Metro Planning and Development Grants: Concept Planning

Metro Planning and Development Grants support urban planning efforts in the Portland area, aimed at enhancing community potential through the development of new housing, shopping, and employment opportunities. With a funding capacity of up to $4 million, these grants are available for projects that comply with regional growth management plans and focus on inclusive, sustainable development.

NOTE: Metro now accepts applications continuously, on a rolling cycle.  A letter of interest is encouraged, but not required. If you miss the deadline, your application will be included in the next quarter's evaluation.
What is Metro?
Metro works with communities, businesses and residents in the Portland metropolitan area to chart a wise course for the future while protecting the things we love about this place.
Where is Metro?
Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The agency's boundary encompasses Portland, Oregon and 23 other cities – from the Columbia River in the north to the bend of the Willamette River near Wilsonville, and from the foothills of the Coast Range near Forest Grove to the banks of the Sandy River at Troutdale.
Everyone in greater Portland benefits when communities reach their full potential. 2040 planning and development grants help communities implement our region’s vision for the future. They create new housing and shopping opportunities, revitalize town centers, grow employment areas and reduce barriers to all types of housing and plan for growth in new neighborhoods.
The program, formerly known as the community planning and development grants program, supports  cities, counties, tribes and unincorporated groups who want to incorporate or annex into a neighboring city. Since 2006, Metro has awarded more than $30 million to fund 135 projects across the region. The grants are funded by a regional excise tax on certain construction projects in greater Portland.
Grant Categories
Metro may award up to $4 million in grant funds. Grants will be awarded in two different categories: Concept Planning and Planning Inside the UGB.
Concept Planning Concept planning grants facilitate planning for new urban areas on land currently designated as Urban Reserves. Concept planning efforts must plan for complete communities that comply with Title 11 of the Urban Growth Management Functional Plan.Evaluation CriteriaProposed projects must demonstrate consistency with Metro Code Section 3.07.1110 while considering activities to achieve a range of housing types and employment opportunities, all served by a well-connected multi-modal transportation system with access to parks and recreation.Projects should help realize community plans and goals and may maximize existing community assets such as parks, natural features, or nearby employment areas.Projects will also be evaluated upon the extent to which they utilize best practices for public involvement, including strategies for meaningfully engaging neighbors, businesses, property owners, key stakeholders, and historically marginalized communities, including people with lower incomes and communities of color.