Oregon Business and Commerce Grants

This grant provides funding to local governments, tribes, and nonprofits in Oregon to improve tourism infrastructure and promote inclusivity for underserved communities, boosting the state's visitor industry and local economies.

The Tillamook Coast Tourism Signage Grant in Oregon aims to support tourism business owners by covering the costs of updated signage, ultimately enhancing the visitor experience. This initiative is made possible by lodging tax revenues collected by Tillamook County since 2013, fulfilling a commitment to use these funds to improve the community. Over $10 million has already been allocated to various tourism-related projects, with an additional $1 million provided in marketing grants to nonprofits and businesses by the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association.

The Career Pathways grant, accepting applications from May 27 to July 5, 2024, is dedicated to increasing economic mobility and generational wealth by providing access to family-wage jobs, entrepreneurship, and small business ownership. The grant supports programs that facilitate skill development, offer wrap-around services, and support entrepreneurship, especially for minority- and woman-owned businesses. Prioritizing culturally specific and minority-led programs, it aims to serve communities facing systemic barriers, ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion in all initiatives.

City of Ashland Business Beautification Grant Program 2023 – Oregon: The City of Ashland is offering the Business Beautification Grant to support private investment in renovating and rehabilitating existing lodging and commercial properties within Ashland City limits. The grant provides financial assistance through a fifty percent (50%) grant match to non-residential property owners for exterior cosmetic improvements, outdoor lighting upgrades, code violation alleviation, sidewalk and infrastructure installation, signage or awning installation, landscaping, outdoor seating installation, and removal of non-conforming or illegal site elements. Eligible applicants must be current property owners or tenants of non-residentially developed properties within City limits with no outstanding debt to the City. All beautification activities must comply with City building and zoning codes and be performed by a licensed general contractor or service provider. Applicants are required to submit a minimum of two quotes for the project and adhere to all building and land use codes as applicable. More information is available on the City of Ashland website.

The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) is pleased to announce the Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant Program, an open and responsive grantmaking opportunity designed to offer flexible funding to organizations. This program aligns with OCF's mission to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion by supporting Oregon's diverse regions and populations. The Foundation is committed to funding across all regions of Oregon, including remote, rural, suburban, and urban communities, and prioritizes investments that creatively address needs and position entrepreneurs to thrive. The Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant specifically targets entrepreneurs who are women, people of color, living in under-resourced rural communities, or working in under-resourced sectors such as consumer products. The program's impact goals include providing flexible funding and prioritized support to organizations serving these priority populations. OCF anticipates awarding $750,000 in 2024, with each grant lasting for one year (12 months), aiming to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem for these underserved groups. Key priorities for the Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant include addressing clear and compelling business community needs, with goals relevant to Oregon's entrepreneurs, including small and micro businesses. Proposals that demonstrate cultural expertise of staff and board when serving specific populations, show meaningful leadership or influence from people with lived experience, reflect realistic goals and solid planning, and demonstrate strong potential to build organizational stability, effectiveness, or capacity are highly valued. Strong community support, a clear communication of OCF's impact, and a realistic plan for securing remaining funds are also critical considerations. The OCF's strategic priorities and theory of change are reflected in its guiding principles: valuing Oregon’s diverse regions and populations, advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion through funding, and prioritizing investments that demonstrate strong community support, solid planning, and wise stewardship. Expected outcomes include positioning entrepreneurs to thrive in Oregon and fostering positive, substantive change. The Foundation prioritizes organizations that primarily serve one or more of the identified priority populations, are reasonably positioned for long-term organizational viability, support OCF in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, and reflect a strengths-based orientation.

The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute's Community Partnership Program (CPP) is designed to cultivate sustainable collaborations with Oregon communities to address identified cancer needs. The program's mission is to partner with these communities as allies in the Knight Cancer Institute's goal of ending cancer. This aligns with a broader strategic priority to enhance community-OHSU collaboration on local cancer issues and disparities, fostering long-term sustainability of local efforts. The CPP targets various Oregon community groups, including organizations, schools, government bodies, health/medical clinics, health systems, and businesses. A key focus is on proposals that address cancer-related health disparities and increase equity for historically disadvantaged and/or marginalized Oregon communities. Organizations led by and/or committed to serving these populations are highly encouraged to apply, underscoring the program's commitment to equitable cancer outcomes. The program's priorities revolve around supporting communities in identifying and addressing pressing cancer-related needs, enhancing collaboration, and building community skills for sustainable long-term efforts. This is operationalized through three grant tiers. Tier 1, "Define Need," focuses on developing local action plans through needs assessments or committee formation. Tier 2, "Develop and Pilot," supports the development and piloting of programs to address priority cancer issues or disparities. Tier 3, "Evaluate and Sustain," aims to evaluate existing approaches and establish sustainability strategies. Expected outcomes include communities effectively identifying their most pressing cancer-related needs, increased collaboration between OHSU and local communities, and enhanced capacity within communities to sustain efforts addressing local cancer issues. Measurable results would be tied to the specific objectives of each tier, such as the completion of community cancer needs assessments (Tier 1), the successful piloting of new programs (Tier 2), and the evaluation and sustained implementation of effective approaches (Tier 3). The overall impact goal is to collectively work towards ending cancer as communities know it, with a strong emphasis on reducing health disparities.

