New COVID-19 relief funding requests
Metro Council's COVID-19 Community Support Fund aims to support non-profit community organizations (501c3 status) providing direct public health, economic, housing, food security and educational services. Funding requests can be made between $1,000 to $2,500. The application period for the first funding cycle has completed. Awards will be announced mid-November. The next funding cycle is set to begin in early January 2021.
Funds are used to support community programs, activities, events and projects that benefit the public, engage a diversity of residents and businesses, address inequities that impact our communities, and inspire inclusive and innovative solutions to the challenges of making the Portland area a great place for everyone.
Who is eligible?
Nonprofit organizations can request a sponsorship. In recent years, Metro has supported educational institutions, local governments and special districts, business associations and culturally-specific community-based organizations. Metro sponsorship funds cannot be used to support political committees or campaigns, lobbying or activities that promote a religious viewpoint.
Metro receives more sponsorship requests than can be fulfilled and prioritizes sponsorship requests based on a connection with Metro’s mission, primary work programs and key projects as well as those requests that are aligned with the six desired outcomes for the region.
In order to spread limited sponsorship dollars across many deserving organizations, Metro tries to sponsor organizations only once per fiscal year (July to June) and to keep average sponsorship awards in the range of $500-$1500. If you’d like to request more than that amount, please provide information about why a larger amount is being requested and the value of that request to your organization and to Metro.
What types of activities does Metro sponsor?
COVID-19 community support fund
In response to the health pandemic and the negative impact on the community, Metro Council has established a fund to support non-profit community organizations with 501c3 status who are providing direct service that meets the following council funding priorities:
- Food stability for the most vulnerable
- Housing stability and support (rent assistance, utility assistance)
- Homeless services
- Employment counseling and aid
- Small business economic recovery support
- Educational support for young students.
Between two to three funding cycles will be available throughout the 2020-21 fiscal year with the first cycle beginning mid-September and ending in November. Awards will be considered based on meeting one or more of the council funding priorities listed above, area served in the region and community members served with preference for our most vulnerable.
Regional Travel Options sponsorships
The Regional Travel Options program at Metro sponsors events and activities that encourage and make it easier for people to walk, bike, take transit and rideshare in our region. In addition, or in substitution, to applying for a Metro sponsorship, we encourage applicants who are promoting active transportation to apply.
Learn more about RTO sponsorships
Other recently sponsored programs
Metro has sponsored a wide-array of activities, projects and programs, from fundraising events to conferences, trainings and workshops. Following is a sample of recently sponsored programs:
The Division Midway Alliance Festival of Nations
The Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center "Ambassadors of Hope" event
Bienstar Esperanza Fund Emergency assistance for families in need affected by COVID-19
Wisdom of the Elders “Evening with Wisdom” event
Association of Oregon Recyclers Annual conference
Women in Transportation Seminar Annual conference
Urban Ecosystem Research Consortium Annual Urban Ecology Symposium
Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce Annual fundraiser and award gala
Complete lists of Metro-sponsored events and activities each year since 2015:
How do I request sponsorship support?
Metro tries to respond within six weeks to all requests. However, during periods of high volume of incoming sponsorship requests Metro prioritizes processing of requests for events and activities occurring soonest on the calendar. While we very much appreciate sponsorship requests submitted months ahead of an event/activity as it helps us plan ahead, we’ll likely wait until closer to the event/activity to start processing the request, which means it could take longer than six weeks for us to respond to you. If you need expedited review of your request, please send an email to [email protected] in addition to your sponsorship request and let us know. We’ll try to accommodate when possible.
What acknowledgement does Metro expect for sponsorship support?
The extent of acknowledgement should be commensurate with the level of the sponsorship. Metro may negotiate in consideration of the sponsorship level and benefits offered.
Have a question or need further assistance?
To request a copy of the sponsorship request form or ask a question about Metro's sponsorship practice, contact [email protected].
Sponsorship request form
* Required fields