Northwest Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Fund Grant

Northwest Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Oregon Community Foundation
Amount: US $3,500 - US $35,000
Last Updated: September 17, 2025

Summary

The Northwest Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Fund Grant, managed by the Oregon Community Foundation, supports the capital development and renovation of parks and recreation facilities in northwest Portland. This initiative prioritizes projects within the Northwest District Association, Northwest Industrial Neighborhood Association, and Hillside Neighborhood Association. Grants typically range from $3,500 to $35,000, focusing on enhancing community recreation and fostering public/private collaboration.

Overview

Northwest Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Fund Grants for the capital development and renovation of parks and recreation facilities in Northwest Portland. OCF's Northwest Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Fund awards grants in the northwest section of Portland, with preference given to projects within the boundaries of the Northwest District Association, Northwest Industrial Neighborhood Association or the Hillside Neighborhood Association. Fund History Recognizing the impact of highway and bridge construction on Northwest Portland, the state of Oregon and the city entered into an agreement in 1974 whereby the city leased property beneath the I-405 access to the Fremont Bridge, which was in turn subleased to generate revenues for a fund for the recreational needs of Northwest Portland. In 1994, the fund was transferred from the city to OCF, creating the Northwest Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Fund. Its purpose is to support the capital development and renovation of parks and recreation facilities in the northwest section of the city. From the fund’s inception, a citizen advisory committee advised the Park Bureau and the neighborhood associations about the fund’s use. With the fund’s transfer, this group became OCF’s Northwest Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Fund Technical Advisory Committee, which is responsible for recommending proposals to OCF’s board of directors for final approval. Introduction The Northwest Neighborhoods Parks and Recreation Fund of Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) invites proposals to fund the capital development and renovation of parks and recreation facilities in the Northwest section of the city. The eligible area includes neighborhoods in the northwest section of Portland, with preference given to projects within the boundaries of the Northwest District Association (NWDA), the Northwest Industrial Neighborhood Association (NINA), and Hillside Neighborhood Association. While there is no specific ceiling on requests, recent grants for projects have ranged from $3,500 to $35,000. Scope of Proposals Sought The Northwest Neighborhoods Parks and Recreation Fund will consider proposals for projects that make capital improvements to improve opportunities for community recreation, including projects that present opportunities for public/private collaboration and that leverage community resources including financial, volunteer and in-kind contributions.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Projects must be located in the northwest section of the city of Portland.Applicant organizations must be tax-exempt non-profit organizations with IRS determinations of 501(c)(3) status, schools, or agencies of government.Organizations that have received a grant in the previous year must submit the required grantee report by September 30 to be eligible for consideration of another grant.

Ineligibility

Project costs not considered eligible include operating and program support, routine maintenance activities, purchase of vehicles, transportation costs, and improvements of property with restricted public access to recreational opportunities such as private clubs.