Children’s Museum, Humane Society and Seniors Among Beneficiaries of Medford’s $611,750 Funding Round

By Diane Megaw On Sep 11, 2025

Medford Oregon City Hall — Medford City Hall. Jackson County, Oregon | Credit: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives

MEDFORD, Ore. — The Medford City Council approved $611,750 in funding to several local programs aimed at strengthening community well-being, enhancing public spaces, and expanding educational and cultural opportunities at their September 3 meeting.

This round of funding, which comes from local and state marijuana tax revenues collected by the Council Community Initiative Fund (CCIF), will go to:

Cover debt service for the new Fire Station 15, currently under construction, at $300,000 as part of the council-approved annual allocation for 20 years, effective 2024.
Downtown Medford Association ($150,000): To support continued downtown revitalization through community events, business growth, and the development of residential properties, creating a more vibrant downtown.
The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon ($100,000): To fund scholarships for families who might not otherwise afford them, making high-quality educational opportunities more accessible.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern Oregon ($100,000): For a financial counseling and homelessness prevention program—the first of its kind in Oregon.
Southern Oregon Alliance of Physician Partners ($100,000): To aid efforts to recruit qualified healthcare professionals to serve the Medford area.
Southern Oregon Humane Society ($50,000): To help fund construction of a $11 million facility in north Medford.
Medford Senior Center ($30,000): For interior improvements such as removing outdated ceiling materials, repainting, and furnishing classrooms to serve seniors better.
Medford-Alba Sister City Association ($30,000): To enhance Medford’s sister-city relationship with Alba, Italy, through projects like flag installations in Alba Park and upgrades to the Alba Room at City Hall.
Rogue Rapids Swim Team ($25,000): For scholarships to local youth to improve access to swimming lessons and promote water safety.
Rockafairy ($21,750): To go towards equipment for events, creative workspaces, an art gallery, music scholarships, and community programming.
Medford Police Department ($5,000): To replace the vandalized memorial honoring K-9 Oxer, Medford’s first canine officer who served with handler Tony Young.