Local Grant Funds
North Portland Neighborhood Services Small Grants
The North Portland Neighborhood Services Small Grants Reimbursement Program supports community building and community activities in North Portland.
2021 Recipients of Neighborhood Small Grants:
- North Portland Parks Group — Discovery Walks English to Spanish Translation
- Somali Community Development Project — culturally specific training on civic engagement, policy education, financial literacy, and household budgeting to refugees and immigrants, helping new Americans achieve self-sufficiency
- Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association — Burritos for Arbor Lodge Shelter, purchase 70 burritos from a local business, Burrito Azteca, to supplement meals for individuals living at the Shelter for 12 weeks
- YaYA Resources — Sexual Exploitation Prevention and Intervention
- Doers Gathering Training — Training for individuals and organizations working and advocating for people experiencing houselessness, food injustice, and housing instability
- Peace Lutheran Church — Hot Meals to Arbor Lodge Shelter
- Our Village Gardens — Supports a community garden and community orchard in the New Columbia neighborhood
- Dreaming of Potential Excellence — Blessed Temple Community Church, Annual Exploration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Middle through High School students.
2021-2022 Application Timeline:
- Application Opens: November 15, 2021
- Application Deadline: December 30,2021 4:59pm
- Awards Announced January 24, 2022
Minimum Requirements
Civic Life will only award grants to registered 501(c) 3 non-profit organizations. If your entity is not registered as such, please seek a fiscal sponsor that represents:
- 501(c) 3 non-profit, or
- a government entity, or
- a business that is registered with the City of Portland.
Contact for Questions
Don’t have a fiscal sponsor? Not sure what a fiscal sponsor is? Not 100% sure your fiscal sponsor meets our requirements. Don’t let that stop a good project. Contact Mary Jaron Kelley as soon as possible to learn about fiscal sponsorship options:
Other Local Funding Sources
Metro Central Enhancement Fund
Metro. Projects must enhance the lives of those who live or work within the target area boundary. Applications available early late summer/early fall. Community Enhancement funds community building projects. More information at OregonMetro.gov.
Nature in Neighborhoods
Metro. In the NPNS district, this grant applies only to the Friends of Cathedral Park Neighborhood Association. Applications available in early fall. Natural and open space projects. More information at OregonMetro.gov.
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) Space Grants
EMSWCD. All NPNS District neighborhoods are eligible. Rotating monthly application. Conservation education and community events that promote natural resource conservation. More information at EMSWCD.org.
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) PIC GRANTS
EMSWCD. All NPNS District neighborhoods are eligible. Applications available late summer/early fall. Soil erosion prevention/control, soil health, water quality, water conservation, or watershed health projects. More information at EMSWCD.org.
Community Watershed Stewardship Grants & Native Plant Mini-Grants
City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services. All NPNS District neighborhoods are eligible. Enhancing watershed health. Applications due late winter. More information at www.portlandonline.com/bes
Venture Portland Benchmark & Economic Development Grants
Venture Portland. All City of Portland including the NPNS district. Applications available late summer/early fall. Business district funding. More information at VenturePortland.org.
Community Livability Grant
Portland Development Commission (Prosper Portland). All Interstate Urban Renewal Corridor Area includes selected NPNS district areas. A “bricks and mortar” grant, funding historic preservation, open space, recreation facilities, etc. More information at ProsperPortland.us.
Green Features Grant
Portland Development Commission (Prosper Portland). All Interstate Urban Renewal Corridor Area includes selected NPNS district areas. Green building incentives for businesses. More information at ProsperPortland.us.
Lester Viles Fund
Lester Viles North Portland Project Association. All NPNS district. This foundation distributes funds with a business connection to the community. More information at LVNPPA.org.