Do you have ideas about how to enhance your community?
A Metro Central Enhancement grant could help make your vision a reality. Metro created these grants more than 20 years ago to enhance neighborhoods affected by the Metro Central transfer facility. They are designed to support residents within an area that stretches along the west side of the Willamette River from the Northwest District Neighborhood Association to Linnton, as well as an area around the St. Johns Bridge within North Portland’s Cathedral Park neighborhood.
Timeline
- Applications are due 5:00 Friday, Sept. 16, 2016.
- Proposals must be submitted via Zoom Grants. The Metro Central Enhancement Committee will review the grant applications and make a funding decision by the end of the year.
- Grant funds are available Jan. 1, 2017.
Funding available
During the 2017 grant cycle, approximately $245,000 is estimated to be available for grants from community enhancement fees collected at the Metro Central transfer station.
Funding requests
Metro invites proposals for funding requests in the $10,000 to $50,000 range. Grants typically cover one year (Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2017). Grants requesting up to two years to complete will also be considered.
Who may apply?
Individuals, community groups, neighborhoods, nonprofits, schools and school groups, government agencies, faith and service groups with nonprofit or other tax-exempt status. Projects must benefit the Metro Central target area – see map on reverse.
Metro Central Community Enhancement Grants (Northwest Portland)
Funded by a surcharge on waste at the Metro Central Transfer Station, located off of Highway 30 in Northwest Portland, Metro Central Enhancement Grants benefit the neighborhoods of Forest Park, Cathedral Park, Linnton, the Northwest District Association, the Northwest Industrial area and an area directly adjacent to the St. Johns Bridge.
What types of projects get funded?
Successful proposals strongly meeting at least one of the following community needs:
- Improve the appearance or environmental quality of the community
- Reduce the amount or toxicity of waste
- Increase reuse and recycling opportunities
- Rehabilitate or upgrade real or personal property owned or operated by a nonprofit organization
- Preserve or enhance wildlife, riparian zones, wetlands, forest lands and marine areas, and/or improve the public awareness and the opportunities to enjoy them.
- Improve or increase recreational areas and programs
- Improve safety
- Benefit youth, seniors, low income persons or underserved populations
Metro Central Enhancement Committee
Each year committee members help solicit and review grant applications, and fund a slate of neighborhood improvement projects that benefit Northwest Portland. The committee is chaired by the Metro Councilor representing District 5.
- Andrew De Veux, Friends of Cathedral Park
- Art Wagner, Linnton Neighborhood Association
- Austin Peterson, Northwest Industrial Area
- Brad Houle, Northwest District Association
- Mary Peveto, Environmental Community
- Chair, Metro Councilor Sam Chase
Members must be confirmed by the Metro Council and serve a two-year term. Neighborhood Association representatives must live within the boundary of their respective neighborhood, with the exception of the committee’s business and environmental representatives.
Contact your neighborhood association representatives if you are interested in representing your community
For more information contact Molly Chidsey, Community Enhancement Program coordinator, 503.797.1690
To be added to the mailing list, contact Kim Waxler at 503.797.1651.
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