Best Portland Grants for Nonprofits in Oregon

The Stem Cell Grants: Travel Award supports students, postdocs, and faculty attending scientific conferences and workshops related to stem cell research. Up to $1,200 is available for each application, with a maximum of two applications per PI lab each calendar year. Priority is given to those presenting at stem cell meetings and workshops. All applications must be submitted at least one week before travel to ensure funding consideration.

The Kyndryl Foundation Grant aims to empower communities through investments in education, technology, and workforce development. With a focus on cybersecurity and AI skills for underrepresented learners, the foundation fosters balanced partnerships and innovation. It prioritizes transparency and integrity, ensuring grants support long-term impact. This initiative aligns with Kyndryl's mission to create a sustainable future by enhancing access to opportunities and resources for all, thereby promoting diversity and inclusivity in economic growth.

The Journalism & Media Grant aims to promote inclusive narratives and accurate media that engage communities in democratic processes. It supports U.S.-based nonprofit organizations focused on professional reporting, multimedia storytelling, and civic media. The grant addresses barriers to media participation and fosters innovation in journalism, providing essential infrastructure for a diverse media landscape. While unsolicited proposals are not accepted, organizations can share ideas through a Letter of Inquiry (LOI).

The American Journalism Project is dedicated to enhancing local news organizations by investing in their business capacities and providing personalized coaching. They prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging inquiries from organizations serving underrepresented communities. Their approach offers tailored support based on grantees' strategic challenges, fostering sustainable growth in revenue and programming. They seek grantees with strong public-service missions, independent 501(c)(3) status, and a commitment to transparency and accountability in their operations.

The Indigo Oak Fund's Education Grant Program supports educational initiatives in Colorado and the Bay Area, focusing on both traditional schools and alternative learning experiences. This program aims to empower individuals through education, fostering personal growth and lifelong learning. By funding resources for teachers and career advancement for adults, the Fund seeks to create equal opportunities, enhance community engagement, and contribute to a more equitable society.

The Indigo Oak Fund is a Colorado-based foundation dedicated to empowering individuals through support for education, the arts, and social justice. Focused on fostering lifelong learning and creative expression, the Fund aids various programs that enhance community engagement. It supports both youth and adult initiatives, including classes and community events in diverse artistic disciplines. By prioritizing equal opportunity and personal potential, the Fund strives to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and the community.

The Indigo Oak Fund, a Colorado-based private foundation, focuses on empowering women and children through various initiatives. By funding organizations that address issues such as domestic abuse, food insecurity, and gender equity, the Fund aims to improve lives and foster lifelong learning. Their mission emphasizes recognizing individual potential and ensuring equal opportunity for all, making a significant impact in communities across Colorado and the Bay Area.

The Indigo Oak Fund, based in Colorado, is dedicated to enhancing education, the arts, and social justice, particularly through its Equal Justice Under the Law Grant Program. This initiative supports organizations that promote fairness in the justice system, rehabilitation, and civic engagement. By funding programs focused on personal empowerment and equal opportunities, the fund aims to foster lifelong learning and improve lives, particularly for women and children in need.

Restoration Grants

Restoration grants are for watershed projects that protect or restore watershed functions.

Eligible Restoration Projects by Habitat and Activity

The list of eligible project types below is not an exhaustive list.

• Instream Habitat
  • Improving fish passage
  • Enhancing channel complexity to improve habitat and function​
  • Reconnecting historic side channels and floodplain
  • Protecting or increasing flow
  • Improving water quality
  • ​Restoring proper functioning condition
• Riparian Habitat
  • Enhancing riparian vegetation communities
  • Treating invasive weed species
  • Reconnecting the floodplain
  • Moving roads out of riparian zones
  • Exclusion fencing
  • ​Improved livestock management
• Upland Habitat
  • Vegetation management
    • Prairie restoration, juniper removal, oak enhancement, aspen protection, mahogany enhancement, and forest health
    • Invasive plant and weed species control
  • ​Rangeland improvements that benefit native grassland habitat
  • Road closures or drainage improvements
• Wetland or Estuarine Habitat
  • Restoring tidal wetlands by channel creation or enhancement
  • Improving fish passage by removing or upgrading tide gates and culverts
  • Removing constrictive dikes, levees, and roads and improve hydrology
  • Enhancing or establishing wetland plant communities
  • Excluding livestock access for habitat protection
  • Treating invasive weeds

