North Portland Fund
Community Grant Program

Grant applications open March 1 - April 15, 2026

Portland Parks Foundation is relaunching this historic grant fund, previously managed by the City of Portland. The Fund seeks to improve the livability of neighborhoods and vitality of area businesses in the 11 priority North Portland communities: Arbor Lodge, Bridgeton, Cathedral Park, East Columbia, Hayden Island, Kenton, Overlook, Piedmont, Portsmouth, St. Johns, University Park. Learn more about the program and essential dates below.

Scroll down to learn more about program history and the grant application criteria and process, or use the buttons to jump right in.

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Grant Guidelines Doc

Program History & Description

Portland Parks Foundation (PPF) is proud to partner with Portland Parks & Recreation to be the new steward of the North Portland Fund (NPF) Community Grants Program. Between 2026 and 2028, PPF will work with North Portlanders to distribute up to $70,000-$80,000 per funding cycle to community projects working to improve North Portland’s neighborhood vitality and livability. The first grant cycle opens March 1, 2026.

The North Portland Fund was established in 1989 to address the impact that the Portland International Raceway (PIR) has on adjacent neighborhoods. Its goal is to provide improvements to neighborhood vibrancy and livability in the 11 surrounding communities of Arbor Lodge, Bridgeton, Cathedral Park, East Columbia, Kenton, Overlook, Hayden Island, Piedmont, Portsmouth, St. Johns, and University Park.

Grant Program Information & Criteria

Program Walkthrough:

Timeline:

  • Grant Applications open March 1, 2026

  • Applications close: midnight, April 15, 2026

  • Grant payments: By June 30, 2026

Award Amounts:

  • Awards range from $3,000 - 10,000

Key Criteria:

  • Work in Priority Neighborhoods: work must provide benefits primarily within the 11 priority neighborhoods named above.

  • Community Benefit: work must improve the livability of these neighborhoods or the vitality of area businesses.

  • Partnership & Engagement: applications should demonstrate broad-based community involvement in planning and implementing the proposed work

  • Feasibility: applicants must have sufficient organizational and fiscal capacity to carry out the proposal, and the grant proposal must include a realistic plan describing how the proposal will be carried out. All applications must include a detailed timeline and budget.

Additional Criteria:

  • Additional consideration given to Kenton, Portsmouth, and Hayden Island.

  • Additional consideration to applications supporting youth and/or underserved communities

  • Funding priority may be given to applications that demonstrate positive environmental impact to the outlined neighborhoods.

Organizational Requirements:
All applicants must have an EIN or TIN as a registered entity with the IRS in order to receive payment. Individuals or unestablished (unregistered groups) must obtain a partner or a fiscal sponsor.

  • Non-profits

  • Community groups & initiatives who have a Fiscal Sponsor

  • Businesses (located in Geography) & Business Associations

  • Churches

  • Schools

  • Government Agencies

Timeline

  • Applications open online: March 1 - April 15, 2026

  • Applications Reviewed by Selection Committee: Late April - May 2026

  • 2026 Awardees Notified and Announced: June 2026

Start your application

Questions?

  • Virtual Office Hours with PPF Staff:  Wednesday, April 1, 3:00 - 6:00, on Zoom. Please email Jason Brown for link.

For all other questions, technical assistance, or general grant guidance, please contact Jason Brown, PPF Programs & Partnerships Manager at jason.brown@portlandpf.org or 503.342.0306.

Coming soon: Application Tips & FAQs