Multnomah County Voter Education Fund

The 2026 Multnomah County Voter Education Fund is a grant opportunity created by the Multnomah County Elections Division to promote equitable voter education and engagement on ranked choice voting (RCV) among residents in East Multnomah County. With the County preparing to implement RCV in its upcoming November 2026 elections, this program aims to ensure that all eligible voters, especially those outside of Portland who may be unfamiliar with RCV, are informed, confident, and prepared to cast their ballots effectively under the new voting method. The initiative builds upon the successful introduction of RCV during the City of Portland’s 2024 elections and reflects the County’s commitment to inclusive and informed civic participation. The grant program offers a total funding pool of $100,000, which will be distributed as four to five grants of $20,000 each. These grants are intended for 501(c)(3) community-based organizations that actively serve the East Multnomah County area, excluding the City of Portland. Organizations need not have prior experience with RCV or voter education; selected grantees will receive comprehensive training and materials from the Multnomah County Elections Division to support their outreach efforts. The focus is on empowering trusted local entities to deliver culturally and linguistically relevant education to their communities. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on serving East Multnomah County. Priority will be given to organizations with a proven track record of effective outreach to historically underrepresented or low-voter-turnout groups, such as Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian and Pacific Islander communities, individuals experiencing housing insecurity, non-English speakers, new citizens, and voters under the age of 30. Funded activities must remain non-partisan and may include canvassing, digital and print educational outreach, social media engagement, educational events, and training of organizational staff and volunteers. The grant performance period spans from May through November 2026. During the initial months (May–June), grantees will participate in training and finalize their outreach plans. Active voter education efforts will occur from July through November 2026, leading up to the general election. A mandatory all-day training session will be held on May 26, 2026, and grantees must commit to reaching at least 5,000 East County residents through their initiatives. Ongoing engagement with the Elections Division will include monthly check-ins and a final report due in November 2026. The grant application window opens on February 2, 2026, through the MultCo Marketplace (MMP), and all applications must be submitted by March 16, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. Organizations must be registered as suppliers in MMP to apply, and early registration is strongly encouraged due to the processing time required for access requests. Two virtual information sessions will be held on February 10 and 11, 2026, to assist potential applicants. Award notifications are expected the week of April 6, 2026. All inquiries regarding the program can be directed to Kristin Shorey at [email protected]. Further details and updates can be found at multco.us/info/voter-education-grant. The program’s structure, inclusive eligibility focus, and targeted outreach to underrepresented communities reinforce Multnomah County’s objective of promoting equitable civic access and participation in its evolving electoral process.

Focus on East County outreach, community trust, cultural/linguistic relevance, and underrepresented voter groups.