PLANNED PROGRAMS UNDER THE N.I.C.E. UMBRELLA
THE N.I.C.E. FOUNDATION PROGRAMS
The N.I.C.E. Foundation exists to preserve the history, culture, and identity of local communities while creating pathways for economic revitalization, education, and long-term sustainability.
Through historic preservation, community storytelling, and place-based initiatives, we help communities protect what makes them unique—while building opportunity for the future.
Take a look at what we do & how we help generate ongoing income so that we aren’t just relying on donations & grants to support our mission.
Everything — for now — runs as programs under The N.I.C.E. Foundation 501c3 Status
How This Looks Structurally
PRIORITY ONE
— N.I.C.E. COTTAGE COMMONS —
Rural Affordable Housing & Community Stewardship Project
Cottage Commons is a small-scale housing development designed to address the growing shortage of attainable housing in rural Oregon communities.
The project combines a cluster of thoughtfully designed cottage homes that provide affordable and stable (middle) housing opportunities for local residents while preserving open space, neighborhood character, and quality of life.
N.I.C.E. COTTAGE COMMONS
N.I.C.E. Housing: Affordable Middle Housing Communities
Our housing program will address the housing crisis by increasing housing supply and providing more affordable options for people of all income levels, including younger, older, and working individuals.
Middle housing in Oregon — Is specifically designed as “missing middle” or small-footprint housing—includes cottage clusters, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and courtyard apartments that offer a similar lifestyle to tiny homes, focusing on community, sustainability, and density.
These examples demonstrate how Oregon is using both permanent tiny home villages and cottage cluster developments to increase housing density while providing smaller, more affordable living options.
We are planning for the future by acquiring land in rural communities & implementing Oregon’s initiative.
Potential Partnership Opportunity
Oregon foundation unveils $100M fund to build middle-income housing
Oregon Community Foundation ranked as the top grantmaking organization in the Portland area last year, disbursing $211 million in grants, according to a list maintained by the Portland Business Journal. No. 2 was the Knight Foundation ($191 million), followed by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust ($80 million).
The new fund adds to similar efforts by state lawmakers, who passed legislation in 2024 to create a $75 million “Moderate Income Revolving Loan program.” The program launched in 2025 to help build rental or for-sale homes for households earning up to 120% of the area median income.
With the Building Hope Fund, the idea is for borrowers to leverage money from the fund to attract other capital partners such as investors, banks or donors to make their projects financially feasible, according to the news release.
The foundation said it considers middle-income housing as developments for households earning 80-120% of the area median income, but it plans to be flexible with that definition for its fund depending on the project.
The foundation said the Building Hope Fund isn’t yet prepared to issue loans and more information will be available in coming months.
“We hear it from business owners all the time: Jobs are sitting empty and opportunities are unrealized because working families cannot find housing,” Mensah said in a news release. “We will invest in housing for middle-income Oregonians — restaurant servers, bartenders, nurses, small business owners, construction workers, teachers — and offer reasonable loans to developers so they can get busy building.
”Anna Mackay, a Portland area homebuilder, said middle-income housing doesn’t fall neatly into the funding streams for private market units or publicly subsidized, low-income units.
“The Building Hope Fund is a galvanizing step toward housing more Oregonians,” Mackay said in the news release.
SAFE & STABLE HOUSING Read More
The N.I.C.E. Foundation Safe & Stable Housing Placement Program
Program Purpose: The Safe & Stable Housing Placement Program provides immediate, secure, and structured housing to adults with disabilities and their immediate family members who are experiencing housing instability or homelessness in Newberg and Yamhill County, Oregon.
The program exists to ensure that vulnerable individuals have a safe place to live while stabilizing income, accessing community resources, and transitioning toward long-term housing security.
Target Population
• Adults receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Immediate family members or caregivers when appropriate
Program Structure
• The nonprofit organization serves as the primary leaseholder for approved residential units.
• Program participants reside in the unit as beneficiaries of the transitional housing program.
• Rent payments are supported through verified Social Security income and, when applicable, local housing assistance programs.
The nonprofit maintains financial oversight and ensures timely payment of rent and agreed-upon obligations.
