Peace-Building Grants

The City of Beaverton Peace-Building Grants are administered through the Center for Mediation and Dialogue (CMD), a community program under the City Services and Engagement division that has been serving the public since 1988. The CMD provides free conflict resolution and restorative justice services and education with a mission to provide conflict resolution and community-building services to create safer, more peaceful, and inclusive communities. The Center offers comprehensive services including mediation, facilitation, conflict coaching, training and workshops, and supports a restorative justice dialogue program, foreclosure avoidance mediation, and several specialty areas of mediation. The Peace-Building Grants are specifically designed to support events, projects or programs that foster peace in Beaverton communities. These grants can fund diverse initiatives including local conflict resolution projects, community events, or educational trainings. Examples of fundable projects include providing training for peer-mediators, purchasing books or other materials for community discussions about restorative justice, hosting facilitated dialogue events on polarizing topics, or implementing other creative peacebuilding ideas that serve the Beaverton community. To be eligible for funding, projects must meet one or more of four specific grant objectives. First, projects may support local restorative justice or conflict resolution initiatives that directly address community conflicts or promote healing. Second, grants can fund efforts that bring residents together in pursuit of a more peaceful, just, and equitable society through collaborative community-building activities. Third, eligible projects may promote dialogue and build stronger relationships between community members across different backgrounds or perspectives. Fourth, grants can support learning opportunities related to conflict resolution, restorative justice, or peacebuilding that educate and empower community members with new skills and knowledge. Applicant eligibility is broadly defined to include individuals or community-based entities with a strong connection to Beaverton. Qualifying applicants include volunteer mediators or facilitators, faith-based organizations, grassroots organizations, Beaverton students or school groups, and Beaverton Neighborhood Association Committees (NACs). Notably, 501(c)3 nonprofit status is not required for eligibility, making these grants accessible to informal community groups and individual community leaders. All projects must benefit the Beaverton community and demonstrate clear connections to the grant objectives. The grant program offers up to $1,500 per project or applicant, with eligible expenses including both materials and personnel costs. Material expenses can cover educational materials, printing costs, and other necessary supplies for project implementation. Personnel costs may include honorariums for facilitators, trainers, or other project leaders. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, providing flexibility for applicants to submit proposals when they are ready to move forward with their projects. The application process begins with an optional information session that interested applicants can schedule by contacting program staff. Once applications are submitted, award notifications are provided within four weeks of submission, allowing for relatively quick turnaround times. Grant recipients are required to submit a completion report upon finishing their funded projects to document outcomes and impact. For questions about the program or to schedule an information session, applicants should contact Lisa Fitzgerald, Program Coordinator, at Lfitzgerald@beavertonoregon.gov or 503-320-7699.

Contact staff to schedule information session; awards notifications within 4 weeks; completion report required