2040 planning and development grants

Metro’s 2040 Planning and Development Grants program is a regionally funded initiative designed to support local governments, federally recognized Tribes, and unincorporated communities within the Metro boundary in Oregon. Administered by Metro, a regional government agency for the Portland metropolitan area, the grant program aligns with the 2040 Growth Concept, Metro’s long-term vision for developing livable, equitable communities. Since its inception in 2006, the program has awarded over $30 million to fund more than 130 projects. Funding for the grants is generated from a regional construction excise tax, which is assessed at 0.12 percent of the total value of construction permits issued within the district. Exemptions apply to permits under $100,000 and to nonprofit affordable housing projects. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis each quarter, with approximately $4 million in total annual funding available. The program offers two main types of grants: Concept Planning Grants and Planning Inside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). Concept Planning Grants are intended for cities and counties with urban reserves, to support the planning of future development in these areas in accordance with Title 11 of the Urban Growth Management Functional Plan. These grants help jurisdictions plan for infrastructure, community services, housing, and economic development in new urban areas. Planning Inside the UGB Grants, on the other hand, are targeted at projects that facilitate development or redevelopment within the existing UGB. These include plans for town centers, corridors, equitable development strategies, industrial readiness, and parking management, among others. Eligible applicants for the Planning Inside the UGB category include cities, counties, urban unincorporated community groups, and federally recognized Tribes within the Metro boundary. While applicant teams may include nonprofit organizations and other government entities, only eligible lead applicants may submit the application. Metro strongly encourages partnerships that engage communities and incorporate culturally responsive outreach, particularly with historically marginalized communities and those underrepresented in traditional planning processes. The application process begins with the optional submission of a Letter of Interest (LOI), especially recommended for Planning Inside the UGB Grants. This non-binding step allows applicants to receive feedback from Metro staff within two weeks of submission. Final applications must be submitted through the ZoomGrants online portal, which requires account registration. Required materials include a detailed narrative, a project budget, letters of commitment, a resolution of support (for concept planning grants), maps, and optional images. Metro evaluates applications in a multi-step review process. Staff conduct the initial eligibility screening and prepare recommendations for the Metro Chief Operating Officer (COO). For Planning Inside the UGB, an independent screening committee with expertise in planning, development, and equity issues reviews and scores the applications. The COO then forwards final recommendations to the Metro Council, which awards the grants in a public meeting. Projects are expected to undergo collaborative scoping after award before finalizing grant agreements. The upcoming application deadline is January 9, 2026, for first-quarter 2026 consideration. Although applications are accepted year-round, submissions are batched quarterly for review. The program is recurring on a quarterly basis, with future due dates and council award timelines outlined in the handbook. Contact for the grant is Serah Breakstone, the 2040 Planning and Development Grant Manager, who can be reached via email at Serah.Breakstone@oregonmetro.gov or by phone at 971-438-7410. More information and detailed guidance are available in the official application handbook PDF published on Metro’s website.

Submit LOI early for Metro feedback; Prioritize racial equity in community engagement; Clearly define scope and outcomes.