Engagement Grants aim to facilitate projects that foster communication and engagement with landowners and the community regarding restoration, acquisition, or resource assessment initiatives. These projects must demonstrate a clear connection to specific geographic areas and address ecosystem goals, ensuring measurable outcomes. Education projects are excluded, as eligibility focuses on activities directly linked to habitat protection and restoration, striving to enhance awareness and skills in watershed management.

The Organization Collaboration Grant Program, offered by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), aims to foster strategic collaborations that enhance local organizations' sustainability and ecological outcomes. Eligible applicants include groups that support these efforts, especially those with a watershed council, soil and water conservation district, or land trust. Grants can go up to $75,000, enabling organizations to evaluate structures or pursue mergers to improve service delivery and community engagement.

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants Program annually provides grants of up to $1 million to coastal and Great Lakes states, as well as U.S. territories to protect, restore and enhance coastal wetland ecosystems and associated uplands. The Program is funded by revenues collected from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors and sonar, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft, a portion of the gasoline tax attributable to motorboats and small engines, and interest on the fund, under the authority of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950.

Eligible projects include the acquisition of real property interest in coastal lands or waters and the restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems.

OWEB Coastal Wetlands Grants

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program (NCWCGP) was established to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal states through competitive matching grants to state agencies. The primary goal of the NCWCGP is the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems. Only legislatively approved state agencies may submit applications to the NCWCGP. Since 2013, OWEB has been an approved agency. OWEB serves as the official grantee of the federal award and makes the federal funds available to local conservation and restoration partners through sub-grants. All sub-grants are subject to the Rules and guidelines of OWEB’s grant programs.

Eligible Projects

All projects must ensure long-term conservation.

Eligible projects under the NCWCGP include:

• Acquisition of a real property interest (permanent conservation easement or fee title) in coastal lands or coastal wetlands ecosystems from willing sellers, and/or
• Restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems.

Restoration Grants

OWEB issues a solicitation for Coastal Wetlands Restoration Grant applications in the spring of each year.

The Forest Collaboratives Grant Program, established by the Oregon Legislature in 2013, aims to enhance restoration efforts on federal forests in Oregon. By providing funding through a competitive process, it supports collaborative groups in developing and implementing restoration projects that focus on vegetation management on USFS- and BLM-managed lands. The program seeks to increase the complexity and acreage of these projects while improving the capacity of local collaboratives to achieve their goals.

The Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MSPRF) aim to support emerging leaders in mathematics and statistics. These fellowships enhance participants' research environments, ensuring significant scientific development. Awardees can choose between a Research Fellowship or a Research Instructorship, with funding available for research across various mathematical and statistical disciplines. Proposals are submitted directly to the NSF, and fellows must affiliate with eligible institutions or organizations.

The Mathematical Sciences Research Institutes, supported by the National Science Foundation, serve as critical national resources aimed at advancing research in mathematics and statistics. These institutes facilitate the discovery and dissemination of knowledge while enhancing connections with related fields. Their activities attract top mathematical minds to tackle pressing problems and engage a diverse array of U.S.-based researchers, ultimately bolstering the impact of mathematical sciences across various disciplines.

The Founders Project Fulfillment Grant, offered by the Children's Theatre Foundation of America (CTFA), is dedicated to supporting 501(c)(3) IRS-certified theatres with a strong commitment to artistic excellence for young audiences. Eligible organizations must have a minimum operating budget of $1,000,000 and a proven track record of diversity in leadership, making this grant a vital resource for fostering inclusive theatre experiences for children and families.

