The Fund’s Story
The Billi Odegaard Scholarship Fund is a community-based educational fund established in Portland, Oregon to honor the life and legacy of public health leader Billi Odegaard.
Created to reflect Billi’s lifelong commitment to equity, service, and opportunity, the fund supports ethnically diverse students who aspire to careers in nursing. By removing financial barriers and providing mentorship, the scholarship helps future nurses begin their journey at Clackamas Community College and continue through Oregon Health & Science University, ensuring a full pathway to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Since its inception, the Billi Odegaard Scholarship Fund has helped open doors for students who reflect the communities they will one day serve. Guided by Billi’s belief that access to healthcare begins with access to education, the fund covers all costs of attendance—tuition, books, housing, and fees—and connects each scholar with mentors dedicated to their success.
Today, the Fund continues to grow through community partnerships, volunteer mentors, and alumni who carry forward Billi’s mission of compassion and inclusion in healthcare. While the program has evolved, its purpose remains the same: to honor Billi Odegaard’s legacy by empowering the next generation of diverse nursing leaders.
Mission
Improve the health and healthcare experiences of Oregonians by developing a professional nursing workforce that mirrors the ethnic composition of the individuals and communities being served.
Vision
Continues Billi Odegaard’s dream and life’s work of a well-educated, ethnically diverse nursing workforce that is dedicated to improving the health of all Oregonians. The Fund provides resources and removes barriers so that qualified ethnic minority students can achieve a world-class education.
Our People
The Billi Odegaard Scholarship Fund is led by a dedicated volunteer board and supported by a part-time staff member who help carry forward Billi’s vision of equity and opportunity in nursing education. Together with mentors, alumni, and community volunteers, they work to ensure that Billi’s legacy lives on—empowering diverse students to serve their communities through compassion and care.