Venture Portland
Venture Portland is a Portland, Oregon public charity that supports the city’s neighborhood business districts through grants, training, technical assistance, and promotion. Founded in 1986, it describes its role as building the capacity of and connections between Portland’s business districts.
Venture Portland at a glance
In short: Venture Portland gave $280K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Oregon. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $280,400
- -15.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- -6.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,029
- -9.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $600,313
- -37.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (5 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Venture Portland
- How to Apply
-
The website’s 2025 staffing-grant information said eligible Venture Portland member districts could apply for one grant during that cycle. Applications are closed; the sources do not provide current application instructions.
- Review Cycle
- The 2025 staffing-grant cycle ran April 1–December 31, 2025; applications are closed.
- Deadline
- The 2025 staffing-grant cycle ran April 1–December 31, 2025; applications are closed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1125 Se Madison St, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: (503) 477-9648
Website: https://ventureportland.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Venture Portland funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Johns Boosters ($50K). Together the top 10 received $255K.
Grant Size Distribution
57 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 57 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization supports Portland’s neighborhood business districts. All grant dollars reported for filing year 2025 went to recipients in Oregon; the listed recipients are in Portland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Venture Portland open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 14 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $36K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $57K (2021) to $333K (2024). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $280K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Johns Boosters Portland, OR | Capacity Building | $50,000 |
| Stadium District Business Associati Portland, OR | Capacity Building | $47,730 |
| Apano Communities United Fund Portland, OR | Capacity Building | $42,000 |
| Raleigh Hills Business Association Portland, OR | Capacity Building | $36,450 |
| Old Town Community Portland, OR | Capacity Building | $28,820 |
| Foster Area Business Association Portland, OR | Capacity Building | $10,000 |
| Historic Mississippi Ave Business Association Portland, OR | Capacity Building | $10,000 |
| Historic Parkrose Portland, OR | Capacity Building | $10,000 |
| Lloyd Community Associatio Portland, OR | Capacity Building | $10,000 |
| Soul District Portland, OR | Capacity Building | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Venture Portland?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The organization’s 2024 filing narrative separately reports $340,000 in grant funding during the fiscal year, including $250,000 awarded through Major Impact Grants.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $600,313 | $860,726 | $1,126,868 | $280,400 | 14 | $1,678 |
| 2024 | $962,117 | $1,336,406 | $1,269,456 | $332,550 | 15 | $1,665 |
| 2023 | $1,095,774 | $1,324,055 | $995,092 | $86,126 | 11 | $357 |
| 2022 | $439,872 | $916,928 | $759,990 | $78,150 | 9 | $83 |
| 2021 | $351,772 | $591,762 | $483,713 | $57,300 | 8 | $578 |
| 2020 | $192,054 | $661,166 | $672,903 | $75,500 | 9 | $838 |
| 2019 | $233,044 | $677,403 | $644,967 | $102,668 | 12 | $156 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Venture Portland’s stated mission is to invest in the smart, strategic growth of Portland’s 50 neighborhood business districts through grants, training, and promotion. Its website says its grant funds are exclusively for member business associations and support district capacity and vitality. Examples of funded activities described on the website include staffing, contractors and consultants, street fairs, community events, shopping promotions, websites, banners, newsletters, maps, and other marketing materials.
The 2025 filing lists capacity building as the purpose for its largest grants. One recipient, APANO Communities United Fund, describes its own mission as uniting Asians and Pacific Islanders to build power, develop leaders, and advance equity through organizing, advocacy, community development, and cultural work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Venture Portland reported 14 grants totaling $280,400. Grants ranged from $5,400 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. The filing lists capacity building as the purpose for the largest grants.
The largest 2025 awards included $50,000 to St Johns Boosters, $47,730 to Stadium District Business Association, $42,000 to APANO Communities United Fund, $36,450 to Raleigh Hills Business Association, and $28,820 to Old Town Community. Other listed awards included $10,000 each to Foster Area Business Association, Historic Mississippi Ave, Historic Parkrose, Lloyd Community Association, and Soul District; $8,000 to NE Broadway Business Association; and $6,000 to Division Clinton Business District.
