Nike Community Impact Fund Grant Program

Nike Community Impact Fund Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Oregon Community Foundation
Amount: US $5,000 - US $25,000
Last Updated: December 30, 2025

Summary

The Nike Community Impact Fund Grant Program, established in 2010, supports nonprofits and schools in the Portland area, focusing on promoting sport and physical activity. Annually, at least $550,000 is awarded to empower youth through play, fostering healthier and more inclusive communities. The program prioritizes projects benefiting underrepresented populations and encourages innovative solutions to local challenges. Applications are open to qualified organizations in specific Oregon and Washington counties, emphasizing collaboration with Nike employees.

Overview

Background Benefitting communities where Nike employees live, work and play. The Nike Community Impact Fund was established at Oregon Community Foundation in 2010. Through this fund, Nike employees work with OCF to award at least $550,000 per year to nonprofits and schools in the Metropolitan Portland region, the Northern Willamette Valley and in southwest Washington to give youth positive experiences in sport and physical activity, and advance healthier, supportive and more inclusive communities. Nike believes in the power of sport to unleash human potential and build community. It fuels this belief through Made to Play, its commitment to getting kids moving through play and sport so that they can lead healthier, happier and more successful lives. The Nike Community Impact Fund (NCIF) takes a collaborative approach to grant making by partnering with Nike employees to participate in the grant-making process and directly impact the local communities where they live and work. NCIF helps local organizations bring the benefits of sport to their communities, giving kids an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of quality play and active lives, and creating stronger communities where sports and physical activity are a highly-valued part of everyday life. Funding Priorities 75 Percent of grant awards support projects that promote sport or physical activity in the community. 25 Percent of grant awards support organizations and projects that address community challenges through innovative or proven community-based solutions Emphasis is placed on inclusive programs that serve underrepresented populations. Nike Community Impact Fund – Portland Metro And Northern Willamette Valley: 75% of grant awards support projects that promote sport and physical activity in the community. 25% of grant awards support organizations and projects that address community challenges through innovative community-based solutions. Nike Community Impact Fund - Community Store – Northeast Portland Only: 100% of grant awards support projects that promote sport and physical activity in the community.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applications are accepted from organizations that are a 501(c)(3) public charity, an IRC 7871 Federally Recognized Indian Tribe, or a government entity such as a school.Organizations must be serving at least one of the following ten counties: Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Yamhill, Columbia, Linn, Benton, Marion, and Polk Counties in Oregon and Clark County in SW Washington. Frequency of ApplicationYou may apply for one grant per NCIF funding cycle. You may receive only one grant per year from NCIF. If declined, you may resubmit the same project to NCIF only if key project components have been strengthened. If you receive an NCIF award, you may not seek NCIF funding for the same project for three years. Example: If you received an NCIF award in spring 2021, you may not seek funding for the same project until spring 2024. Applying to NCIF does not preclude you from applying to other OCF grant programs.

Ineligibility

Not Eligible for Funding:Organizations which discriminate based on age, ethnicity/race, political affiliation, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or other disability, or national origin Individuals (including scholarships, stipends, fellowships, and personal assistance) Group or individual travel Research projects Sponsorship of fundraising events Support for elite or private sports camps, programs, or teams One day events, unless the focus of the project is on program(s) leading up to a culminating event. Endowments, memorials, budget deficits, or fundraising activities Religious organizations whose programs do not have a secular and community focus Lobbying, political, or fraternal activities Capital projects unless Nike’s award would be the final funding needed Projects and events that occur prior to a Nike grant award (refer to grant disbursement date)Requests for which Nike is asked to be the sole funder.If an applicant is expecting to be granted nonprofit status soon and does not have a fiscal sponsor, the applicants is NOT eligible to apply.