Now accepting applications for 2019 Metro Central Community Enhancement Grants

Do you have ideas about how to enhance your community?

Metro has nearly $240,000 available in community enhancement grants for Northwest Portland neighborhoods to build vibrant communities, protect clean air and water, maintain healthy ecosystems and improve regional equity.

Applications are due by midnight, Friday, Sept. 15, 2018. To learn more visit our website.

The grants are awarded annually through Metro’s Community Enhancement Program. They are funded by a $1 surcharge on each ton of waste at the Metro Central Transfer Station, located off of Highway 30 in Northwest Portland. The grants benefit the neighborhoods of Forest Park, Cathedral Park and Linnton; the Northwest District Association and the Northwest Industrial Area; and an area directly adjacent to the St. Johns Bridge.

Metro only accepts applications via the online system ZoomGrants™. Follow this link to get your account started and begin your application. A committee of local residents review and select projects to fund. Grants up to $50,000 have been awarded. They typically cover one year (Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2019). Grants requesting up to two
years to complete will also be considered.

What types of projects get funded?

Successful proposals strongly meet one or more of the following program goals:

Benefit youth, seniors, low income persons or underserved populations
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

See here for a list of grantees from the 2018 grant cycle.

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 occur within the target area (see map). Use this interactive map to see if your project falls within the target area boundary.

More information

For more details on eligibility criteria, download the 2018 grant application handbook, at the bottom of the Metro Central Enhancement Grant web page under “Related documents”:

Applications due at midnight Friday Sept. 15, 2018. Translation and interpretive services are available upon request at no cost to you.

Optional info session

Questions? Join us for an information session

Tuesday, Aug. 1, 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Metro Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave., room 370 A & B.

Or, contact Rob Nathan at 503-797-1691.

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.
Jennifer Jako, Forest Park Neighborhood Association
Billy Prince, Friends of Cathedral Park
Art Wagner, Linnton Neighborhood Association
Vacant, Northwest Industrial Area
John Spencer, Northwest District Association
Candice Jimenez, 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 on the Metro Central Enhancement Committee.