Search Through Aging Grants in Oregon in the U.S.

Statement of Objectives

Idaho Power Company (IPC) does not believe that its responsibility ends with the delivery of reliable, affordable, and clean energy to its customers. As a corporate citizen, IPC believes that its responsibility extends to supporting and participating in activities and organizations that help maintain and improve the quality of life within the communities we serve. Serving those who depend on us is at the center of everything we do. We all prosper by committing to the needs, safety, and success of our customers, communities, employees, and shareholders.

IPC’s contributions of financial and non-financial or “in-kind” support are investments in the economic and social viability of the communities we serve. But the benefits to the community and IPC are not always measurable, and subjectivity is a part of every contribution decision. It is the intent of IPC that its contributions strike a reasonable balance between the need to be accountable and responsible to our shareowners and customers and the desire to contribute to the economic and social needs within communities we serve. 

At IPC, we continually strive to lead with our values and beliefs. Idaho Power is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Our community comes from all walks of life and so do we. All contribution decisions will be made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age. 

 Community Contributions

Community contributions range from support for capital fund drives to sponsorship of nonprofit fundraising events to non-cash donations like awarding retired company vehicles to emergency-response organizations.

IPC has established five general categories of contributions.

These categories are:

• Health and Human Services:
• To assure the availability of adequate health care and human service support for employees and other members of the public and to promote the development of new, workable responses to health and human services needs, this category includes:
  • Support of organizations dedicated to this cause, and other federated campaigns.
  • Hospitals and other health care facilities.
  • Agencies for senior citizens and the elderly.
  • Youth agencies.
  • Local health and human service organizations.
• Agencies receiving primary funding from federated drives (e.g., Unites Way) to which IPC separately contributes are generally not eligible for additional health and human services operating funds. Exceptions may exist in the case of capital fund drives.

• Education:
  • Priority is given to education to ensure the continued availability of highly skilled, educated men and women to enrich local communities and from among whom IPC may draw employees, to encourage continuing research and development in academic areas relevant to IPC, and to promote standards of educational excellence.
• Culture and Arts:
  • Contributions made in this area are intended to encourage high standards of excellence and provide a pool of creative resources in the visual and performing arts for the enrichment of our employees and the community. This category includes support to orchestras, museums, theaters, performing arts programs, cultural arts programs, public radio and television, and non-academic libraries.
• Civic and Community:
  • Support for organizations and/or programs addressing civic and community needs demonstrates our commitment to increasing citizen awareness and participation in the management of community life. This commitment extends to supporting organizations that provide services for adequate housing and neighborhood improvements, local civic and community projects, conservation activities, and the support of groups desiring to develop workable solutions to community issues.
• Environment and Recreation:
  • This category provides contributions to organizations and projects that support environmental stewardship, including clean and renewable energy. It also supports the expansion and preservation of recreation opportunities.
• Other:
  • This category includes support for organizations not included in the four preceding categories, but which have a benevolent or philanthropic purpose relevant to IPC and its communities. 

IPC intends to respond to requests for contributions in a timely manner, and generally not more than 60 days following submission of the completed application.

Grant Funding Priorities

We aspire to a future where all  rural families provide childcare with a nurturing, safe, and stable foundation for life. A child’s early years are the most critical time for setting a positive trajectory for life. Research shows that trusted relationships with caring adults make all the difference. We want to help families access the supports they need.

What we prioritize:

• Parent and caregiver supports build nurturing and healthy attachments that allow children to thrive. Our communities have identified a need for programs that better match the demographics of families and the emotional needs of children. We prioritize home visiting, parenting education, early childhood mental health and other community supports for parents and caregivers.
• Family financial stability helps parents access programs that exist to assist low-income families, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. We also offer educational scholarships for parents.
• Child abuse prevention protects children and improves outcomes for future generations. We fund and partner with local organizations and regional and statewide networks to prevent abuse and neglect, build awareness and strengthen systems that bring stability and safety to the most vulnerable among us.Grants aligned with our Education impact area aim to ensure that rural children have the supports and opportunities they need to succeed in their education. Our emphasis is on early childhood education, helping children start strong in their early grades, and preparing students for the transition from high school to postsecondary education or a career.

We envision a future in which all rural young people experience educational success. Education has always been at the top of The Ford Family Foundation’s priorities. We invest in high-quality, affordable early childhood education all the way to our scholarship programs, which have helped thousands of aspiring college students achieve their dreams.

Our emphasis is on ensuring that children and their families benefit from targeted support across two key transitions — from the early years to the schoolroom, and from K-12 to educational and career opportunities after high school.

What we prioritize: 

• Early childhood education allows children to develop the habits, skills and healthy brains that will help them succeed academically as they enter their K-12 school pathway.
• P-3 alignment helps children and families transition from early childhood education settings to more structured classrooms. This ensures children can read independently, problem solve and manage their social-emotional needs.
• Supports and pathways build K-12 students’ knowledge, skills and awareness to plan for life after high school and to improve their long-term economic opportunities.
• Postsecondary completion for students, especially those who are the first in their families to attend and complete college, improves economic and social outcomes for them and their families.

We commit to a future where rural communities are vibrant places that provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.  The Ford Family Foundation is a community building organization. We support rural residents as they work together to develop a shared vision for their community’s future and implement plans that enable them to attract and retain a diverse population, especially working-age families.

What we prioritize:

• Community building catalyzes efforts by rural residents to address needs and improve their communities. Community building fosters leadership, relationships, capacity and collective action to create well-being for all, especially children and families. From scholarship alumni to business leaders, community builders are everywhere. Learn more about the rural Community Building Approach.
• Community economic development builds a vibrant rural economy, improves the economic well-being of families and makes the community a place where people choose to live. Rural business retention and expansion is at the heart of our work in this area.
• Organizational capacity building across the region supports a range of stable and effective organizations that contribute to more resilient rural communities. Nonprofits are the backbone of providing essential services to rural families.

Good Neighbor grants

They’re called Good Neighbor grants for a reason. Good neighbors help each other, learn from each other and lift each other up.

Good Neighbor grants are designed to support the initiatives that matter in your community in a way that works for your organization, including unforeseen emergencies that interrupt programming or services. We fund both program and capital requests.

