Neighborhood to the River grants are available for projects that improve stormwater management and watershed health while benefiting and involving communities.
Donor Name: City of Portland
State: Oregon
City: Portland
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $20,000
Details:
Environmental Services manages Portland’s wastewater and stormwater infrastructure to protect public health and the environment and preserve and restore the health of Portland’s watersheds. Neighborhood to the River collaborates with communities to develop and implement projects that deliver stormwater system, community, and watershed benefits. Grants support community groups and residents who want to improve the health of Portland watersheds.
Types of Projects
Typical grant projects are focused on installing living green infrastructure such as planting native plants, shrubs, and trees and building rain gardens. Projects may include education and art elements that promote stormwater management and watershed health.
Funding Information
Typical grant awards range from $10,000 to $20,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Applicants: Community groups, businesses, non-profits, student groups, schools, faith organizations, neighborhood or business associations, and service groups within the City of Portland are eligible to apply. If you are not the property owner, you will need permission from the property owner to build the project.
- Eligible Projects: Neighborhood to the River grants support watershed enhancement and education work within eligible project areas in the City of Portland. Since Portland sanitary sewer and stormwater ratepayers fund the grant program, all grant projects must be accessible or visible to the public and show a clear public benefit. Projects should also be consistent with the City Core Values of antiracism, equity, transparency, communication, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- Pavement Removal and Urban Restoration – Projects that remove pavement or other impervious surfaces and replace them with living green infrastructure like trees, shrubs, native plants, and gardens.
- Nuisance Plants Removal and Restoration – Projects that remove nuisance plant species and replace them with native plants.
- Rain Gardens and Stormwater Management – Projects such as ecoroofs, rain gardens, or swales that collect rainwater from roofs and paved areas and let it soak into the ground.
- Community and Native Gathering Gardens – Gardens can contribute to watershed health, especially when they contain native plants that support native pollinators.
- Youth leadership and job skills programs – Projects that provide valuable leadership and career development opportunities for young people while improving stormwater management and watershed health.
- Environmental Education and Art – Projects that offer innovative workshops, curricula, creative writing, art, special events, or interpretive signs. Topics can include pollution prevention, native plant ecology, and local water resources.
For more information, visit City of Portland.
