuilding social trust and belonging from the ground up by recognizing and supporting Weavers — community members who intentionally foster relationships of care, connection, and civic engagement.
Each year, COIC will recognize 20 or more Weavers, awarding microgrants of $2,500 to $5,000 to individuals or small nonprofits whose projects model connection, relationship-building, and trust. Eligible applicants must be residents or small nonprofits based in the region (Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson Counties; Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs).
By applying for a Weaver Award, you will have the opportunity to join a local and national community of awardees, access tools and resources from COIC to support your work, tell your story, and inspire more weaving in your community.
What is Weaving?
Weaving 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
Weaving invites people to discover what they have in common, learn how their differences make the community stronger, and work side by side towards a common goal. It is the practice of building meaningful relationships that set the conditions for social trust to grow.
Upcoming Information Sessions
COIC will be hosting two upcoming information sessions where prospective applicants can meet with program staff, hear about what it means to be a Weaver, and learn how to apply for or nominate someone for a microgrant.
In-Person Info Session — Redmond, Oregon
Date: Monday, June 22, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Location: Dry Canyon Community Arts Center, 415 SW 6th St, Redmond, OR
Online Info Session — Virtual Webinar
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Location: Online webinar (registration required; click here to register)
For more information, go to COIC’s website, coic.org/weaverawards or email weave@coic.org.
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
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