North Portland enhancement grant program
Grants › Community enhancement grants › North Portland enhancement grant program
Do you have an idea to help make your community greener, cleaner, safer or healthier? Metro has grants to help fund neighborhood improvement projects in North Portland.
coming soon
2012-13 slate of grant awards for North Portland
Watch this page in early July for a list of projects and programs in North Portland approved for funds. Find out what caught selection committee members' eyes and why.
Grants that protect the nature of our region
The North Portland enhancement grant program was established in 1985 by an act of the Oregon Legislature, which created a mitigation fund to compensate the community affected by the now-closed St. Johns Landfill. Funds were generated from a 50-cent surcharge imposed on each ton of garbage disposed of at the landfill. Today, interest generated on the fund supports the grant program. Projects must directly benefit residents or neighborhoods around the landfill, including Arbor Lodge, Cathedral Park, Kenton, Overlook, Portsmouth, St. Johns and University Park.
Funding cycle
The funding cycle for Metro's North Portland enhancement grant program is from July through June. Typically, an announcement about the availability of funds is made in March. Pre- applications are due in late April. Successful pre-applicants will be invited to submit a final grant application due at the end of May. Awards are announced in June. Funds for selected projects are available in July. To be added to the mailing list for future notification, call Metro at 503-797-1506 or email karen.blauer@oregonmetro.gov.
Who can apply?
Any individual or any organization may submit proposals for funds, including but not limited to neighborhood associations, non-profits and charitable organizations. Applicants should note that liability insurance coverage may be required and that all grant awards are conditional upon review and approval of Metro's risk manager. Successful applicants will be required to enter into a professional services agreement, which outlines the responsibilities of both parties.
About the committee
Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder, District 5, chairs the seven-member committee made up of people who live in and represent neighborhoods in North Portland target area. The North Portland Enhancement Committee solicits and reviews grant applications, selects projects to fund and evaluates outcomes of funding choices.
Grant awards
Metro's North Portland enhancement grant program has invested more than $2.2 million in 460 projects to date. Projects range from distributing food to the hungry and nutrition education projects, health care clinics and screenings, a tool-lending library for low- to moderate-income residents to free concerts in Cathedral Park, dance classes for children at a local community center and more.