The Community Placemaking grant program, administered by Metro, supports arts and culture-based initiatives that strengthen connections among people and the places they value within the Portland region's Urban Growth Boundary. Metro is the regional government for the Portland metropolitan area, focused on long-term planning and sustainability. The Community Placemaking program particularly uplifts efforts led by or benefiting communities of color and historically marginalized populations. The 2026 grant cycle offers up to $450,000 in total funding, with individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
The purpose of the program is to fund creative, equity-focused community projects that use placemaking strategies to address local challenges and opportunities. Proposals should align with all five program objectives: placemaking, community stability, equity, partnerships, and leadership. In this cycle, operating support proposals are no longer accepted, and projects must be capable of being fully realized with the awarded grant. Up to 15% of the grant budget may be used for overhead expenses. All activities must take place within Metro’s Urban Growth Boundary.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits with tax-exempt status, public agencies, institutions, Tribes, and individuals or community groups with a qualifying fiscal sponsor. Businesses and individuals without nonprofit partners are ineligible. Past grantees whose funded projects were event-based may not reapply the following year. Fiscal sponsors must manage grant funds, submit required reports, and carry insurance. Grant activities must be non-discriminatory and adhere to federal civil rights laws.
The application opens August 15, 2025, and closes October 3, 2025, at noon. Applicants must apply through ZoomGrants, where they will respond to a series of application questions either in writing or via video. A required scope and budget section and at least one publishable photo must also be submitted. Optional supporting materials like letters of support or maps may be uploaded. Video applicants must keep their links live through December 31, 2025. Award notifications will be made in January 2026. Grant-funded activities may begin as early as March 2026 and must conclude by June 2027.
Applications are reviewed by a diverse advisory group with expertise in arts, equity, and urban planning. They evaluate proposals based on their alignment with program goals, impact, and clarity. Metro provides application assistance through info sessions, one-on-one support, and translation services upon request. The grant manager, Dana Lucero, is the primary contact for inquiries and support.
Proposals should align with all five program objectives; prioritize those executable with Metro funding; clarity and detail improve review chances.
