Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants

Grants › Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants

Metro is seeking applications for projects that re-green and re-nature neighborhoods.

girl at a work party

Across the Portland metropolitan area, communities are finding innovative ways to help nature thrive.

Salmon habitat is being restored along Johnson Creek. An eco-friendly light rail station is taking shape in Oak Grove, and a degraded alley is being reinvented as a green parkway in Cornelius. Trees are springing up in the unlikeliest of places, such as Interstate 205.

These projects have one important thing in common: support from Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods capital grants.

Metro has awarded $6.6 million to 23 projects, using funds from the voter-approved 2006 natural areas bond measure. Successful projects get the community involved, foster diverse partnerships and innovate. They lead to bigger social and economic benefits, from jobs and economic development to livable neighborhoods and clean air.

project types

While the grants fund only capital investments, a wide variety of projects can fit the bill.

Get the scoop on urban transformations
Find out about neighborhood livability projects
Learn how restoration is changing the landscape
See how land acquisition protects sensitive habitat

Is your project next?

Neighborhoods and community groups, nonprofit organizations, schools, cities, counties and public park providers are invited to apply.

Download the application handbook

Project eligibility

Projects must either purchase land or make improvements to public property that result in a capital asset with a life of at least 20 years and a total value of at least $50,000. See the handbook for more information.

Match criteria

The applicant must match grant funds with outside funding or in-kind services equivalent to twice the grant request.

Begin the application process with a letter of inquiry

A letter of inquiry is an essential first step in the application process. A clearly written letter will help Metro staff understand how well a proposed project matches the grant program’s mission. Letters of interest are accepted by staff at any time. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Metro staff as early as possible to discuss their project ideas and get feedback on the project's readiness. See program handbook for instructions. Download a cover sheet

Completing the application process

Metro staff will evaluate letters of inquiry and invite full applications if key criteria, eligibility requirements and the overall intent of the program are met. The Metro Council's grant review committee will evaluate full applications at least once yearly.

How will applications be evaluated?

Metro staff will screen full applications, conduct site visits and present the proposals to the grant review committee. The committee will make award recommendations to the Metro Council for those applications that meet the current deadline. The Metro Council makes all final grant awards. Learn more about the review committee

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