The Ash Grove Charitable Foundation Grant supports public charities with 501(c)(3) status, focusing on capital projects that enhance community life in states where Ash Grove operates. With a commitment to environmental sustainability, education, and human services, the Foundation prioritizes funding for renovation and construction projects. Grants typically reach up to $25,000, aiming to foster better living standards and support local initiatives that are vital for community growth and resilience.

Bell's Brewery Small Grassroots Grants support projects focusing on water stewardship across the Great Lakes watershed. With grant amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000, eligible organizations can apply for funding to improve ecosystem health, enhance public health through better water resource management, and promote resilience against climate-related water risks. This initiative highlights Bell's commitment to environmental stewardship and community support in all 50 states and DC.

The Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research (PACER) program is a 20-year Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) by the US Air Force aimed at advancing innovative aerospace technologies. This initiative encourages white papers and proposals for research and development to enhance technology readiness levels. It is designed to provide the warfighter with a decisive advantage through transformative technology solutions. Multiple awards are anticipated, allowing for a range of project durations and funding values.

The Wild Animal Initiative offers Seed Grants to support innovative projects in wild animal welfare research. These grants aim to facilitate early-career researchers and established scientists in testing new techniques and approaches that incorporate welfare assessments into ecological studies. The program emphasizes cost-effective solutions, focusing on improving the welfare of wild animals. Successful proposals will explore diverse themes such as wild fish welfare and near-term welfare interventions to address urgent animal welfare challenges.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks proposals for Arctic research to enhance understanding of the rapidly changing Arctic environment and its social systems. This initiative encourages innovative research that connects the Arctic region with lower latitudes, aiming to improve projections of future changes. Collaborations with federal and international partners are encouraged for co-reviewing proposals. Proposals that extend beyond the Arctic must clearly articulate their relevance to Arctic knowledge advancement.

The Leonard Litz Foundation supports LGBTQ+ organizations through grants that promote health, wellness, crisis intervention, racial justice, advocacy, and social assistance. Priority is given to organizations in the northeast U.S. and those serving communities of color and transgender individuals. Applications that clearly link funding requests to specific needs will receive stronger consideration. The foundation aims to foster a supportive environment for the LGBTQ+ community to thrive.

The Leonard-Litz Foundation's LGBTQ+ Advocacy Fund Grant aims to empower LGBTQ+ individuals by funding organizations that advocate for their rights and well-being. With a focus on health, wellness, and racial justice, the fund supports projects that require significant investment for impactful change. Prioritizing partnerships that serve vulnerable communities, including people of color and transgender individuals, this grant fosters equality and addresses systemic inequalities faced by LGBTQ+ people, especially in the northeast U.S.

The We Raise Foundation's Emerging Leader Grant supports individuals aged 20-35 at Christian organizations developing innovative programs addressing poverty, violence, and inequality. With a total of $15,000 over two years, the grant allocates $10,000 for program support and $5,000 for leadership development, including coaching and conferences. This initiative aims to foster impactful leaders who inspire, communicate effectively, and engage deeply with their communities, ultimately creating lasting change.

The Middle School Music Grant, offered by the Peter R Marsh Foundation, aims to enrich the musical education of public middle school music teachers across the U.S. By facilitating performances at senior facilities, the grant fosters emotional connections between students and seniors, while providing essential classroom equipment. Funds cover music supplies, instruments, and transportation, ensuring students have the resources to thrive musically and socially. This initiative not only enhances music education but also promotes community engagement and empathy.

The Just Tech Fellowship, supported by the Social Science Research Council, aims to empower diverse researchers and practitioners to address injustices arising from new technologies. With a two-year award of $100,000 annually, this fellowship fosters collaboration and community engagement, promoting equitable tech futures. It focuses on the intersection of technology and social justice, encouraging insights from historically marginalized groups to inform structural change and create a more just society.

The Donald W. F. Ching Memorial Scholarship Fund honors Donald Ching, a dedicated Hawaiian Airlines employee. This scholarship is aimed at students in Hawaii who demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Preference is given to first-generation college students and those with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in Aviation at an accredited institution in the U.S. The fund supports educational advancement for future aviation professionals.