New Tribal Fund Shares Money with Community

North Bend, OR – The Coquille Indian Tribe has established a charitable foundation that will use profits from The Mill Casino • Hotel to assist in funding charitable organizations and community projects. Coquille Tribal Chairman, Ed Metcalf says, "The Coquille Tribal Community Fund allows us to fill a need that, in the past, may have gone without funding."

The CTCF is governed by a Board of Trustees and consists of one Coquille Tribal Council member, a representative of the Coquille Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and five members of the public at large. The Board of Trustees includes; Chair, Michele Burnette, Vice-Chair, Joe Benetti, Coquille Tribal Council member Tom Younker, and members Pete DeMain, Frank Amatisto, Sharon Parrish and Deana Scott.

Awards will be given in the areas of education, health, public safety, problem gaming, environment, arts and culture and historic preservation. Non-governmental organizations in Coos, Lane, Douglas, Jackson and Curry Counties are eligible to submit requests for funding. Awards to government agencies may be considered in Coos County only. The fund is expected to award $90,000 during the first year, then a comparable amount annually. Board Vice-Chair Joe Benetti says, "This fund is terrific. It is a win win situation for both the Tribe and the community."

The Coquille Tribal Community Fund is in addition to money currently given through the casino's donations fund. Those interested in applying should call 541.756-8800, Extension 515, or send an email to communityfund@themillcasino.com.