Cycle Oregon Fund Community Grants

The Cycle Oregon Fund, administered through the Oregon Community Foundation, makes annual grants to preserve special places in Oregon, promote bicycle safety and tourism, and support community projects throughout the state.

Funding History

• As of 2015: 200+ grants awarded totaling nearly $1.7 million
• 2015: 11 grants totaling $95,150
• 2014: 12 grants totaling $69,635

Geographic Scope

Priority: Communities along Cycle Oregon's annual Week Ride routes (primarily rural Oregon communities)

Funding Categories

1. Historic Preservation and Environmental Conservation
   • Habitat rehabilitation and enhancement
   • Trail development and maintenance
   • Environmental restoration projects
2. Community Grants
   • Infrastructure improvements (parks, playgrounds, community centers)
   • Health and wellness programs
   • Youth and education initiatives
   • Culturally-specific health promotion
   • ADA accessibility projects
3. Bicycle Safety and Tourism
   • Bike trail development (road, gravel, mountain bike)
   • Scenic bikeway signage and wayfinding
   • Bike-friendly amenities (racks, campsites)
   • Educational programs (safety, women cyclists)
   • Bike maps and route development

Recent Grant Examples (2014-2015)

• Trail grooming equipment for school cross-country ski program
• Natural resources apprenticeship programs for high school students
• Mountain bike trail building
• Bike-friendly campsite development
• Women on Bikes Program
• Historic preservation (Columbia River Highway centennial banners)
• Leo Adler path resurfacing
• ADA playground development
• Rail-with-trail feasibility studies

Eligibility

• Grantees typically come from communities Cycle Oregon has visited
• Priority given to projects in communities along current and recent route years
• Non-profit organizations and community groups eligible

Grant Committee

• Comprised of Cycle Oregon board members and staff

Contact

• Cycle Oregon Fund at Oregon Community Foundation
• Website: cycleoregon.com

Application Process

Submission:

• Annual application period (typically February-March)
• Submit to Cycle Oregon Fund at Oregon Community Foundation
• Highly competitive (2014: 36 proposals received requesting over $400,000)

Selection Criteria:

• Geographic priority to communities along Cycle Oregon routes
• Project alignment with funding categories
• Community impact and sustainability
• Grant committee review and selection

Timeline:

• Applications accepted: February-March (for annual grants)
• Winners notified: Spring (typically April)
• Grants awarded in following year

Note: Specific application forms and detailed requirements not provided in available materials. Contact Cycle Oregon directly for current application guidelines.