For Good Neighbor Grants, applicants should note the following:

• 25% committed before applying (in-kind can play a role but strongest requests have other funding at the table)
• Can request up to 1/3 for programs/operations and up to 50% for capital
• Clearly need to see the community at the table where services will be provided
• We also look for a clear plan in place for sustainability
• You will typically hear back from us in six to 10 weeks

Grant amount: Up to $25,000

Grant examples

• Emergency repairs to essential equipment at a food bank, library, fire hall or other community service provider
• Updates to facilities at a beloved community gathering place, including ADA accessibility and technology
• Community events such as celebrations, clean-ups or summer festivals (Events and celebrations must be free to the public and multi-day or annual, such as a music or art series.)
• New or special programs for the children and families in your communities
• Studies or research on a community need
• Playgrounds or recreational facilities
• Translation of materials or outreach to special populations
• Basic needs for vulnerable children and families
• Feasibility studies for economic development projects (e.g., business incubator, makerspace, commercial kitchen)

Youth Empowerment Grants Program

Greetings and welcome to the Believe in Me Youth Empowerment Grants Program! We're here to bring tangible change to children's lives, and we're excited that you're interested in joining hands with us.

5 Pillars of Caring

From meeting basic needs to fostering a sense of belonging, your support creates transformative experiences for the kids who need it most. These initiatives provide everything marginalized youth need to overcome adversity and pursue their dreams. Your support cultivates life-changing connections and youth empowerment, instilling hope and confidence for the future. Let's dive a little deeper into our 5 Pillars of Caring.

• Basic Human Needs:
  • Amidst challenging times, these programs stand as pillars of support, meeting kids' fundamental needs with essentials like food, shelter, clothing, or vital documents. They also extend emotional refuge, providing solace for intense feelings, and create a haven of comfort as they transition to new environments, offering safe havens adorned with beds, blankets, toys, and more. Through these steadfast endeavors, a message of unyielding care shines, illuminating their path during the most trying moments.
• Love & Belonging:
  • Like a warm hug, these programs support vulnerable children who have been removed from their homes, cradling them with unyielding affection. Caregivers receive guidance to craft nurturing environments and preserve sibling bonds. Special advocates offer unwavering support, while the gentle presence of animal companions lends a hand in healing. Care packages and moments of respite stand as poignant symbols, affirming that every step of their journey is embraced with deep compassion and belonging.
• Community Support:
  • With care and kindness, these programs are beacons of light for youth facing challenges. They offer things like comfort, transportation, or legal guidance through tough experiences like trauma, abuse, or substance use. This lifeline doesn't stop when they come of age—it's a constant source of support, guidance, and help. As they enter adulthood, they find support for living independently, obtaining an education, and embarking on careers within a steadfast, supportive community.
• Education Program:
  • Nurturing a spirit of endless possibilities, these programs are guiding lights for kids to conquer anything, building success in education and equipping them with life skills like budgeting, cooking, and cleaning. Offering a bridge to knowledge and access to technology, they weave tutoring and career readiness into the journey. From leadership lessons to school supplies, these youth empowerment initiatives pave the way, cultivating a profound sense of brilliance and lighting a flame of hope for the future.
• Enrichment Program:
  • Every child deserves to conquer challenges and rise regardless of their journey. In these youth empowerment programs, young heroes who've triumphed over adversity connect, share stories, make friends, and embark on adventures that light up their lives. Through diverse, enriching activities like music, theater, sports, and art, they explore passions that fuel their spirits. With mentors as guiding constellations, they chart a course toward a brighter, promising future of self-discovery and boundless growth.

Features

• Mission-Centric Approach: We prioritize programs whose missions align with ours. When our goals resonate, we create something truly impactful.
• Tangible Impact: We're not just about ideas – we're about supporting initiatives that can make a real, measurable difference. Our focus is on results.
• Pacific Northwest Outreach: Our scope isn’t limited to Spokane. We extend our support wherever it's needed, spanning various corners of the Pacific NW.
• Fairness at Heart: Equal opportunities are at the core of what we do. Our commitment to fairness ensures that every grant application gets a fair evaluation.
• Good Stewardship: We place great importance on accountability. Our grants are allocated thoughtfully to maximize their impact.

Funding

Think between $5,000 and $15,000. That's our sweet spot.

Collins Medical Trust Grant

The Collins Medical Trust was established in 1956 by Truman W. Collins as a tax-exempt charitable trust under the laws of the State of Oregon. It is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and has been classified as a private foundation under Section 509(a) of the Code. The Trust is directed by a Board of Trustees.

Policies

The Collins Medical Trust values and funds a range of health-related research, including basic laboratory science, clinical research, and public health investigations. In addition, limited grants for professional health education are made.

The Jackson Foundation Today

Maria C. Jackson survived her husband, both of her sons and her grandson. She lived an active life in Portland until her death at age 93. She bequeathed relatively small amounts to her great grandson and her chauffeur and left the bulk of her estate to three trustees to establish The Jackson Foundation. The Foundation continues today as a permanent fund governed by the following language in her will:

Jackson Foundation is administered by the Charitable Services Group of U.S. Bank. The Jackson Foundation is a broad purpose charitable fund that responds to requests deemed most appropriate to "promote the welfare of the public of the City of Portland or the State of Oregon, or both."

The PGE Foundation works in collaboration with the community to help improve educational outcomes, inspire critical thinking through arts experiences and strengthen family stability.

Education

We believe that education is the cornerstone of individual success and community vitality. That's why we're committed to partnering with organizations that provide young people with real opportunities for the future. Our goal is to offer students a clear pathway to higher education and/or a career.

If you're interested in submitting a proposal for an education program, consider:

• Hands-on applied learning experience, specifically initiatives that connect students to the world of work
• Curriculum that engages students with goals and aspirations, provides opportunities for adult mentorship and measures age-appropriate development of essential skills (e.g., socio-emotional skills)
• Collective impact models that support system-wide transformation

We prioritize programs that use input from the community they're serving and intentionally focus on communities that have faced historic or systemic barriers in reaching equal outcomes.

What is Metro?

Metro works with communities, businesses and residents in the Portland metropolitan area to chart a wise course for the future while protecting the things we love about this place.

Where is Metro?

Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The agency's boundary encompasses Portland, Oregon and 23 other cities – from the Columbia River in the north to the bend of the Willamette River near Wilsonville, and from the foothills of the Coast Range near Forest Grove to the banks of the Sandy River at Troutdale.

Nature in Neighborhoods Grants

Nature in Neighborhoods grants support community projects and programs across the region, from local park improvements to stream restoration to hands-on nature education for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Grant programs under Nature in Neighborhoods include:

• Nature education
• Restoration and community stewardship
• Capital
• Community choice

Grants are designed to support communities of color and other communities who have experienced barriers to accessing Metro grant funding in the past.

