Wireframe — Henry Richmond Land Use Defense Fund
A 501(c)(3) private foundation founded 2023

A partnership to preserve Oregon's iconic land use system

Ensuring the next 50 years of rural land use protection in Oregon by strengthening the commitment and legal capacity of land use organizations across the state.

Hero image — Oregon rural landscape
Mission

We are asking you to become a partner in building our fund.

Our purpose

To ensure the next 50 years of rural land use protection in Oregon by strengthening the commitment and legal capacity of land use organizations across the state.

Our objective

  • Monitoring and compliance with Oregon's land use laws at the local and state level
  • Educating Oregon youth, community leaders, and legislators on Oregon's trailblazing land use system
  • Fostering a vibrant professional community of practice for land use professionals and volunteers
Image — farmland
The fund

A $10 million fund

Generating a 5% rate of return, invested in preserving the system that protects our working lands and landscapes.

$10M
Endowment goal
$500k
Annual grants to land use partners
$2.2M
Current & pledged assets (May 2026)

Monitor

  • Fund monitoring of local permitting decisions
  • Support land use watchdogs across multiple counties
  • Fund contracting attorneys for land use groups
  • Fund coordination of volunteering attorneys

Enforce

  • Fund challenges to illegal permitting decisions
  • Fund appeals of illegal decisions to LUBA and/or courts
  • Fund organizations' staff and outside legal costs

Educate

  • Fund staff with knowledge of rural lands policies
  • Fund a postgraduate fellowship in land use
  • Fund research and materials for advocacy
  • Fund education programs in schools
Managed by Washington Park Advisors — 40+ years, $365M under management Held at Charles Schwab
Why it matters
Image — Oregon farmland / landscape

Oregon's land use system needs defending.

Oregon needs funding for strategic, statewide advocacy across environmental organizations to respond to ongoing threats to farm and forest protections.

Oregon's rural working lands protections need to be celebrated in classrooms and in government policy-making across the state.

Oregon's land use system is at risk of incremental repeal via widespread lack of compliance and proliferation of loopholes — and needs local and statewide monitoring.

Oregon's unique land use system needs young practitioners trained with the technical knowledge to carry it forward for the next 50 years.

2025 impact

Landmark accomplishments

New partnerships with the Templeton Foundation and the Richmond family brought an additional $700,000 in 2025.

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Grant 1 — $41,000

Jim Johnson

Rural Lands Policy Advisor, 1000 Friends of Oregon

Jim joined 1000 Friends after 40 years working on rural land use policy for public agencies. His work directly addresses Oregon's steep loss of agricultural land to illegal development — one of the most pressing threats to the state's working landscapes.

Photo
Grant 2 — $41,000

Blair Batson

Senior Staff Attorney, 1000 Friends of Oregon

Blair is responsible for enforcement of Oregon land use laws protecting farm and forest land. Her legal work ensures Oregon's unique framework for protecting its working lands will endure for another 50 years.

Team

Board

Christian Richmond

Orchardist, board member — 1000 Friends of Oregon

Dick Benner

Former land use attorney, former director DLCD & Gorge Commission

Chris Beck

Former state legislator

Aubrey Russell

Community activist

Our board will welcome new members from partnering funds or families.

Advisory council

  • Ruth Richmond — Board Chair, Templeton Foundation
  • Robert Liberty — Former Director, 1000 Friends of Oregon; Former Metro Councilor
  • Ann Squier — Former Governor's Natural Resources Director, Former Gorge Commissioner
  • Paul Dewey — Founding Director, Central Oregon Landwatch
  • Mike McCarthy — Orchardist, Board Member Thrive Hood River
  • Jean Pekarek — Land Use Advocate, Enterprise OR
  • Jeff Kleinman — Land Use Attorney
  • And growing.
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