The Philomath Scout Lodge recently secured two separate grants totaling $3,820 to support facility improvements and an ongoing veterans memorial expansion at its 58-acre property.
On Feb. 6, the lodge was awarded a $2,820 matching grant from the Siletz Tribal Community Fund during a formal distribution ceremony at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. The funds are earmarked for replacement of the facility’s failing hot water heater, which officials described as a critical component for daily operations.
The Philomath Scout Lodge was one of 55 organizations statewide to receive support during the most recent grant cycle, in which the Siletz Tribal Community Fund distributed a total of $231,298.09 to Oregon nonprofits.
“Hot water is a valuable commodity for the volume of youth we serve,” the Scout Lodge said through a press release. “This generous support from the Siletz tribe ensures we can continue providing a safe, functional and welcoming environment for our community’s children at no cost to them.”
According to the release, the lodge serves as a community hub, providing free space for hundreds of local youth each month. The Siletz Tribal Community Fund is a charitable contribution program that dedicates 5% of its revenues to grant assistance supporting education, health, public safety and the arts throughout the region.
Separately, the city of Philomath awarded the Scout Lodge a $1,000 grant through its Transient Lodging Tax fund as part of a broader $16,931 allocation for the 2025-26 fiscal year. That money will go toward the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of the veterans memorial on the lodge grounds.
The city distributes TLT funds to local initiatives that drive tourism and align with the city’s strategic growth objectives. The Scout Lodge’s memorial project was selected for its role in enhancing tourism-related facilities and creating meaningful destinations for visitors and residents.
“This grant allows us to continue our extensive rebuild of the veterans memorial, ensuring it remains a place of reflection and honor for those who served,” the lodge stated.
The expansion is part of a broader effort to maintain the lodge as a premier community and event space in Philomath.