Community Stewardship and Restoration Grants

Metro's Nature in Neighborhoods grants provide opportunities to support and create partnerships in local communities that improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and connect people with nature.

Potential Projects

Funding is available for projects that:

• preserve and restore local fish and wildlife habitat
• create, support and/or deepen partnerships in local communities
• address inequities in the conservation movement
• support larger conservation initiatives
• increase people's awareness of the need for protecting and managing natural areas
• engage people in protecting and managing natural areas at the community level
• increase the expertise and capacity of organizations to lead habitat restoration and land management activities
• provide environmental resources and economic opportunities to communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized groups
• offer direct access to protected natural areas and the positive impacts of clean land, air and water to communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized groups.

Funding

Funding for the community stewardship and restoration grants funding cycle is set at $750,000. The final slate of proposals recommended for funding will include a mix of small, medium, and large grants. Small grants have a maximum award of $50,000, medium grants have a maximum award of $75,000, and large grants have a maximum award of $100,000.

Program Purpose and Goals

Community stewardship and restoration grants support and create partnerships in local communities that improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and connect people with nature.

All applications must clearly meet the grant program’s overall purpose. Priority will be given to applications that meet each of the grant program’s three goals.

Goal 1: Improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat

These grants will preserve and restore fish and wildlife habitat in local communities and support larger environmental justice and conservation initiatives.

Examples of project strategies and activities:

• Increase the health of the overall urban landscape for native species and people. Address environmental justice and our region’s history of displacement.
• Promote stewardship of wildlife on urban landscapes and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
• Reduce hazards to wildlife and humans.
• Remove invasive species and enhance native vegetation.
• Support climate change adaptation and climate resiliency initiatives.
• Improve regional habitat connectivity.
• Restore ecological processes and functions in natural areas.
• Engage and support a variety of local approaches, and ways of knowing and being.
• Focus on multiple key habitats and species

Goal 2: Community partnerships, collaboration and accountability

These grants create, support and/or deepen partnerships in local communities. Strategies for community engagement fall on a spectrum from deep, personal engagement to outreach via mass media, but should aim for transformational partnerships rather than transactional information sharing.

Examples of project strategies and activities:

• One-on-one personal connection (e.g. involve multiple community members in project design, implementation and/or outreach, community participation in hands-on restoration projects, organizing, workforce development, and mentoring).
• Outreach and/or marketing (e.g. social and mass media, group discussions, interpretive signs, mailings, project and/or site tours).
  • Collaboration with communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized groups to develop shared learning about environmental justice priorities and practices, and follow their direction to restore, experience and connect with nature and the region’s natural areas.
  • Provide information, advertising or other promotions so that residents can more easily learn where natural areas are located, how to access them, and what to do there.
• Increase the capacity of, and support for, organizations or businesses that are led by, organize with and/or employ people of color and other historically and continually marginalized communities in habitat restoration or local park and natural area land stewardship activities. Examples of capacity and support building activities include technical assistance, professional or leadership development, or stipends/compensation to participate in project design and/or implementation.
• Expanded partnerships with local and/or regional community-based organizations to support increased stewardship of local natural areas, fish and wildlife habitat.
• Intentional involvement of the community in restoration and stewardship efforts, contributing to community members’ sense of connection back to natural areas, providing opportunities to learn from and educate local users, residents and nearby school populations.
• Training on trauma informed care for natural and water resource professionals and community members who interact with people experiencing houselessness. Learn from houseless communities about their needs and desires to be in nature. Facilitate transformational, equity centered, trauma-informed approaches to address safety and provide resources for houseless communities to be in nature. 

Goal 3: Economic and environmental equity

The community stewardship and restoration grants help address inequities in the conservation movement. The grants provide outdoor, environmental, and natural resources; economic opportunities; direct access to protected natural areas; and the positive impacts of clean land, air and water to Indigenous communities, Black communities, communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized groups in greater Portland.

Examples of project strategies and activities:

• Provide social and economic benefits to Indigenous communities, Black communities, communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized communities beyond the specific project scope or original design.
• Increase the number and improve the experience of visitors, staff and programs at natural areas representing diverse racial, ethnic and cultural groups and other historically and continually marginalized groups. Provide opportunities to communities of color to learn about, guide, and have decision-making power in how agencies and communities manage and care for the land and create opportunities to care for trails, harvest seeds or plant native plants. Improve accessibility to and within natural areas for the elderly, people with disabilities and communities of color.
• Include workforce development goals for partner organizations or programs, including internships or career pathways programs. Shift power to create possibility for equity in career pathways, hiring, retention, and educational opportunities.
• Work with and shift power to Indigenous communities to protect, preserve and access culturally significant land; salmon, steelhead and lamprey habitats; and native plants.
• Include work with Black communities, Indigenous communities, and/or communities of color on anti-displacement and housing security
• Provide economic opportunities for communities of color and other marginalized communities in the construction of natural area improvements, restoration or community stewardship projects by working with COBID-certified firms and hiring and training a local workforce.

What is Metro?

Metro works with communities, businesses and residents in the Portland metropolitan area to chart a wise course for the future while protecting the things we love about this place.

Where is Metro?

Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The agency's boundary encompasses Portland, Oregon and 23 other cities – from the Columbia River in the north to the bend of the Willamette River near Wilsonville, and from the foothills of the Coast Range near Forest Grove to the banks of the Sandy River at Troutdale.

Nature in Neighborhoods Grants

Nature in Neighborhoods grants support community projects and programs across the region, from local park improvements to stream restoration to hands-on nature education for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Grant programs under Nature in Neighborhoods include:

• Nature education
• Restoration and community stewardship
• Capital
• Community choice

Grants are designed to support communities of color and other communities who have experienced barriers to accessing Metro grant funding in the past.

Capital Grants

Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants fund a wide variety of projects. The program provides three year grants to projects led by community organizations, park providers, local governments and other organizations. The grants are for publicly owned capital projects. It also must meet criteria listed in the 2019 bond, including advancing racial equality, preparing the region for climate change and conducting meaningful community engagement.

