2021 Nature in Neighborhoods community stewardship and restoration grants now open

June 22, 2021 Deadline

Want to restore and care for nature in your community? A Metro Nature in Neighborhoods community stewardship and restoration grant can help get your idea off the ground if you have a vision for:

Improving water quality,
Creating fish and wildlife habitat,
Removing invasive species,
Addressing inequities in the conservation movement, and/or
Restoring nature in the Portland metropolitan area

Grant recipients have planted native species at Ross Island, improved water quality and amphibian habitat in Willow Creek, and restored habitat at the Sandy River Delta for fish, migrating birds and turtles all while engaging local residents in being stewards of their local natural areas.

Metro grants expand partnerships to inspire new approaches to restoration, including economic and environmental equity. In the Jade District, APANO, Columbia Land Trust and Audubon worked together with private landowners to increase community stewardship and improve habitat. In Hillsboro, Depave transformed the M&M Marketplace’s parking lot from gray to green by engaging community members that included pavement removal, rain garden creation, and native plant installation. Momentum Alliance and Northwest Youth Corps co-created a diverse conservation leadership program for youth interns with year-round programming and coaching.

Metro’s Nature in Neighborhood community stewardship and restoration grants support programs like these.

This round of grants is possible thanks to support from voters, who in 2016 renewed the parks and natural areas levy, extending funding to 2023. New this round, the community stewardship and restoration grants will be offered every two years.

The community stewardship and restoration grants program will award $700,000 this year. Projects can be completed in one, two or three years. Large grants are up to $100,000 and small grants are up to $50,000. Metro hopes to fund a mix of smaller and larger projects, in order to maximize the number and variety of organizations that participate in this funding opportunity.

Groups throughout greater Portland are encouraged to apply.

Click HERE to learn more about Metro community stewardship and restoration grants and fill out a simple application by June 22, 2021.

To learn more and ask questions, contact the grants program manager, Karissa Lowe, Program Manager, Nature in Neighborhoods Community Grants, Karissa.lowe@oregonmetro.gov

Thank you,

The Community Investments and Partnerships Team

Metro Parks and Nature

Juan Carlos Ocaña-Chíu, Community Investments Manager, juan.carlos.ocana-chiu@oregonmetro.gov

Crista Gardner, Program Manager, Nature in Neighborhoods Capital Grants, crista.gardner@oregonmetro.gov

Karissa Lowe, Program Manager, Nature in Neighborhoods Community Grants, Karissa.lowe@oregonmetro.gov

Oriana Quackenbush, Grants and Contracts Coordinator, oriana.quackenbush@oregonmetro.gov

Marcia Sinclair, Program Manager, Local Share Program, marcia.sinclair@oregonmetro.gov

Tara Miller, Program Manager, Community Partnerships , tara.miller@oregonmetro.gov

For more information about any of Metro’s great grant programs, please see our website at oregonmetro.gov/grants

UPCOMING METRO FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Metro Sponsorship Opportunities

Metro gives sponsorship funds to nonprofit organizations whose work aligns with Metro’s mission and goals. Funds are used to support community programs, activities, events and projects that benefit the public, engage a diversity of residents and businesses, address inequities that impact our communities, and inspire inclusive and innovative solutions to the challenges of making the Portland area a great place for everyone.

Timeline: Accepted on an ongoing basis.

Learn more: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/tools-partners/grants-and-resources/sponsorship-opportunities

Community Enhancement Grants

Community Enhancement Grants improve economic opportunities, neighborhood livability, public safety and more in areas near the region’s garbage transfer facilities. Six communities participate in the program, including Forest Grove, Oregon City, Wilsonville, Sherwood, Troutdale, North Portland and Northwest Portland.

Learn more: http://www.oregonmetro.gov/tools-partners/grants-and-resources/community-enhancement-grants

2021 Parks and Nature Sponsorships

Metro Parks and Nature Sponsorships provide up to $3,500 for community-led activities led by and for people of color and held at Metro parks and natural areas. Community-led sponsorships are part of the Community Partnerships Program, which works with community groups and organizations to connect people of color with nature.

Timeline (updated): More information available in Summer 2021.

Learn more: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks-and-nature-community-partnerships-program

OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

WES Grants

Are you interested in creating a project that benefits watershed health in the greater Happy Valley-Clackamas area? WES is now accepting grant proposals for the 2021-2022 grant cycle. The new program guide, fillable application form and budget form are posted online.

