Resources

When it comes to business in Bend, no organization has been looking out for the best interest of this community longer than the Bend Chamber of Commerce. Since 1926 the Bend Chamber has worked to support its mission to be a vital strategic partner creating resources and opportunities for member success, quality of life, engagement and meaningful impact.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at COCC focuses on enhancing Central Oregon’s economic interests. Our mission is to deliver expert business advice and education to help existing and future business owners grow and succeed.

Opportunity Knocks (OK) is a 501 (c) 6 private nonprofit organization that serves the Central Oregon business and organizational community. OK matches industry and community leaders with a trusted, facilitated group of peers who act as peer mentors, or an informal Board of Advisors.

Founded in 1981, EDCO is a non-profit corporation supported by private and public members and stakeholders. Our mission is to create a diversified local economy and a strong base of middle-class jobs in Central Oregon.

Youth CareerConnect (YCC) is a regional initiative that provides Internship opportunities for high school and college age students. Through these opportunities, local employers provide “real-world” work experience for students. YCC has simplified the process for industry education by connecting Central Oregon students to relevant career opportunities through local Internships. Youth CareerConnect aims to achieve a “work-ready” labor force through successful placements of young adults in Internships.

Access a wide variety of data and information through the QualityInfo page, hosted by the Oregon Employment Department.

With hundreds of thousands of items in circulation and nearly 90,000 library card holders, We reach people where they are, whether it’s in one of our six locations, online, or through community outreach. The resources that the library provides children and adults is truly limitless.

Connecing indivduals, groups and organizations to hundreds of opportunities for community service throughout Central Oregon. The annual volunteer/board fair is April 20 - CLICK to register.

Bend Park & Recreation District maintains and operates more than 3,035+ acres of developed and undeveloped parkland. That includes 84 parks/open spaces and 75 miles of trail. We offer over 1,000 recreation programs for all ages and abilities throughout the area and at the Juniper Swim & Fitness Center, The Pavilion and the Larkspur Community Center, Home of the Bend Senior Center. We also hold several community events including the July 4th Festival & Pet Parade and Days of Play.

The City has a number of boards, committees, commissions or advisory groups that make recommendations to City Council or City administrative staff. Some committees are ongoing and established by law. Others are ad hoc, which means they are specific to a project and short-term. Opportunities to join on of the many committees are available.

The Council Goals Status Reporting Tool offers regularly updated information about our progress towards achieving Council Goals.

Council Goals and supporting objectives are set biannually and drive staff work plans. This is a new reporting tool for the City to communicate progress made on Council goals.

Learn when and where to add your voice to the conversations that impact our City. Open houses, city council meetings, community advisory committee convenings and more are kept up to date here.

Note: This calendar displays City of Bend meetings and events only

Neighborhood Associations maintain and improve the quality of life in the city, increase citizen participation in local decision making, and form an effective partnership between the city and neighborhood residents. There are 13 Neighborhood Associations that are recognized by the Bend City Council.

Advice on important topics is provided by committees and commissions to county departments and elected officials. Each committee/commission is comprised of community volunteers with expertise in a given field. Meetings are open to the public, which helps facilitate citizen involvement on each issue.

COIC supports the region as a trusted leader and partner, helping communities identify and address their unique and common needs through collaboration, shared service delivery, technical assistance, information sharing, and resource development.

The Deschutes River Conservancy is dedicated to restoring streamflow and improving water quality in the Deschutes River Basin.

Founded in 1996 as a collaborative, multi-stakeholder organization, the DRC's Board of Directors makes decisions by consensus and is comprised of key public and private interests including farming, ranching, timber, development, hydro-power, recreation, tribes, and environment.

The Deschutes National Forest encompasses nearly 1.6 million acres, offering year-around recreation opportunities.

Learn about how the Deschutes National Forest addresss management of fire, natural resources, recreation, wildlife and more.

Thirty-two years ago, The Environmental Center was born to inspire locals to live lighter on the planet. The work began with a handful of people and a building in the center of Bend. Today, The Environmental Center is a regional leader in environmental education, engagement, and action.

See a listing of the organizational partners here.

Founded in 1985, NeighborImpact is a private not for profit organization which serves all of Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. We envision a Central Oregon where residents, regardless of their income status, have hope and optimism, and have access to community resources that see them through times of need.

The Homeless Leadership Coalition (HLC) is a collaboration of community partners in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Coalition membership includes nonprofit homeless assistance providers, victim service providers, faith-based organizations, governments, businesses, advocates, public housing agencies, school districts, social service providers, mental health agencies, hospitals, universities, affordable housing developers, law enforcement, people with lived experience of homelessness, and others who care about the issues facing our unhoused neighbors.

Bethlehem Inn is a community-supported, high barrier emergency shelter that provides a warm, safe place to sleep, nourishing meals, and case management services for adults and children experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon. This life-saving and life-changing work could NOT be done without the generosity of this community.

“Moving To Bend”, sponsored by the Bend Chamber of Commerce, is the city’s centralized hub for all things related to relocating to Bend, Oregon. Their sole purpose is to provide a solid foundation of information in one place, making your move easier and less overwhelming. Gone are the days spending hours searching various websites to find answers to your relocation questions. Whether it’s learning about the multitude of schools in the Bend-La Pine School District, becoming familiar with different neighborhoods or just simply looking for a local referral for restaurants, Moving To Bend is where you will find it all!

Our community has an expanding transit system that allows for easy and frequent travel options. CET provides fixed-route Bend bus service throughout the city. With a growing number of routes, you can get to where you need to go on a fixed-route CET bus. CET currently offers riders 9 fixed routes in the city of Bend, with connections at Hawthorne Station to make bus commuting as easy as possible.

Latino Community Association (LCA) is an essential connecting point for our immigrant community to ask questions, have letters translated, get help making phone calls (interpretation) and negotiating payment plans (advocacy). They help families pay their bills, file their taxes, work through legal issues, find work, improve their English, and connect to new opportunities. They give their clients the time to be heard and understood. They also provide volunteer opportunities that bring people together across cultures to build a more cohesive community.

5th largest school district in Oregon
33 schools, plus two charter schools
18,375 students
2,005 staff members (Second Largest Employer in Central Oregon)
1,600 square miles make up the Bend-La Pine Schools attendance area

Central Oregon Community College, the oldest two-year college in Oregon, provides comprehensive college services to the residents of its 10,000-square-mile district.

COCC offers two-year associate degrees, transfer/lower division programs, career and technical education degrees and certificates, developmental courses, continuing education and community learning classes, industry-specific training programs, and business management assistance.

At Oregon State University – Cascades, we're out there at the edge. Of the Deschutes River and the Cascade Range. Of the high desert and the pine forest. And we're inspired by everything around us. You will be, too.

The High Desert Education Service District (HDESD) links school districts in Central Oregon to state and national education resources. Our programs help districts minimize duplication of services, preserve their local budgets and receive special programs that might otherwise be unavailable to them.

The mission of the Deschutes County Historical Society is to preserve, promote and celebrate our shared local history.

Our vision is to develop a vibrant museum and community center dedicated to education, research, and appreciation for our unique history, a living legacy that embraces many stories and grows with each new generation.