Project types

Projects eligible for the Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants fall into four major categories:

• Land Acquisition
  • Land acquisition projects can transform privately owned property into the next great neighborhood natural area and preserve special places in communities across the greater Portland area.
  • The Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants have protected local assets that aren’t covered by Metro’s regional efforts to buy natural areas.
  • As a tried-and-true conservation tool, land acquisition provides a straightforward way to make a difference.
  • Purchasing land can be the first step in a community’s mission to open a nature park, build trails or restore habitat.
• Urban transformations
  • A little creativity and determination can go a long way toward weaving nature into the most urban development and infrastructure projects.
  • Urban transformations bring nature to even the most urban areas.
  • Although these projects tend to have the biggest price tags, they also have some of the biggest benefits for their communities
• Restoration
  • Conservation groups and local governments have no shortage of restoration projects on their wish lists.
  • The challenge: finding funding to make them happen.
  • With a boost from Nature in Neighborhoods grants, restoration efforts are improving the health of floodplains and watershed basins across the region.
  • Although these projects improve habitat for fish, amphibians and other animals, many are also designed to improve the experience for the community.
• Neighborhood livability
  • Public land in neighborhoods can become a place for people to experience and enjoy nature.
  • Neighborhood natural areas give people a place to walk, reflect and connect with nature.
  • Nature in Neighborhoods grants are helping communities create and transform outdoor destinations close to homes and schools.
  • Unlike big regional natural areas, neighborhood projects typically don’t protect large blocks of threatened wildlife habitat.
  • But, by preserving nature down the street, they forge a connection between people and the natural world.

Who We Are

Based in Portland, Oregon and created in 2019 by Dr. Ron Naito, the Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation continues his legacy of healing by supporting nonprofit organizations that strengthen, protect, and transform our communities and our planet.

Our grants support organizations working all over the world to mitigate the climate crisis, reduce health disparities, and build communities that are socially equitable and environmentally sustainable. We also support Oregon-based arts and education initiatives, particularly those focused on under-resourced communities.

Our grants are trust-based. Because we respect the expertise of our nonprofit partners and understand that they know best how to spend their funds, all of our grants are unrestricted.

Current Funding Trends

• Under-represented areas:
  • If you work in these areas and are eligible within our funding priorities and restrictions, please consider applying.
    • Nonprofits that work internationally or domestically outside of Oregon, including regional and national organizations
    • Climate crisis mitigation, especially aggressive efforts to curtail or prevent new greenhouse gas emissions
    • International long-term health equity initiatives and health equity initiatives addressing aging and supporting elders
    • Systemic initiatives and advocacy/policy work in any of our funding priorities
• Over-represented areas:
  • We value these types of work and still seek applications from these categories, but applicants may find these categories slightly more competitive if current trends continue.
    • Arts initiatives
    • Oregon frontline nonprofits across all sectors
    • Frontline services, especially organizations supporting people with mental health or substance use needs and organizations supporting survivors of child abuse and domestic and sexual violence

Funding Area: Climate

We seek to fund initiatives that work aggressively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to prevent new emission sources now, both at the frontlines and through policy, markets, litigation, and legislation.

This includes (but isn’t limited to) organizations that:

• Support or lead upstream policy, advocacy, or other reform initiatives that deter new fossil fuel investments, accelerate decarbonization, and promote renewable energies, both domestically and internationally.
• Advance grassroots organizing by Indigenous or other frontline communities, or work to advance climate justice in systems or markets.
• Regranting organizations that can pool our resources with other funders’ and direct them to impactful, proven organizations.

Funding

We tend not to fund organizations with annual budgets over $20 million, although there are some exceptions. We often fund grassroots initiatives. We fund larger organizations ($10m+ budgets) only if they primarily are resource, advocacy, policy, movement-building; if they are regranting organizations; or if they work beyond the local/statewide level (regional, national, international). We also occasionally fund larger organizations working across multiple regions or countries to provide lasting frontline interventions.

We offer unrestricted grants, mostly ranging from $5,000-$40,000. We occasionally fund smaller and larger requests, and we are moving toward more multi-year grants. We try to keep a balance between organizations providing frontline services and organizations working to create and advocate for systemic solutions.

Our grants are unrestricted and can be used for general operating, program/project, capacity building, capital requests (for projects with budgets under $1m), endowment, seed funding, etc.

Who We Are

Based in Portland, Oregon and created in 2019 by Dr. Ron Naito, the Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation continues his legacy of healing by supporting nonprofit organizations that strengthen, protect, and transform our communities and our planet.

Our grants support organizations working all over the world to mitigate the climate crisis, reduce health disparities, and build communities that are socially equitable and environmentally sustainable. We also support Oregon-based arts and education initiatives, particularly those focused on under-resourced communities.

Our grants are trust-based. Because we respect the expertise of our nonprofit partners and understand that they know best how to spend their funds, all of our grants are unrestricted.

Current Funding Trends

• Under-represented areas:
  • If you work in these areas and are eligible within our funding priorities and restrictions, please consider applying.
    • Nonprofits that work internationally or domestically outside of Oregon, including regional and national organizations
    • Climate crisis mitigation, especially aggressive efforts to curtail or prevent new greenhouse gas emissions
    • International long-term health equity initiatives and health equity initiatives addressing aging and supporting elders
    • Systemic initiatives and advocacy/policy work in any of our funding priorities
• Over-represented areas:
  • We value these types of work and still seek applications from these categories, but applicants may find these categories slightly more competitive if current trends continue.
    • Arts initiatives
    • Oregon frontline nonprofits across all sectors
    • Frontline services, especially organizations supporting people with mental health or substance use needs and organizations supporting survivors of child abuse and domestic and sexual violence

Funding Area: Sustainable Communities

In Sustainable Communities, we seek to fund organizations that address pressing social issues and support equitable models of infrastructure so that communities can thrive socially, environmentally, and economically.

Sustainable Communities grants often intersect with our Climate and/or Health Equity funding areas, incorporating social justice advocacy, economic initiatives, climate adaptation, and other human rights and environmental justice initiatives that impact health outcomes, lead to healing, and increase communities’ capacity to thrive.

This includes (but isn’t limited to):

• Social justice, civil rights, and anti-hate initiatives that build power, sovereignty, community, and resources for people whose wellness and success are threatened by systemic prejudice or injustice.
• Triple-bottom-line initiatives that help historically-marginalized communities gain access to sustainable economic power and lasting health benefits.
• Environmental justice work that impacts the health and success of historically marginalized communities, and that help communities adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis.

All of these are united by healing — of prejudice and hate, of inequities, and of the many social, economic, and environmental factors that adversely impact people’s health and well-being.

Funding Areas

There is urgent need in our world for healing: healing our planet, healing our communities, and healing ourselves, in body, mind and spirit. Our grants focus on four key areas of healing. 