The Ben Serafin Fund, established under the Oregon Community Foundation in 2007, honors the legacy of Ben Serafin—a notable community leader and founder of the Fall Creek Ranch Foundation. Residing in Glide, Douglas County, this fund annually allocates approximately $50,000 for competitive grants specifically aimed at supporting local service districts and nonprofits within Douglas County, with a preferential focus on organizations based in and serving the Glide community. The fund facilitates grant sizes ranging from $2,000 to $15,000, with possibilities for larger awards. The annual application window spans from June 1 to July 15, emphasizing projects that do not request multiyear funding. Additionally, the fund offers scholarships prioritizing graduates from Glide High School, extending financial support over four years with annual application requirements. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadline: June 1st to July 15th

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and nonprofit organizations for projects that improve tourism facilities and enhance visitor experiences in Tillamook County.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations in Lincoln County for projects that promote community and economic development, particularly those that create jobs and have measurable local impact.

City of Beaverton Small Project Grants 2023-2024 Oregon: The City of Beaverton is offering Small Project Grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support new or urgent projects, with a focus on emerging artists, BIPOC and LGBTQ artists, students, and organizations new to grant-making. The program aims to promote cultural diversity, community collaboration, economic vitality, creativity and innovation, community identity and heritage preservation, and public spaces that promote health and wellbeing. Eligible expenses include planning and personnel costs, professional services, materials and supplies, and maintenance. Eligible applicants include individual artists or collectives, school groups within Beaverton city limits, individual students, and non-profits. Deadline for applications is 07/01/2024. For more information visit City of Beaverton website.

The Clackamas County Public Health Division (CCPHD) Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) is offering a grant opportunity to independently owned convenience stores in Clackamas County, Oregon. The program's core mission is to mitigate the adverse public health effects of tobacco by incentivizing retailers to cease tobacco sales and transition to a business model that actively supports community health. This initiative aligns with broader public health goals of reducing tobacco use and promoting healthier environments, reflecting a strategic priority to leverage economic incentives for positive health outcomes within the community. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are independently operated convenience stores located in Clackamas County that are not part of a corporate franchise. These stores must hold a valid Oregon Tobacco Retail License and actively sell tobacco products as of the application deadline. The impact goal is to transform these retailers into pillars of community health by fostering environments that offer healthier product choices and reduce access to tobacco. This change is expected to lead to improved public health indicators within Clackamas County, particularly concerning tobacco-related illnesses and youth access. The program prioritizes supporting the transitioning retailers through various mechanisms. In addition to grant funding of up to $20,000, TPEP offers ongoing technical assistance from LivelihoodNW for business plan development, assistance with becoming authorized to accept SNAP and WIC benefits, connections to local producers for new product categories, professionally designed promotional materials, and earned media/community outreach. These comprehensive support services are designed to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the new, healthy business models. Expected outcomes include retailers experiencing increased profits from higher mark-up products, an expanded customer base, savings on tobacco licenses, and enhanced public perception. Measurable results will likely involve a reduction in tobacco sales outlets in Clackamas County, an increase in the availability of healthy food options in participating stores, and heightened community awareness of the benefits of healthy retail. The theory of change posits that by empowering individual retailers with financial incentives and robust support, a ripple effect will occur, positively influencing community health and inspiring other businesses to consider similar transitions.

Community Grant of up to $5,000, thanks to a partnership between Pioneer Connect and The Foundation for Rural Service. ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES Business and Economic Development Community Development Education Telecommunications applications GRANT VALUE We are accepting grant requests from $250 to $5,000. Ten percent of the total grant award comes from Pioneer Connect, which will be your sponsor when applying. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Grant proposals must be submitted using the format provided. Do not submit application in the form of a dissertation. Follow the outline as questions are asked. Not following the guidelines or incomplete proposals will not be considered. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 31, 2024 Awards are made at the end of the year, normally around Thanksgiving. To apply, submit your application materials below or email to [email protected].

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small advanced manufacturing companies in Oregon to help them meet federal compliance standards and improve their competitiveness for federal contracts.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Linn County to hire first-time teen employees, helping to subsidize their wages and promote youth employment during the summer months.

The Lane County Cultural Coalition in Oregon is offering Cultural Opportunity Grants ranging from $1000 to $10,000 for a year, funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust, to support projects that protect and stabilize cultural resources, expand public awareness of arts, humanities, and heritage, and increase access to culture, with a focus on access, awareness, and education in Lane County.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

This program provides financial support to Central Oregon farmers and ranchers for infrastructure improvements and professional development to promote sustainable farming practices.

This grant provides funding to local businesses and organizations in Portland's Central Eastside Industrial District to support public events and projects that enhance community engagement and promote the area's unique identity.