The History
of the Fairview Trust
The Fairview Trust's originated from the closure of the Fairview Training Center, a state-run institution for individuals with I/DD that operated from 1908 until 2000. A U.S. Justice Department investigation unveiled life-threatening conditions at the facility. This finding, coupled with a federal civil rights lawsuit, catalyzed its closure, marking an end to nearly a century of institutionalization.
The sale of the property led to the creation of the Fairview Trust, with the Oregon Department of Human Services initially overseeing its administration. Originally, the trust model aimed to honor a commitment to never segregate individuals in institutions again. Its initial funding focused on supporting community-based, independent living through home modification grants.
The Trust was restructured under the Oregon Community Foundation in 2019, guided by a newly constituted Advisory Board. This board has since broadened the Trust's impact beyond individual home modifications to include investments in affordable rental development projects and public policy advocacy, ensuring that the dark history of Fairview serves as a foundation for a future where individuals with I/DD enjoy the right to live independently and with dignity in their communities.