Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant Program

The Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant Program by the Oregon Community Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that aid entrepreneurs, particularly those who are women, people of color, or from under-resourced communities. With $750,000 in funding available, the program focuses on providing flexible support to enhance business growth and sustainability. Organizations with a proven track record or innovative approaches are encouraged to apply for grants up to $25,000, fostering economic vitality across Oregon.

NOTE: As part of the decision-making process, applicants may be contacted via phone or a virtual meeting for additional information.
Context
For over a decade, OCF has provided grants to nonprofit organizations that support entrepreneurs across the state.
Entrepreneurs have big ideas and creative ways to solve problems. Still, they often need help developing their business plans, go-to-market strategies, recruiting talented teams or board members, and raising money.
Goals
The Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant provides an open, responsive grantmaking opportunity that offers organizations flexible funding, with prioritized support for those organizations that serve entrepreneurs who are women, people of color, living in under-resourced rural communities, or working in under-resourced sectors such as consumer products. Funding is not available for individuals; OCF makes grants to eligible organizations only.
Guiding Principles
We value Oregon’s diverse regions and populations, and seek to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion through our funding.
We are committed to funding across Oregon with grant dollars reaching our remote, rural, suburban, and urban communities across every region of our state.
We prioritize investments that creatively address needs and position entrepreneurs to thrive in Oregon.
We prioritize investments demonstrating strong community support, solid planning, and wise stewardship.
Funding Priorities
We know that funding needs will far exceed our limited grant dollars. Priority will be given to organizations with either a demonstrated track record of success working with diverse entrepreneurs or a promising approach and plan to serve entrepreneurs in a new way. Both experienced and new organizations are encouraged to apply.
Funding
OCF anticipates awarding $750,000. We aim to fund a mix of proposals in communities across Oregon and anticipate funding organizations serving diverse entrepreneurs.
All grants will be one year (12 months) in duration. Applicants may apply for programmatic support or project specific funding. Staffing expenses are allowed. Applicants should apply for the amount they need and describe why they need that amount, but most grants will not exceed $25,000.

Eligibility

General Organizational Eligibility:501(c)(3) organizations, Tribal entities, and government entities are eligible to apply. Additionally, other types of organizations may work with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor to submit an application. Applicants must submit formal paperwork confirming the fiscal sponsor relationship.
Organizations with an active Community Grant or any other OCF grant are eligible to apply. Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant recipients from past years are also eligible to apply.
Organizations may submit only one application for a Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant, unless they are an umbrella organization or a fiscal sponsor for a separate application.All nonprofit organizations based in or doing work in Oregon are eligible to apply.OCF does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ability/disability, age, status as a veteran, national origin, or any other protected class. Applicants for the Thriving Entrepreneurs Grants must hold similar standards in the provision of services.

Ineligibility

Projects in individual schools
Grants to subsidize participation (scholarships) or re-granting programs