The Small Community Initiative Grant

The Small Community Initiative Grant provides essential funding to rural Oregon communities, fostering enhanced quality of life and sustainable economic development. The program offers up to four annual grants of $10,000 to support local initiatives. It encourages community participation and collaboration among stakeholders to drive meaningful change. This grant prioritizes towns with populations under 15,000, emphasizing the importance of community-led efforts in creating lasting revitalization and connections to broader regional economic opportunities.

This initiative provides financial support to community groups in rural Oregon towns, working to help those communities create a better quality of life and build sustainable economic activities.
Once a community is approved for SCI, we will partner with the community’s efforts, providing up to four annual grants of up to $10,000 each.
Program Goals
The SCI values input and participation from many community stakeholders, including town residents, local business and government leaders, and regional economic partners.
Promote a climate that encourages citizen involvement, open dialogue and innovation;Prepare leaders to more effectively plan and implement local economic initiatives;Support sustained revitalization as a critical component of success; andEncourage small towns to think beyond size limits and actively build connections with regional economic initiatives and a wide range of economic partners.

Eligibility

Allows submissions from towns or organizations that feel like they are a close fit for the program priorities, but who are perhaps on the cusp of the eligibility criteria above. We understand that there are varying definitions of rural and unique circumstances around Oregon and are open to listening to any rural organization who feels like the program goals are exemplified in their work.