Deadline For Gresham Community Enhancement Grants Is Dec. 15

GRESHAM, OR —The city of Gresham is reminding residents that the deadline to apply for a 2022 Community Enhancement Grant is 5 p.m. on Dec. 15.

The grants are allocated by the Community Enhancement Advisory Committee to support projects that "improve the quality of life for the Gresham community."

According to the city, projects are eligible if they: improve the appearance of a neighborhood, preserve the natural environment, enhance public safety, provide recreational opportunity or benefit underserved populations.

The grant program started in 2017, when the longtime waste collection site on Northwest Birdsdale Avenue became the solid waste franchise Metro. Now, Metro gives $1 per ton for all solid waste collected at the station. That money is awarded to community organizations in the form of enhancement grants.

Among the groups eligible to apply for grants, according to the city, are: nonprofits and charitable organizations, neighborhood associations, schools and institutions of higher learning, faith-based groups and local government advisory committees, departments and special districts.

Some ideas of grant-eligible activities listed by the city are:

• Park programs and events
• Senior programs
• Youth programs
• 5K community run
• Job skills/work opportunities for the unemployed/homeless
• Safety, cleanliness or appearance enhancements
• Preserving wildlife and recreational areas for public enjoyment
• Heritage and preservation of Gresham's history

According to the city, there is approximately $55,500 available to fund projects that will occur between June 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023.

"Preference is given to new, one-time projects, rather than funding ongoing programs or operating costs," the city said.

The grant application and application instructions are available on the City of Gresham website.

In 2021, the program awarded $50,000 worth of grants to 14 different recipients, which each received between $1,000 and $5,000. Four $5,000 grants were awarded. They were for:

• Depave: Building a healing garden and fire pit
• IRCO: Pilot art/recreation programs for Pacific Islander youth
• Good News Community Health Center: Self-care classes for low-income seniors
• East Metro Arts, Culture & Community: Ambassador program at Nadaka Nature Park

In 2020, the program awarded $43,340 in grants to nine different recipients.