• Climate
• Health Equity
• Oregon Arts & Culture
• Sustainable Communities

Current Funding Trends

Under-represented areas:

• Nonprofits that work internationally or domestically outside of Oregon, including regional and national organizations
• Climate crisis mitigation, especially aggressive efforts to curtail or prevent new greenhouse gas emissions
• International long-term health equity initiatives
• Health equity initiatives addressing aging and supporting elders
• Systemic initiatives and advocacy/policy work in any of our funding priorities 
• If you work in these areas and are eligible within our funding priorities and restrictions, please consider applying.

Over-represented areas:

• Arts initiatives
• Oregon frontline nonprofits across all sectors
• Frontline services, especially organizations supporting people with mental health or substance use needs and organizations supporting survivors of child abuse and domestic and sexual violence

We value these types of work and still seek applications from these categories, but applicants may find these categories slightly more competitive if current trends continue.

Investing in the future of the cooperative system

The CHS Foundation supports cooperative education projects that develop and enhance understanding of the ag cooperative business model through education, professional development, and practical experience.

Program priorities and guidelines

The CHS Foundation will consider programs that:

• Educate the next generation about the agricultural cooperative business model
• Demonstrate a history of success and/or increase in growth or demand
• Incorporate technology and new, innovative approaches
• Target middle school, high school, college-age students and young producers
• Clearly identify strategies for engagement with key audiences and outline goals with measurable outcomes
• Use funding to support program-related costs
• Have a national or state level reach within the main CHS trade area (Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming)

About Us

Cambia Health Foundation is the corporate foundation of Cambia Health Solutions, which is dedicated to making health care more person-focused and economically sustainable. Founded in 2007, the foundation has made purposeful philanthropic investments of more than $131 million to improve healthcare experiences and outcomes for people and families.

We are currently working to advance whole person health by expanding access to behavioral health in underserved communities across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Utah. The term whole person health reflects our belief that health is personal, multidimensional, and interconnected.

RFP Strategy

This RFP will support strategies that advance the whole person health of older adult (55+) kinship/grand-family caregivers by strengthening social connections, expanding access to behavioral health services, and/or improving mental health and wellbeing. We believe there are many different approaches an organization may take to achieve this, and we look forward to considering proposals that are tailored to the specific needs and strengths of kinship/grand-families in your respective communities. 

Outcomes and Impacts

• Strong applications will clearly include the needs of older adult kinship/grand-family caregivers as part of
• their focus on the entire kinship family, and will have direct connection to one or more of the following:
• Increase social connection through age-friendly or intergenerational programs.
• Increase access to mental health services or supports through whole person health approaches.
• Reduce rates of anxiety, depression, or poor mental health.
• Reduce barriers to aging well, aging in place, or accessing health and social services.

Our Mission

In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value.

Basic Needs Grants

St. Charles Health System has been contributing to programs that benefit the communities it serves since its inception. St. Charles makes it a priority to take care of medically underserved and disadvantaged populations throughout Central Oregon by funding community programs and projects that will improve population health and improve the social, economic and environmental conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age in a sustainable, cost-effective manner.  

Background

We focus on protecting and restoring natural forests and freshwater habitats on and around the Mount Hood region. Our family’s roots in Hood River and Portland shape our vision for sustaining a healthy natural environment for future generations.

Protect And Restore Mount Hood In Oregon

A deep history and connection with the Mount Hood National Forest region drives our devotion to its freshwater and forest ecosystems. Our family homestead is in Parkdale, just minutes from the national forest and in constant view of the mountain, and it is a family tradition to trek to the top of Mount Hood at least once in a lifetime.

We fund creative environmental restoration and advocacy programs to protect and restore native ecosystems on Mount Hood and in neighboring communities.

Our Goal

We strive for resilient river and forest ecosystems in the Mount Hood region to produce cool, clean streams and vibrant older forests for the benefit of this and future generations.

Our Measurable Objectives

Forests

Prevent harvesting of old growth and double the amount of forestland with habitat protections

Fish

Stabilize and support the recovery process for fish populations

Water

Preserve cool and clean drinking water for local communities that also supports abundant fish and wildlife populations

Background

The Silver Family Foundation focuses on transformative youth development programs. We prioritize programs that provide in-depth, long-term investments and opportunities for underserved youth, ages 5-18. 

The Silver Family Foundation strives to support positive youth development by making grants to non-profits in Oregon, Washington and Idaho that work with at-risk youth. We focus on transformative youth development programs that provide in-depth, long-term investments and opportunities for underserved youth.

Focus Areas

We prioritize programs that:

• Mentor school-age youth through structured, ongoing relationships
• Provide academic intervention and support to help students achieve benchmark reading levels
• Inspire, support, and teach students to excel in school and beyond
• Support each child's academic needs along with their social and emotional health
• Prepare students for college and career through preparatory programs and retention efforts
• Focus on high school completion and post-secondary preparation

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

Vision

OWEB is a leader in the conservation of Oregon's natural resources and enjoys strong public support for its contributions to community-based conservation, watershed health, and local economies.

Mission Statement

To help protect and restore healthy watersheds and natural habitats that support thriving communities and strong economies.

Natural and Working Lands Program

House Bill 3409 was signed into law by the Governor on July 27th, 2023. The Bill established a Natural and Working Lands (NWL) fund to provide financial incentives and technical support to help Tribes, landowners, land managers, and environmental justice communities adopt practices that support natural climate solutions. Incentivizing natural climate solutions is part of Oregon’s comprehensive strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Distributing these funds builds on OWEB’s longstanding commitment to watershed health, while also allowing for greater emphasis on community co-benefits such as air quality improvements from urban reforestation to job creation in under-resourced rural areas.

Eligible Practices

Projects with one or more of the following natural climate solutions are eligible for funding.

• Blue Carbon
  • Tidal wetland conservation and restoration
• Rangelands
  • Prevent conversion of grasslands, shrublands, and savannas to juniper woodlands or invasive annual plant-dominated systems
  • Restore deep-rooted perennial grasses to areas impacted by invasive species
  • Restore functioning riparian areas
• Forest Lands
  • Afforestation/Reforestation
  • Improved forest management to reduce wildfire risk, increase overall age of forest, etc. (including prescribed or cultural burns)
  • Increase the proportion of harvested wood products used for durable building materials
• Agricultural Lands
  • Increase riparian buffer areas beyond the edge of the field
  • Stormwater runoff control
  • Improve nutrient management and reduce nitrogen application
  • Increase woody plant coverage
  • Encourage no-till and reduced-till residue management
  • Implement edge-of-field herbaceous (non-woody) conservation practices
  • Improve grazing and pasture-based management, including rotational grazing
  • Cover crops
  • Prescribed or cultural burns
• Urban Lands
  • Maintain and expand forest vegetation cover
  • Improve fertilizer use in urban and suburban lands to reduce excess nitrogen releases​​​​

Conservation Management Plan Grants

Conservation Management Plan grants to support the development of Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) on agricultural land through the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program. It will also fund payments-for-practice to provide per-acre payments for ecosystem services.

