Community and Economic Development Grant

The 2026 Community and Economic Development (CED) Grant is administered by Lane County, Oregon, and funded through an allocation of state video lottery revenues. The program is designed to support economic development programs and projects that stimulate business growth, workforce development, and community revitalization efforts in Lane County. It specifically targets 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and incorporated cities that serve Lane County residents, communities, and businesses. Applications for the 2026 CED Grant cycle open on September 3, 2025, and must be submitted by 12:00 PM on October 8, 2025. A total of $200,000 is available for this round of funding. Applicants may request a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $30,000. Projects must be completed during the 2026 calendar year. Multi-year funding is not permitted, and prior recipients of 2024–2025 CED Grant awards are ineligible to apply for this round in order to broaden access to new organizations. The grant is intended to fund projects aligned with one or more of four primary objectives: increasing employment and/or wages in targeted sectors (such as healthcare, childcare, advanced manufacturing, and biosciences), supporting business innovation and entrepreneurship (e.g., accelerators or apprenticeship programs), providing technical assistance and training to small businesses or start-ups, and revitalizing downtowns and main streets. Applications that align with these objectives and demonstrate strong project readiness, clear performance metrics, and efficient use of funds are prioritized in the evaluation. Applicants are required to submit their completed application in PDF or DOCX format via email. Only one application per organization is allowed. Eligible applicants may partner with other nonprofits, for-profit businesses, or government agencies, but the lead organization must remain the main grant recipient throughout the project. Awardees are expected to submit a written Grant Impact Report by March 1, 2027, documenting outcomes and measurable impacts from the funded program. Additional documentation such as photos and video may supplement, but not replace, the written report. Grant funds may be used for both operating and capital expenses including staffing, rent, equipment purchases, or other project-related costs, provided they are clearly itemized and justified in the application’s budget narrative. In-kind contributions and leveraging of other funding sources are encouraged and may strengthen the application, although matching funds are not required. Salaried staff may be compensated from grant funds if their role is directly tied to project implementation. The evaluation committee consists of Lane County staff and representatives from partner agencies such as city planners and economic development organizations. Applications are scored on a 100-point scale across four categories: economic development impact, outcomes and performance metrics, clarity of operations and audience, and budget effectiveness. An additional 10 bonus points are available for applications serving underrepresented or rural communities and those adding measurable value to Lane County’s economy. Award notifications will be sent via email within 45 days of the application deadline.

Use SMART metrics; align activities clearly with program objectives using subheadings; itemize and justify budget; in-kind support strengthens application.