Portland Parks Foundation
Small Grants Program

The 2024 Small Grants Spring Cycle is open until April 15.

The Portland Parks Foundation’s Small Grants Program awards financial support to community-based organizations within the city of Portland who foster equitable access to our urban parks, natural areas, community gardens and community recreation centers. The program is founded on a generous bequest from Nancy Hebb Freeman, an artist, hiker and lover of Portland parks.

Our motto is “We help people help parks” because we know that our parks support so many of our personal and community needs. Parks can improve mental and physical health, serve critical green infrastructure functions, contribute to economic development, act as links in transportation networks, host cultural and social activities, and help give communities a sense of place.[1]

Yet many Portland residents still lack equal access to parks that feel welcoming and safe. They struggle to find well-maintained parks that are designed and programmed to meet their particular needs, based on input from their community.

With our small grants, PPF focuses on the people and organizations working to fill these gaps. We intentionally prioritize organizations supporting low-income populations, communities of color, and other historically marginalized groups.

Please see below for grant guidelines, deadlines, the application, and examples of past grant recipients. Also, please feel free to call or email PPF for more information—we’re happy to hear from you. You will find contact information below.

PPF offers $2,000 grants for both the spring and fall cycles. This program is supported by funding from the City of Portland through Portland Parks & Recreation’s Community Partnership Program.

Don’t forget to check out our annual Parks Champion Award, which recognizes volunteers who provide outstanding volunteer service to a park, community center, natural area, or community garden. Each year, PPF makes a grant of $1,500 on the recommendation of the award recipient to a community organization that aligns with PPF’s vision to help Portland communities create more equitable access to nature, play, health, and places of connection.

[1] Urban Park Systems: Emerging Funding Strategies and Tools. Matt Eldridge Kimberly Burrowes Patrick Spauster. July 2019. Urban Institute (Elevate the Debate)

Small Grant Program Application Form and Guidelines:

Application Guidelines

Start your application

Small Grant Timeline:

Proposals are accepted during two separate periods each year:

Award decisions announced:

Funded programs completed:

March 1 - April 15 (deadline)
September 1 – October 15 (deadline)

Within 8 weeks after proposal deadlines. (For distribution purposes, funds are typically sent mid-June and mid-December, respectively.)

Within 12 months of award notification

How to submit:

The best way to submit a nomination is through the online application. Click “create an account” to get started! Please email Jason Brown, Program Coordinator, at jason.brown@portlandpf.org with any questions or assistance with the online application.