PCEF Community Grants Program

The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) 2026 Community Grants cycle is a funding initiative led by the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) under the City of Portland. Established to support community-led efforts that advance climate justice and sustainability, PCEF channels resources toward organizations rooted in equity-focused work, particularly those led by and serving communities of color and low-income populations. This fifth round of funding prioritizes projects that deliver measurable environmental benefits and socio-economic empowerment, aligning with the City’s broader goals for decarbonization, resilience, and environmental equity. There are two primary types of grants available in the 2026 cycle: planning and implementation. Planning grants are intended to support preparatory work, such as research, feasibility studies, community engagement, and partnership building. These grants cannot be used for actual implementation activities and must be completed within two years. On the other hand, implementation grants fund projects that produce tangible outcomes in areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, tree planting, regenerative agriculture, transportation decarbonization, and climate-focused workforce development. Implementation projects can also include planning components but must be primarily action-oriented, with a completion window of up to five years. The total available funding for the 2026 cycle is up to $60 million, with specific caps and allocations set for various project categories. Notably, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects will receive up to $31 million, with large and small grant caps at $5 million and $2 million respectively. Transportation decarbonization projects are allotted up to $12 million, while green infrastructure, regenerative agriculture, workforce development, and youth education each have distinct budget caps and grant limits. Planning grants across all categories are capped at $200,000, and general operations grants are limited to 25% of the applicant organization’s operating budget or $200,000—whichever is lower. Eligibility is restricted to nonprofit organizations that are federally designated as 501(c) or 521(a) entities, registered with the Oregon Secretary of State, and not disqualified by the Oregon Department of Justice. Projects involving physical improvements must be located within the City of Portland, while workforce and contractor development initiatives must benefit Portland Metropolitan Area residents. Organizations without nonprofit status may apply using a fiscal sponsor that meets the eligibility criteria. Applicants may submit up to two proposals—either two distinct project types (planning and implementation) or two different funding categories—with the stipulation that each application represents a coherent, singular initiative. The application process requires a thorough review of the Applicant Handbook, registration in the WebGrants portal, and alignment of proposals with eligible funding categories and spending restrictions. Applications must be submitted through WebGrants between March 25, 2026, at 10 a.m. and May 27, 2026, at 5 p.m. Optional resources include application templates and access to technical assistance materials such as guidance documents and recorded presentations. The review and scoring phase will occur during summer 2026, with award intent notifications issued in fall and final approvals anticipated by late fall 2026. Onboarding for selected grantees is expected to begin in winter 2026. Evaluation criteria and scoring rubrics are detailed in the Applicant Handbook. While not all specifics are outlined in the summary, applicants are encouraged to submit clear, comprehensive proposals that demonstrate strategic alignment with climate justice goals. For assistance or clarification, applicants may submit questions through the online inquiry form and can expect responses from PCEF staff within 5–7 business days. Further contact details include the primary inbox at CleanEnergyFund@portlandoregon.gov and the City of Portland’s information line at 503-823-4000.

Ensure application budget aligns with allowed expenses and funding caps; clearly define primary funding category.