5 Portland Grants You Can Apply For

Founded in 1973 by William Swindells, the Oregon Community Foundation became a permanent endowment that created thousands of jobs across the state of Oregon. In 2012, OCF reached the $156 million dollar milestone in assets and continues to grow, celebrating its 40 year anniversary in 2014. Below is a list of 5 grants funded by the Oregon Community foundation that you can apply for. Some are intended for individuals while others are geared toward community groups or nonprofit organizations. See what made the list.

1. The Community Grant program supports sustainable solutions that promise to create long-term change in the Oregon community. Awarded twice per year, the program gives out roughly 175 grants, typically to small to midsize nonprofits. Grant proposals are evaluated based on the amount of local support, level of organization on the part of the applicant and if the proposal meets a community need. Want more information? You can review the program guidelines for a detailed run-down of proposal requirements.
2. The Small Arts & Culture Grants program supports small arts and culture nonprofit organizations in Oregon, predominately those who have a budget of under $100,000. In an effort to support these smaller nonprofit organizations, OCF invests $300,000 each year for five years for the overall success of community-driven organizations. In 2015, 99 nonprofits received a small arts & culture grant. You can view the complete list of grantees here.
3. Advised Fund Grants are not open to receiving applications, but if your organization is eligible, you will receive an invitation to complete an organization profile directly from OCF.
4. The Reed and Carolee Walker Fund supports the health of children in poverty, including mental health support and those who come from broken homes. Review grant questions ahead of time before embarking on this application process; it's a lengthy and complex once.
5. The Nike Community Impact Fund, established in 2010, supports communities where Nike employees live and work. Grants are allocated in one-year installments, and range in amount from $5,000 - $20,000. For more in-depth details regarding the fund, review the program guidelines to see if you or someone you know qualifies. The eligibility requirements are on the stricter side for this grant, it would be wise to review these in their entirety before deciding to apply.

Image via Shutterstock; Oregon Community Foundation