Timeline: The due date is April 29, 2021.

Learn more and apply: https://www.clackamas.us/wes/watershedhealth.html

MRG Foundation General Fund

MRG Foundation funds primarily grassroots, Oregon-based organizations that believe, like we do, that those most impacted by injustice are the ones best equipped to come up with solutions to the problems that affect them.

Eligibility:

Be based in the region currently known as Oregon and/or their work must benefit those who call Oregon home;
Preferably, have 501(c)(3) tax exemption or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
If a group has neither federal tax exemption nor a fiscal sponsor, please contact us.
If a group is a 501(c)(4), they may apply for 501(c)(3)-qualifying work.
Not have received a grant in the immediately previous grant cycle.

Timeline: due by April 23, 2021

Learn more and apply: see website

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10

Seeking applications to improve community health, resilience, and/or sustainability through pollution prevention and/or sustainable materials management implementation. EPA Region 10 anticipates awarding approximately $120,000 under this announcement. Awards will be issued and managed through EPA’s Region 10 Office. EPA anticipates awarding 2-4 grants, ranging from $30,000 to

$60,000.

Eligibility: Applications include:

Region 10 states, local governments, city or township governments
Independent school district governments
State-controlled institutions of higher education
Non-profit organizations
Community-based grassroots organizations
Federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia
Eligible projects must take place within Region 10, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.

Timeline: due by April 30, 11:59 pm

Learn more and apply: see website

Kresge Foundation Grant: Creative Placemaking Initiative

The Kresge Foundation offers grants for projects that challenge the norms and ways of working within city-wide systems, and support more adaptive practitioners.

Who is eligible: U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations with audited financial statements that are not classified as private foundations and government entities in the United States.

Deadlines: There are no application deadlines, applications are accepted at any time

Learn more: see website

Umpqua Bank Community Grants

Umpqua Bank, through the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation, has evolved its community giving strategy and Community Grants program to reflect a deeper commitment to improving economic prosperity, especially for under-resourced individuals, families, and small businesses. We are dedicated to building healthier, more resilient, better connected, and inclusive communities throughout our footprint.

Eligibility – Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation will:

Accept applications only from qualified, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
Accept applications from nonprofits serving counties where Umpqua Bank maintains a retail presence
Only fund programs that serve a majority low-to-moderate (LMI) population
Prioritize nonprofit organizations that engage current Umpqua Bank associates in a volunteer capacity
Prioritize programs benefitting under-resourced communities Timeline: Applications are accepted ongoing and reviewed quarterly.

Timeline: The next review is Friday, June 4, 2021

Learn more and apply: website

The Small Projects and Community Events (SPACE) Grants

This program of theEast Multnomah County Soil & Water Conservation District provides grants of up to $2000 to support conservation projects, environmental education, community/school gardens, and community events that promote natural resource conservation. Examples of eligible projects or events include naturescaping, stormwater management, pollution prevention or clean-up, education of youth and/or adults, and community events promoting public participation and understanding of conservation issues.

Who is eligible: nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and Native American tribes doing a project located in or benefitting the residents of the district (Multnomah County East of the Willamette River)

Timeline: Completed application forms are due on the 1st of every month and should be submitted at least 45 days before the date of the project or event.

Learn more and apply: see website

Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation Education Grant

The Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District Conservation Education Grant awards grants up to $20,000 to support conservation education efforts within Washington County, Oregon. Eligible projects must focus on conservation education programming or environmental workforce development.

Who is eligible: Non-profit organizations, educational institutions, Native American tribes, and government agencies for projects in Washington County.

Timeline: Applications are due on the 10^th of each month. Projects are awarded on a competitive basis until funds are exhausted for the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

Learn more: see website or contact Charlotte Trowbridge at (503) 277-3709 or charlotte.trowbridge@tualatinswcd.org

Native Plant Mini-Grants

City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services Community Watershed Stewardship Program mini-grants provide gift certificates for up to $500 for native plants to community groups or individuals that need seed money to help start or maintain projects beneficial to the local watershed. These stewardship projects must bring together volunteers for an overall goal of enhancing water quality in Portland’s watersheds.

Timeline: Accept applications on ongoing basis but applicants are limited to one mini-grant per calendar year.

To apply: Download form or contact Esmerelda Sanchez at 503-823-7917 to have one mailed to you