Applications are now being accepted for the Community Stewardship and Restoration Projects Grants.
Donor Name: Metro
State: Oregon
City: Portland
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/23/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
Purpose
Community stewardship and restoration grants support and create partnerships in local communities that improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and connect people with nature.
Goals
- Goal 1: Improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat
- These grants will preserve and restore fish and wildlife habitat in local communities and support larger environmental justice and conservation initiatives such as the Oregon State Conservation Strategy, Regional Conservation Strategy, Watershed Action Plans or local community plans.
- Goal 2: Community partnerships, collaboration and accountability
- Create, support, and/or deepen partnerships in local communities by connecting people to nature and centering the needs of these communities; increase people’s awareness of the need for – and benefits of – protecting and stewarding natural areas; center racial equity and support communities (with priority given to BIPOC communities and communities most affected by white supremacy culture) in teaching and learning about, restoring, and experiencing the region’s natural areas.
- Goal 3: Economic and environmental equity
- The community stewardship and restoration grants help address inequities in the conservation movement. The grants provide outdoor, environmental, and natural resources; economic opportunities; direct access to protected natural areas; and the positive impacts of clean land, air and water to Black communities, Indigenous communities, communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized groups in greater Portland.
Funding Information
Funding for the 2023 community stewardship and restoration grants funding cycle is set at $750,000. The final slate of proposals recommended for funding will include a mix of small, medium, and large grants. Small grants have a maximum award of $50,000, medium grants have a maximum award of $75,000, and large grants have a maximum award of $100,000. These grants are currently offered every other year; this is the first community stewardship and restoration grant opportunity of the 2022 levy renewal.
Grant Period
Projects must be completed within 36 months (3 years).
Who may apply?
- Community groups, watershed councils, collectives, neighborhood associations, nonprofits, faith groups and service groups with nonprofit or other tax exempt status, or with a fiscal sponsor who has that status may apply. Metro is not eligible to apply for or receive grant funds.
- The community stewardship and restoration grants are intended to support community-driven initiatives and programs. Partnerships are key to a competitive proposal because this is a requirement stated in the 2013 local option levy, and because partnerships can facilitate innovation, collaboration, solidarity, accountability and communal or collective approaches to climate justice and racial equity. These grants are intended to benefit people of all ages and abilities from all backgrounds. Organizations are encouraged to submit applications for projects benefitting, designed by, and led by Black and Indigenous communities, communities of color and other historically and continually marginalized groups. For example, a project designed by members from historically and continually marginalized communities would demonstrate that they are involved in decision-making, project planning, implementation, outreach activities and evaluation. Applicants may seek funding for “shovel ready” projects or for projects that are in earlier planning phases.
- Examples of past grantees: Past 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.
For more information, visit Metro.
