What is the fund for?
Supporting the youth ACTING COMMUNITY
The Benjamin Buckley Young Actors Fund supports nonprofit theaters and organizations in the Portland, Oregon area. Awards from the fund focus on developing and growing young people pursuing experiences and education in the performing arts. In an effort to provide as wide a reach as possible to the community, the fund seeks out nonprofits who provide opportunities for youth including summer programs, camps, workshops, youth oriented stage productions, in-school presentations, and more.
The fund is advised through the Oregon Community Foundation, a permanent endowment for community improvement efforts throughout the state of Oregon. Grants are constantly being generated through the foundation's investments, allowing distributions to continue with virtually no end. Invariably, the larger the fund grows, the greater the benefit to young actors in Oregon. This permanent advised fund exists to provide a perpetual, charitable resource for the youth stage production community now and in the future.
Who is Ben Buckley?
Growing up ACTING IN PORTLAND
Ben Buckley was a native Oregonian who had a passion for the performing arts. Born June 27th, 1984, Ben spent a majority of his 30 years within Portland's city limits. A natural performer from the beginning, Ben started acting on stage as early as 9 years old. As a young performer he found himself picking up roles in various productions around town including the Portland Opera and the Portland Ballet. In search of an outlet for his talent, Ben eventually settled on Northwest Children's Theatre where, at the age of 13, he was cast in several lead roles in performances like The Secret Garden and Jack and the Beanstalk. Ben naturally transitioned into the theatre program at Grant High School where he performed in more than 8 large productions while also successfully competing in tap dancing and Grant High School's chamber choir, the Royal Blues.
After graduating high school, Ben moved to London to train at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Ben graduated with honors and spent the next few years exploring theatre opportunities in New York and Chicago, finally settling back down in his home town of Portland. Some of his Portland credits include productions at Portland Center Stage, Artists Repertory Theatre, Broadway Rose Theatre Company, Lakewood Theater Company, and Oregon Children’s Theatre. Ben tragically died in September, 2014, leaving behind a loving mother, brother, grandmother, and many many friends.
