Metro Planning and Development Grants: Planning Inside the UGB

Metro Planning and Development Grants: Planning Inside the UGB

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Metro
Last Updated: February 25, 2026

Summary

The Metro Planning and Development Grants, specifically for planning inside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), aim to foster equitable development in the Portland area. Grants of up to $4 million support diverse projects, including community visioning and economic strategies, helping cities and counties implement the 2040 Growth Concept. Since 2006, Metro has invested over $30 million in community projects to enhance housing and employment opportunities, ensuring a sustainable future for over 1.7 million residents.

Overview

NOTE: Letters of interest are not required but strongly encouraged. For the next cycle, letters of interst are due by Sept. 5,2025. Full applications are due by Oct. 10,2025. 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. Planning and Development Grants 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. Planning Inside the UGBThese grants are intended for planning projects that facilitate equitable development and redevelopment and/or promote economic growth. Projects funded in this category must align with the goals of the 2040 Growth Concept.The following types of projects are eligible for funding in this category:Center, main street, corridor, and station area plansCommunity visioning and redevelopment plansEquitable development strategiesEconomic development strategies and funding toolsSite-specific redevelopment plansCommunity engagement for planning and development projectsPlans and strategies for industrial land readinessParking studies and management plansOther, similar types of projects that support 2040 Growth Concept goals and facilitate development and redevelopment

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible ApplicantsThe following entities are eligible to apply for and receive grants in this category:Cities and counties within the Metro boundaryMost local governments may submit only one grant application per calendar year, with the following exceptions:The City of Portland may submit up to three applications per calendar year.The cities of Hillsboro, Gresham, and Beaverton may submit up to two applications per calendar year.Washington and Clackamas Counties may submit up to two applications per calendar year.Urban unincorporated area community groups who are seeking to incorporate or annexFederally recognized Tribes of OregonApplicant teams may also include community partners and other local governments that are partnered with an eligible applicant. Metro encourages partnerships that bring community members and their experiences and expertise into the planning process in impactful ways.Eligible ExpensesThe following expenses are eligible for reimbursement with 2040 grant funds:Technical consultant services and direct project expenses for project planning, program development, and implementation. Direct project expenses may include the cost of meals, travel, printing, virtual communication platforms, and other similar expenses directly related to completing project scopes as determined in grant agreements.Staff time for nonprofit or community partners, if applicable.City, county, or Tribe staff time, with the limitation that a maximum of 20% of the total grant amount may be used toward paying for staff time spent on direct management or facilitation of the grant projectEvaluation CriteriaGrant applications for planning inside the UGB must be able to demonstrate consistency with the following criteria:The proposal helps to facilitate development or redevelopment within the UGB.The proposed work is ready to begin. Project readiness is evaluated based on several factors, including:The applicant has capacity and expertise to lead the workThe project has a clear scope with well-defined tasks, deliverables, and desired outcomesA reasonable budget and schedule for the project has been establishedThere is a support framework for the project (political support, ability to implement, alignment with other projects, etc.)The proposal presents a plan for meaningful and transparent engagement with those communities that will be impacted by the work, with an emphasis on communities that are historically under-represented in planning processes. Metro encourages partnerships with community-based organizations, cultural groups or other organizations trusted by community for effective community engagement.The proposal aligns with Metro’s 2040 Growth Concept map and one or more of the six desired outcomes for the region.Those desired outcomes include:Climate change adaptation or mitigationAdvancement of racial equityEconomic growth and prosperityComplete and equitable communitiesProvision of housing optionsSafe and reliable transportationWhen evaluating applications, Metro will also consider whether the applicant jurisdiction has existing 2040 grants that are not yet complete.

Ineligibility

Can not include:Property acquisition or actual constructionSupport for general budgetsWork done prior to agreement