Maximum award is $200,000. (5% cash or in-kind match required from non-OWEB sources)

Who is Metro

The Metro Council consists of a president, elected regionwide, and six councilors who are elected by district every four years in nonpartisan races. The Metro Auditor, elected regionwide, is responsible for oversight of Metro's annual financial statements and for conducting performance audits. The council appoints a chief operating officer to carry out council policies and manage Metro operations. The chief operating officer oversees a diverse workforce of more than 1,600 employees including park rangers, economists, teachers, scientists, designers, planners, animal keepers, stagehands and cartographers. Hundreds of volunteers lend a hand at Metro's parks, cemeteries, natural areas, offices and visitor venues.

Community Enhancement Grants: Sherwood

Across the Portland metropolitan area, Metro community enhancement grants give a boost to neighborhoods affected by garbage transfer facilities.

Since 1986, Metro has invested more than $6 million in communities across the Portland metropolitan area. Local jurisdictions and community partners help Metro to administer the grant funds in and around Forest Grove, Gresham, Portland, Oregon City, Sherwood, Troutdale and Wilsonville. These funds come from fees collected at local waste transfer stations that are reinvested back into surrounding communities.

Program Goals

The program supports projects that advance one or more of the following goals:

• Provide programs, training or services that benefit youth, seniors, low income persons, people of color, veterans or other marginalized and underserved populations
• Increase reuse, recycling and waste prevention opportunities; reduce toxicity of waste
• Improve the environmental quality of the area
• Preserve or enhance wildlife and natural areas within the target area
• Improve or increase recreation opportunities for residents in the target area
• Rehabilitate and upgrade property owned or operated by non-profits
• Improve the safety, appearance or cleanliness of neighborhoods.

Project examples

Successful grant projects include:

• Developing environmental education and job training opportunities for underserved youth
• Habitat restoration in parks and natural areas; increased programming to improve access
• Property improvements at community centers and social service hubs
• Producing community events such as festivals, cultural events and summer concert programs
• Safety, cleanup and beautification projects around communities and main street boulevards
• Supporting farmers markets and increasing access to healthy food for underserved communities.

Target areas and grant cycles

Each of the eight enhancement grant programs award funds in a different geographical target area. Grant review committees of local elected officials and residents promote, solicit, evaluate and select funded projects each cycle. 

Sherwood

The Sherwood Community Enhancement Committee awards about $90,000 each spring to projects that serve city residents. The grant program is funded by community enhancement fees collected at Pride Recycling Company.

The Community Enhancement Program (CEP) is an exciting opportunity for citizens to participate in making Sherwood a place where families and businesses thrive.

This program derives its funding from a partnership between Sherwood and Metro and is generated by a $1.00 per ton surcharge collected at the Pride Recycling Company transfer station located at 13980 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road, in Sherwood, Oregon.

The grant program is open to non-profit groups, organizations, and City advisory committees. We encourage you to let us know your ideas for enhancing the community.

Whether you have big ideas, small ideas, or ideas somewhere in-between, you can be sure they will be considered.

Nominate a Nonprofit

The People Helping People Awards are a celebration of exceptional work within the communities we serve and provide us the opportunity to honor members and nonprofits that drive positive change through service to others.

Each year, BECU members can nominate local nonprofits for a People Helping People Award of up to $50,000 in grant funds.

So look around you for heroes who deserve recognition, and nominate a nonprofit for a BECU People Helping People Award today.

Giving Areas and Subcategories

Nonprofit work must be focused in any one of the following seven giving areas:

• Advancing education (Pre-K through college): Access to education, mentoring, educational materials and programming, classroom, school and PTSA funding for educational programs/materials/experiences.
• Arts and culture: Equitable access to art experiences, underrepresented art and cultural organizations, cultural programs.
• Creating economic opportunity: Living-wage jobs, small and startup businesses, job quality for low-wage workers.
• Preserving health and promoting wellness: Access to healthcare, illness prevention/cure, mental health, patient support, disabilities, veteran advocacy.
• Preserving or restoring the environment: Conservation, stewardship, sustainability.
• Providing for basic human needs: Affordable housing, homelessness, senior advocacy, infant and child advocacy, food/diaper/clothing banks.
• Strengthening local communities: Neighborhoods, public safety, search and rescue, outdoor spaces, rotary/chamber.

Our Current Priorities

For those requesting support for youth programs, the Foundation will continue to focus on rural BIPOC organizations and allowing organizations to use awarded funds for general operating support.

Recognizing the critical role of BIPOC organizations, the Charlotte Martin Foundation continues to make it a priority to partner with organizations doing progressive work specifically in the areas of youth education and climate change, with a special emphasis on serving communities of color. Three years ago, we created a fellowship designed around researching BIPOC led organizations within our 5-state region that align with our priorities. We recognize that private funding is inequitably given to white-led organizations and we want to show our commitment to redistributing resources to non-dominant, BIPOC organizations.

Increasing Opportunities for BIPOC:

Increasing racial equity and diversity for youth ages 6-18.

BIPOC led nonprofit organizations with diverse leadership and staff are the focus of our grant-making. Organizations based in rural communities are also a priority for our foundation.

Programs that create opportunities in areas of education, cultural expression and athletics. Including but not limited to:

• Increase access to and the creation of diverse cultural experiences.
• Improve school-based and out-of-school learning opportunities in areas such as science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) and other areas.
• Increase early college awareness and access to post-secondary education.
• Increase access to sports and diversify sports programs.

Guidelines for Youth Programs

Our program funding for youth ages 6-18 falls into three areas: Athletics, Culture and Education. Grants for youth programs must fall within one of these three program areas.

Youth Athletics

Athletics include a wide range of individual and team sports, with an emphasis on the value of sports for lifelong participation. School-sponsored intramural and after school sports programs have been greatly reduced, and middle-school aged youth have been most affected. After school athletics can be the incentive that gets kids involved in programs that also have educational and cultural components. Demand is increasing for athletics programs and facilities in rural areas and inner cities. More girls are getting involved in sports, requiring additional programs and space. Coaches are key to a positive experience for young people, and good coaching requires training.