Venture Portland’s website says grants are available exclusively to member business associations. It described a 2025 staffing-grant cycle for member districts to apply for one grant to hire or retain ongoing staff, contractors, or consultants; applications are now closed. The website also describes grants offered at various times during the year for district activities.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joy Church, executive director; Jacob Falkinburg, COM & MEM SE; Eleni Gerding, president; Nicole Tignor, treasurer; Amanda Triskele, secretary; Eric Larpenteur, vice president; and directors Michael Chase, Danielle Deschenes, Ben Fisher, and Pam Coven. Venture Portland’s website identifies Joy Church as its executive director.
Venture Portland is led by Eleni Gerding, President since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 2 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Eleni Gerding
President
Secretary → President, 2022
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Chase
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danielle Deschenes
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben Fisher
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carolyne Holcomb
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Gebreab
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beth Dillight
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pam Coven
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
JOY Church
Executive Di
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$89K (2021) → $141K (2025)
Jacob Falkinburg
Com & Member Se
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$108K (2025)
Eric Larpenteur
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Triskele
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Tignor
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (36)
- Former: Greg Madden (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Carol Trioche (2024) — Director
- Former: Bridgid Blackburn (2019–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Nidal Kahl (2019–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Christine Longmuir (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Monika Hernandez (2023) — Director
- Former: Saundra Rose (2023) — Director
- Former: Matt Trenkle (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Roger Jones (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Seile Tekle (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Alisa Fairweather (2022) — Director
- Former: Becky Luening (2022) — Director
- Former: Lizzy Caston (2022) — Director
- Former: Brad Lee (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Liz Smith (2019–2021) — President
- Former: Nancy Chapin (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Stacey Lennon (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Emily Weddle (2021) — Director
- Former: Kyla Sele (2021) — Director
- Former: Matt Roberts (2021) — Director
- Former: Amy Theberge (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Andy Frazier (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Becky Groffman (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Brian Alfano (2019–2020) — Past President
- Former: Cameron Whitten (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Candee Wilson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Eleni Kehagiaras (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Eve Davis (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Heather Hoell (2019–2020) — Executive Director
- Former: Jerry Harper (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Jorden Piraino (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Katie Swanson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Matthew Micetic (2019–2020) — President
- Former: Don Baldwin (2020) — Director
- Former: Randy Bonella (2020) — Director
- Former: Selek Tekle (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $141K, to Joy Church (Executive Di). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Venture Portland
How much does Venture Portland give each year?
Venture Portland gave $280K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $333K across 15 grants.
What is Venture Portland's typical grant size?
Venture Portland's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $20,029, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Venture Portland that year got $28K on average.
Where does Venture Portland give grants?
Venture Portland gives mostly in Oregon: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (14 grants).
Does Venture Portland give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Venture Portland's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Capacity Building" (14 grants).
Who are Venture Portland's largest grantees?
Venture Portland's largest 2025 grantees include St Johns Boosters ($50,000), Stadium District Business Associati ($47,730) and Apano Communities United Fund ($42,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Venture Portland?
Venture Portland reported $600K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $861K.
What does Venture Portland fund?
Venture Portland’s stated mission is to invest in the smart, strategic growth of Portland’s 50 neighborhood business districts through grants, training, and promotion. Its website says its grant funds are exclusively for member business associations and support district capacity and vitality. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Venture Portland?
The website’s 2025 staffing-grant information said eligible Venture Portland member districts could apply for one grant during that cycle. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Venture Portland's EIN?
Venture Portland's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-1111942. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 20, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 8, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 12, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Venture Portland's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Venture Portland funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/venture-portland-morg_ef297e40da4b41dca07db233fe6510f6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_931111942_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Venture Portland funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/venture-portland-morg_ef297e40da4b41dca07db233fe6510f6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-07. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Venture Portland's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Venture Portland down — hundreds of funders to go?