The following granting organizations provide funding for a range of placemaking activities, including block parties.

Follow the links below to view those granting organizations in the "Individual Grant Information" page.

PBOT Community Grant

APANO Creative Placemaking Grant

Oregon Grant Watch

Oregon GEAR UP

Community & Civic Life Neighborhood Small Grants

AARP Community Challenge

Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community

Portsmouth Neighborhood Association Micro Block Grant - mini grants for block parties held in Portsmouth, must have a PBOT block party permit.

 

 

 

 

PORTLAND BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION

Applicable Portland In the Streets Programs: Spaces to Places; Adopt a Landscape; Pedestrian Plaza; Street Prototyping; Creative Crosswalks; Street Painting, Parades
Important Dates: Open odd-numbered years.  June 28 (Applications available); August 31 (Due Date); November (Award announcements); December 31 (Last day of Project Implementation); February 1 (Due: Final report and documentation) 
Funding Amount: Maximum is $20K; Previous years funding range: $1K to $10K 
Grant Page: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/73920 
Program: Portland in the Streets Community Grant  
Overview: Supports community-driven projects focused on transportation safety, equity, innovation and placemaking.

The Portland in the Streets Community Grant applications were due August 31, 2017. During the application period, eighty-two community members attended three informational workshops that provided more information and made staff available for technical questions. With the support of consults from Design + Culture Lab, there was also an intentional effort to solicit ideas from communities that have historically been underserved by City services and programming. Applications were scored for (1) project feasibility; (2) community partnerships and equity; (3) transportation and safety benefit; and (4) livability and community placemaking.

 

 

 

ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN NETWORK OF OREGON (APANO)

Applicable Portland In the Streets Programs: Street Painting, Parades
Important Dates: NOTE: Granting cycle 2018 to 2019 is currently not being offered.  Applications due end of November of open granting cycle year.
Funding Amount: Maximum is $10K; Previous years funding range: $5K to $10K 
Grant Webpage: http://www.apano.org/blog/2017/12/18/announcing-our-2018-creative-placemaking-grantees/
Program: APANO Creative Placemaking Grant
Overview: Funding local artists and residents to lead creative placemaking projects to engage the East Portland community in issues that affect them.

Funding grants for projects in the Jade and Midway Districts, intended for individuals connected to the community. Artists and those who do not identify as such are encouraged to apply.

 

 

 

OREGON GRANT WATCH

PORTLAND BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION

Applicable Portland In the Streets Programs: There may be grants suitable for the following programs: Spaces to Places; Adopt a Landscape; Pedestrian Plaza; Street Prototyping; Creative Crosswalks; Street Painting, Parades
Important Dates: Grant specific dates.
Funding Amount: Grant specific amounts. 
Grant Page: https://oregon.grantwatch.com/  
Program: Many grant types on the Grant Watch website/database.  
Overview: Grant Watch is a searchable database of grants for nonprofits, small businesses, and individuals.  Site requires registration and offers paid subscription options.

 

 

OREGON GEAR UP

Applicable Portland In the Streets Programs: There may be grants suitable for the following programs: Spaces to Places; Adopt a Landscape; Pedestrian Plaza; Street Prototyping; Creative Crosswalks; Street Painting, Parades
Important Dates: Grant specific dates.
Funding Amount: Grant specific amounts. 
Grant Page: https://oregongearup.org/calendar/fund 
Program: Oregon State University’s Funding Opportunities Calendar  
Overview: A database of funding opportunities geared towards funding programs that advocate for a successful pursuit of a postsecondary education in low-income middle school and high school students.

Inclusion into Oregon GEAR UP’s funding calendar is based on program alignment with those of GEAR UP’s research-based principles, known as the 5 R’s:

1. Reaching Higher: High expectations for students;
2. Rigor: Academic preparation and support;
3. Relevance: Career exploration and connection;
4. Relationships: Supportive peers and adults; and
5. Raising Awareness: admissions and financial aid info.

 

 

 

COMMUNITY & CIVIC LIFE

Applicable Portland In the Streets Programs: Spaces to Places; Adopt a Landscape; Pedestrian Plaza; Street Prototyping; Creative Crosswalks; Street Painting, Parades
Important Dates: The City of Portland Neighborhood Small Grant is structured into seven grants organized by seven neighborhood coalitions.  Each of the seven neighborhood coalitions has its own open and due date for this grant. 
Funding Amount: The grant amount is variable with respect to coalition.  Each coalition administers their own small grant program. Typical small grants range from $1,000 to $3,000.
Grant Page: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/civic/43120 
Program: Neighborhood Small Grants
Overview: Community engagement projects that will benefit those communities in which the granting coalition is located.

The City of Portland Neighborhood Small Grant is structured into seven grants organized by seven neighborhood coalitions.  Each of the seven neighborhood coalitions has its own open and due date for this grant.

The overall priority for these grants is to engage community, strengthen connections between members of a community, build neighborhood capacity, and increase impact on public decisions and community life. The PITS program areas could be outlets to these engagements.

 

 

AARP

Applicable Portland In the Streets Programs: Spaces to Places; Adopt a Landscape; Pedestrian Plaza; Street Prototyping; Creative Crosswalks; Street Painting.
Important Dates: March to May (open and due date); Late June: notifications to applicants on status; November of same year: project completion; December: Project Report Due
Funding Amount: Variable
Grant Page: https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/about/info-2017/aarp-community-challenge.html  
Program: Community Challenge  
Overview: AARP offers "quick-action" grants to make communities more livable for people of all ages.

The AARP Community Challenge Grant awardees are those projects that improve social connections through the built environment for people of all ages and abilities; expand work, volunteer, educational and/or training opportunities for all residents;’ and drive inclusive engagement and interaction across a diverse population.

 

 

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES + PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES

Applicable Portland In the Streets Programs: Spaces to Places; Adopt a Landscape; Pedestrian Plaza; Street Prototyping; Creative Crosswalks; Street Painting.
Important Dates: Both Southwest Airlines and Project for Public Spaces are currently exploring new granting priorities to redefine the granting program and it’s intended impact on communities.  Announcements on a new granting cycle are expected in the future. 
Funding Amount: TBA 
Grant Page: https://www.pps.org/heart-of-the-community 
Program: Heart of the Community (currently not offered in 2018)
Overview: Provide financial and technical assistance to local community partners who seek to bring new life to their public spaces.

Heart of the Community is a signature outreach program of Southwest Airlines with a mission to build connections that bring people together and strengthen communities for a more resilient future. 

Hear of the Community Grant goals are the following:

• Help communities bring new life to their public spaces, transforming them into vibrant places that connect people and strengthen communities
• Raise awareness of placemaking as a mainstream approach and a catalyst for building sustainable, healthy, inclusive, and economically viable communities
• Encourage activation, participation, and volunteerism in public spaces to benefit local communities