Youth Culture

Culture includes art, music, dance, literature, theater, ethnic and regional heritage. Positive experiences in culture are essential in educating the whole person and should be an integral part of the lives of youth. Young people can use cultural experiences as creative resources to build self-esteem, promote personal growth, and preserve traditions. Arts and culture programs in the schools are being reduced or eliminated, and many communities, both urban and rural, have limited access to cultural resources.

Youth Education

All young people should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Education, in and out of school, happens best when youth direct their learning and engage in compelling problem-solving and critical thinking. Educators need support to play a vital role in assisting youth to investigate their passions and explore new interests. Rural schools often have less access to resources and curricula than urban schools. Both public and private schools need support.

Education Focus

The Foundation intends to award grants for paid internships at nonprofits for

• students enrolled in community college, four year college undergraduate and/or college graduate school or
• "young professionals" defined as a person who graduated from community college, four-year college undergraduate, or college graduate school within the last two years.

Grants distributed in calendar year 2025 may be utilized for calendar year 2026 internships as needed. These internships must provide an above minimum wage stipend. The internship experience should include enrichment opportunities which should include skill building, visibility into nonprofit management, peer networking, professional seminars, capstone project/report, etc.

Priority will be given to internships that recruit using a DEI lens. Average size grants in this area of focus are $8,000-$12,000 per internship. You are welcome to request funding for more than one internship in an application if you have previously received funding from the Foundation.

Please note that grant recipients who received awards from us in this focus area each year for the last 3 consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024) are not eligible for a grant in 2025. You will be eligible to reapply in 2026.​

Health & Human Services Focus (No new applications are being accepted in 2025. You are welcome to introduce yourself )

The Foundation is committed to supporting elders living in our communities by encouraging self-sufficiency and aging in place. We will be awarding two-year $20,000 grants (payouts of 2024: $10,000; 2025: $10,000) to organizations. We fund both projects and general operating support.

Funding is focused on housing specifically around aging in place:

• Home modifications for accessibility and home maintenance;
• Assistance with household tasks;
• Affordable permanent housing;
• Collaborative partnerships that advocate for age-friendly communities.

Youth Development Division (YDD) - Job and Work Readiness (JWR) Request for Application (RFA) (OR)

The State of Oregon, acting by and through its Department of Education, (“Agency”), on behalf of Youth Development Division (“YDD”) is issuing this Request for Grant Applications (“RFA”) known as the Job and Work Readiness Grant (“JWR”), for the purpose of delivering job and work readiness programming and services to youth ages 16-24 who are out-of-school, unemployed/underemployed, reengaged, and/or have demonstrated barriers to education and workforce access, in order to increase training and support for them to have foundational skills and educational completion that position and prepare them for living-wage career opportunities and self-sufficiency.

Funding

Grants awarded to eligible entities will range from $100,000 - $300,000. Each Applicant is limited to $600,000 in total Youth Grants awards across the Community Investment, Job and Work Readiness, and Reengagement Opportunity Grants for the biennium.

Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant Program

Context

OCF understands the important role that entrepreneurs play in shaping our economic and community vitality in Oregon. For over a decade, OCF has provided grants to nonprofit organizations that support entrepreneurs across the state.

Entrepreneurs have big ideas and creative ways to solve problems. Still, they often need help developing their business plans, go-to-market strategies, recruiting talented teams or board members, and raising money. We know entrepreneurs who are women, people of color, or live in under-resourced rural communities struggle more than others to grow and scale their companies.

Goals

The Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant provides an open, responsive grantmaking opportunity that offers organizations flexible funding, with prioritized support for those organizations that serve entrepreneurs who are women, people of color, living in under-resourced rural communities, or working in under-resourced sectors such as consumer products. Funding is not available for individuals; OCF makes grants to eligible organizations only.

Guiding Principles

• We value Oregon’s diverse regions and populations, and seek to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion through our funding.
• We are committed to funding across Oregon with grant dollars reaching our remote, rural, suburban, and urban communities across every region of our state.
• We prioritize investments that creatively address needs and position entrepreneurs to thrive in Oregon.
• We prioritize investments demonstrating strong community support, solid planning, and wise stewardship.

Funding Priorities

We know that funding needs will far exceed our limited grant dollars. Priority will be given to organizations with either a demonstrated track record of success working with diverse entrepreneurs or a promising approach and plan to serve entrepreneurs in a new way. Both experienced and new organizations are encouraged to apply.

Funding

OCF anticipates awarding $750,000. We aim to fund a mix of proposals in communities across Oregon and anticipate funding organizations serving diverse entrepreneurs.

All grants will be one year (12 months) in duration. Applicants may apply for programmatic support or project specific funding. Staffing expenses are allowed. Applicants should apply for the amount they need and describe why they need that amount, but most grants will not exceed $25,000.

The PGE Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Portland General Electric. Founded in 1997, the foundation was created through an endowment with the purpose of improving the quality of life for all Oregonians.

PGE Foundation welcomes applications from eligible nonprofits through three focus-specific grant cycles: Education, Creative Expression and Career Pathways. While the majority of grants support projects and programs that align with our funding priorities, we also award grants for operating expenses and new and existing capital construction projects.

Career Pathways

We are committed to helping individuals and communities overcome common barriers to economic mobility and generational wealth-building by increasing avenues to family wage jobs, entrepreneurship and small business ownership.

If you’re interested in submitting a proposal for a career-oriented program, consider:

• Programs that facilitate access to in-demand, family-wage jobs in the trades, sciences and green sectors
• Programs for adults focused on skill development
• Wrap-around services offering mentorship, transportation and other resources that impact workforce participation
• Proposals that offer entrepreneurship and business-ownership support for minority- and woman-owned small businesses

GO Grants

Collins is a responsive grantmaker. We award and fund arts and culture, child welfare and development, education, environmental protection, health equity, and a broad range of efforts to enhance the quality of life in Oregon’s communities.

A central priority for the Foundation is to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion through our grantmaking. We support organizations at various stages in their pursuit of equity. Many successful applicants will have made efforts to learn about the root causes of social inequities, are actively thinking about how racial equity informs their work and operations, or have implemented policies and practices to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

We provide general operations grants.

Advancing Disability Justice Grants

Disability Justice

Disability Justice is a movement framework that centers queer and transgender disabled people of color. It has ten principles: intersectionality, leadership of those most impacted, anti-capitalist politic, cross-movement solidarity, recognizing wholeness, sustainability, commitment to cross-disability solidarity, interdependence, collective access and collective liberation. 

Disability Equity at NWHF

Too often racism, ableism, and the places we call home prevent us from living the life we deserve.