Program Goals
1. Provide immediate housing stability for individuals facing homelessness.
2. Maintain consistent rent payment and lease compliance.
3. Connect participants to benefits, housing assistance, and local community services.
4. Transition participants into long-term stable housing arrangements.
Oversight & Governance
The program operates under the governance of the nonprofit’s Board of Directors. The President oversees financial management, compliance, documentation, and landlord communication to ensure professional and consistent operations.
Purpose: Community enhancement, housing stability, and support services for vulnerable individuals and families.
Governance: The organization is governed by a Board of Directors in accordance with Oregon nonprofit statutes. The President is authorized to enter into lease agreements and housing arrangements on behalf of the organization in furtherance of its charitable mission.
Financial Responsibility
The nonprofit maintains:
• Separate organizational records• Documented income verification for program participants
• Formal oversight of rent payments and housing compliance
• When acting as leaseholder, the organization assumes responsibility for ensuring lease terms are met in a timely and professional manner.
Contact Information: info@the-nice-foundation.org
PRIORITY TWO
— The Oaks Legacy Ranch —
• Clinics & Workshops – Weekend horse clinics, run by visiting professionals and hosted by our 501c3 non-profit, is a highly effective fundraising model that brings in income through rider registration fees, auditor (spectator) fees, facility rental fees, and on-site merchandise or food sales. These clinics provide expert education to the community while supporting the non-profit’s mission.
• Equine Therapy – The Oaks — Providing Proven Equine Therapy For Positive Mental & Physical Health Benefits
• Equine Services – Chiropractic, Massage, Redlight Therapy, Cryogenic Therapy, Behavioral Health Improvements
• Event Center – Weddings, Corporate Events, Wine, Art, & Book Clubs, Seasonal Outdoor Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation Classes
• Small Petting Zoo – Family friendly, our petting zoo will house pygmy goats, miniature highland calves, miniature donkeys, shetland ponies, and chickens (people can purchase farm fresh eggs).
• Stable Solutions – An Equine Care Planner & Barn Organization App For Horse Owners
• Quality Land Stewardship
Future Program
HISTORY CITY
History City: Roots & Renewal in Rural Communities
A Living History—and a Chance to Shape What Comes Next
• Heritage Preservation
• Downtown Revitalization
• Property Acquisition, Restoration & Repurposing
• Historical & Cultural Education
• Hub & Housing Opportunities
• Community Enhancements Through Purposeful Planning
TRADE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
It is incredibly important to have experienced tradespeople, especially in rural communities.
Our scholarships will help individuals (strong support for minorities), pursue a career that inspires them. We want people to love the work they do!
Our goal is to educate, create apprenticeship programs & help individuals start a business based on their trade if/when they are ready.
The Workforce Development Initiative of The N.I.C.E. Foundation
Across rural communities like Yamhill County, Oregon, families are facing a growing paradox:
• Good jobs exist
• Skilled workers are retiring
• Skilled workers are retiring
But education pathways are financially out of reach.
The N.I.C.E. Foundation believes the solution is clear:
☆ Invest in trade education.☆ Build local strength.
☆ Restore community stability.
N.I.C.E. PARKS & TRAILS
N.I.C.E. Parks & Trails
Environmental Initiative
• Habitat Restoration & Protection
• Community Parks & Outdoor Recreation
• Watershed Restoration, Watershed, Farm & Livestock Adaptation
• Sustainability Practices
• Wildreness Educational Opportunities
• Environmental Science
• Purposeful Environmental Planning For Affordable Housing Communities
• Protection & Enhancement Of Rural Communties Through Advanced Planning Of Future Population Growth
• We Will Be Purchasing Land To Accomplish These Goals, Including The Creation Of Dedicated Horse Trails.
Trail Riding Is A Wonderfully Popular & Fun Activity For Horse Owners & There Are Not Enough Trails Available For Quick Day Rides.
We Hope To Create A Lasting Legacy For Horses & Riders To Enjoy Trail Adventures On Our Land Stewardship Acres!
One board. One compliance structure.
— All Under One EIN —
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
501c3 Tax Exempt Status (Pending) EIN 41-4838456
DOMESTIC NONPROFIT CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT
Location: Oregon, U.S.A. Registration Number: 252577391
Name & Address Of Registered Agent
75788399- Registered Agents INC 5441 S Macadam Ave Suite R. Portland OR 97239 USA