The mission of the Steve Prefontaine Foundation is to preserve and promote Pre’s legacy and to financially support Coos County athletes who participate in high school track and field and cross country. The Foundation awards scholarships annually to deserving college-bound applicants, and through a grant program assists Coos County high school track and cross country teams with facility improvements, purchase of equipment and operating expenses. Since 2005, when we awarded our first scholarships, the Foundation has given scholarship grants to 49 Coos County student athletes. Grants to high school track and cross county programs since 2006 total nearly $170,000.

Foundation fundraising efforts over the years have also resulted in the construction of the Prefontaine Memorial next to the Coos Bay Visitor Information Center, the opening of the Prefontaine Gallery in the Coos Art Museum, and were instrumental in the construction of the Prefontaine Track at Marshfield High School in 2000.

In 2016, the Foundation approved the implementation of a Supporter Program to allow local businesses to partner with us in our mission. We ask supporters for a three-year commitment, which may be extended at the supporter’s request. We initially partnered with the Southwestern Oregon Boys & Girls Club and Tower Ford to underwrite the costs of the Pre for Kids 3-mile Race. This longstanding community event for first through eighth-grade students is held the day following the Prefontaine Memorial Run. Underwriting provides entry to the event without cost to all participants and includes a t-shirt donated by Nike.

In 2017, additions to the Supporter Program were implemented to include underwriting for each race. Partner Level supporters include Pacific Properties (10K Race), Banner Bank (High School 5K Run) and Advanced Health (2-Mile Fun Run). Supporters that are also recognized at the Partner Level for their in-kind donations include Nike, Bigfoot Beverages and Epuerto.

The Supporter Program offers additional tiers of financial and in-kind support. Sponsor Level supporters include Farr’s Hardware and North Bend Medical Center. Friend Level support comes from Wild Coast Running Company, and In-Kind support from Nasburg Huggins Insurance.