At Northwest Health Foundation, we are committed to ending this reality. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life, however they define health. We also believe that, by advancing equity, we can improve the social, political and body/mind health of our whole region. Learn more about NWHF’s commitment to equity and our lens on disability equity.

In 2017, Northwest Health Foundation and the Collins Foundation convened the Disability Justice Leaders Collaborative (DJLC). The DJLC brought 16 disabled BIPOC together to build relationships, learn about the disability justice framework, and discuss how the voices and experiences of people with disabilities are (or aren’t) represented by decisionmakers in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Members of the DJLC worked together to create a set of recommendations for supporting disability justice and addressing barriers faced by disabled leaders of color: Recommendations for Advancing Disability Justice in Oregon and SW Washington. 

These recommendations led us to launch our Advancing Disability Justice program with the Collins Foundation, which includes disability justice workshops for BIPOC-led and racial justice organizations, coaching, and Advancing Disability Justice Grants. During the 2021 grant cycle, six grants were awarded totaling $46,600.

Funding

The Advancing Disability Justice Grants will support disabled BIPOC leaders and groups in our region to build their capacity for community building and civic engagement. This can include, but is not limited to, leadership development, organizational or group capacity building around disability justice, cultural programming, movement building work, community organizing and/or policy advocacy. Funds can be used for staff time, stipends, food, gatherings, accommodations, travel, childcare, etc.

NWHF will provide one-time project grants for up to $5,000 or up to $10,000. Applicants will be asked to state their requested amount. We welcome applications with requests below $5,000 or $10,000. Grants can be for new or existing projects and can support short-term, long-term or one-time projects.

• Grants up to $5,000 could be a good match for new or shorter term projects, such as hosting a one-time event or gathering for community members, planning for a larger project, a project for a targeted geographic area, or a short-term need. There are four grants at $5,000 to award for this cycle.
• Grants up to $10,000 could be a good match for longer term or larger scale projects, maybe to implement or accelerate a plan, or to reach out to more communities or regions. Examples could include a multi-day conference or training for larger community or statewide groups, or implementing disability justice goals for a program or organization. There are two grants at $10,000 to award for this cycle. 

Accessibility Costs 

NWHF has set aside additional funds to support accessibility costs above and beyond your grant award. While these additional funds are limited, we hope to allocate these funds to the awarded projects based on the information included in your application and budget. 

For example, this might include:

• live captioning for an event,
• microphone and speakers,
• an accessible meeting space, and so on.

Funding Criteria and Decision Making  

Projects should be in alignment with the following priorities:

• Projects should be led by and focus on disabled, neurodivergent and d/Deaf Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC).
• Projects should focus on building capacity or work related to community building, civic engagement, community organizing, cultural work, leadership development, movement building or policy advocacy by disabled BIPOC.
  • Building capacity can mean learning, adapting and strengthening the skills, knowledge and tools of people and groups in order to create and achieve their goals. This might include (but not be limited to) training, leadership development, and building alliances across communities.
  • Civic engagement projects are those that work toward making a difference in the civic life of one’s community and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. Civic engagement improves the quality of life in a community through both political and non-political processes.
• Project values should align with the Disability Justice Principles. From Sins Invalid: longer descriptions and short descriptions.

What is Metro?

Metro works with communities, businesses and residents in the Portland metropolitan area to chart a wise course for the future while protecting the things we love about this place.

Where is Metro?

Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The agency's boundary encompasses Portland, Oregon and 23 other cities – from the Columbia River in the north to the bend of the Willamette River near Wilsonville, and from the foothills of the Coast Range near Forest Grove to the banks of the Sandy River at Troutdale.

Nature in Neighborhoods Grants

Nature in Neighborhoods grants support community projects and programs across the region, from local park improvements to stream restoration to hands-on nature education for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Grant programs under Nature in Neighborhoods include:

• Nature education
• Restoration and community stewardship
• Capital
• Community choice

Grants are designed to support communities of color and other communities who have experienced barriers to accessing Metro grant funding in the past.

Nature Education Grants

Metro's Nature in Neighborhoods community grants provide opportunities to connect people with nature across greater Portland. The nature education grants are offered every two years.

Purpose of Grants

Nature education and outdoor experiences grants support and create partnerships in local communities that improve water quality, restore fish and wildlife habitat and connect people with nature. These grants prioritize programs that advance racial equity, diversity and inclusion, make communities more resilient to climate change and include greater community engagement.

Potential Projects

Funding is available for projects that promote cultural, environmental and economic equity. As examples, projects could:

• build relationships and partnerships that promote nature education and outdoor experiences by and for people of color
• increase the number of visitors and staff at parks and natural areas who represent diverse racial, ethnic and cultural groups and other historically and continually marginalized groups
• develop the capacity of organizations that serve people of color to lead nature education and cultural programs in parks and natural areas
• support outdoor nature programs that include family and community collaboration and culturally specific organizations that center people of color, specifically support programs that are led by and for these communities
• integrate outdoor nature education with school-based and science, technology, engineering and math curriculum
• support community engagement and nature education programs that include hands-on restoration activities to improve fish and wildlife habitat in local communities
• support mentorship, youth corps and job skill development or otherwise prepare participants for continuing careers or higher education in natural resources, nature education or other nature-related science, technology, engineering or math fields.

Multnomah County Cultural Coalition (MCCC)

The Multnomah County Cultural Coalition (MCCC) is the volunteer-led, re-granting board of the Oregon Cultural Trust in Multnomah County. Monies donated to the Cultural Trust come back to Multnomah County and are distributed as grants to cultural nonprofits per the Multnomah County Cultural Plan.

Mission Statement

Multnomah County Cultural Coalition (MCCC) supports communities and organizations through grantmaking and advocacy that enrich and improve access to arts and culture throughout the county.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The MCCC is committed to making our resources available to every member of Multnomah County without regard to national origin, race, ethnicity, color, age, marital or familial status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, educational background, disability, religion, veteran status, political opinion, physical appearance, or source of income. We expect our grantees to uphold this policy in their work.

Community Cultural Participation Grant Program (CCP)

MCCC will focus grantmaking on creative communities and projects that can most benefit from MCCC funding. We value investments in projects, artists, and organizations that prioritize communities that have historically been neglected by or excluded from institutional funding for arts and culture. Such communities may include but are not limited to Black and Indigenous people, communities of color and otherwise racialized communities, LGBTQIA2S+, immigrants and refugees, people living with disabilities, people living with low incomes, people who are currently or formerly incarcerated, people experiencing houselessness, those living in rural communities, and others. MCCC considers annual budget size when making awards and generally prioritizes supporting smaller organizations/groups.