2012 DePreist Award Honors Greg Chaille, Oregon Community Foundation President

DePreist Award To Honor Departing Oregon Community Foundation President

Volunteers of America Oregon is pleased to announce that Greg Chaillé, President of the Oregon Community Foundation, has been selected as the recipient of the 2012 DePreist Award for Excellence.

The DePreist Award for Excellence is given annually to outstanding citizens who demonstrate the highest level of community involvement.  It marks a worthy capstone to Chaillé’s extremely successful career, as he will be retiring at the end of this year.  In his 23 years at the helm of Oregon Community Foundation, Chaillé has led the foundation as it grew from a $10 million to $1.2 billion in assets, making it the nation’s ninth-largest community foundation.  Since 1980, OCF has awarded $649 million in grants in scholarships, including $60 million that was given out in 2010 to roughly 2,000 non-profit organizations and 2,300 students. OCF also helps organizations, individuals, businesses, and familiesto create charitable funds that support important community causes.   

Under Greg’s leadership, the foundation has helped to launch a number of statewide initiatives, including programs that promote early childhood development, create strong, vibrant neighborhoods, and provide early access to high quality education.” said Kay D. Toran, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Oregon. “Through its Advised Funds and  general community grant program, OCF has changed and improved the lives of many children and families in our community.”

Added Toran, “Greg Chaillé richly deserves the DePreist Award for Excellence.”

Although Chaillé has set the bar high for his successor, he will also make sure that person learns from the best.  After retiring at year’s end, Greg will assume the role of senior advisor for the foundation.

Congratulations, Greg!