Metro Central enhancement grants support residents within a target area that stretches along the west side of the Willamette River from the Northwest Neighborhood Association to Linnton, along with an area around the St. Johns Bridge within North Portland’s Cathedral Park neighborhood. Grants are awarded on an annual basis by the Metro Central Enhancement Committee, made up of representatives from the surrounding neighborhoods, businesses and environmental community.
Who may apply
Community enhancement grants are designed to serve people who may be negatively impacted by having a waste transfer station located within their community. Projects must occur within the target area. Community groups, neighborhoods, nonprofits, schools and school groups, government agencies, faith groups and service groups with nonprofit or other tax-exempt status may apply.
Metro Central Enhancement Grant boundary
These grants are typically competitive, meaning there are more requests for funding than can be met in a given year. Successful proposals will strongly meet at least one of the following program 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.
In fall of 2023, the Metro Central Community Enhancement Committee selected 12 proposals and awarded $326,574 in 2024 grant funds. Read the full list of recipients in this announcement:
Application submission, review and selection
The Metro Central community enhancement grants provide 12 months of funding. The 2025 grant cycle will fund a total of approximately $270,000 worth of community enhancement projects. Applications are accepted from September to November, and an applicant information session is held in October to help applicants better understand the grant program and application requirements. Funding for projects will begin in February.
If you would like to be added to the grant information mailing list, please contact [email protected].
The Metro Central Enhancement Committee is comprised of six neighborhood representatives. Metro Councilor Mary Nolan, the Metro Councilor from District 5, serves as chair. The committee reviews and awards all grant requests.