East PDX Today

The City of Oregon City announced a total of $435,000 in funds available to the public through three separate grant programs.  

The three opportunities are the Oregon City Arts Commission Grant, the City Sponsored Public Event Grant and The Community Enhancement Grant. The funds will be distributed between May 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.  

“This is an unprecedented level of financial support being made available to multiple segments of our community that come together to make Oregon City better as a whole,” said Oregon City Economic Development Manager James Graham. “I’m truly pleased that we will be able to support a variety of community events, community improvements and art-related programs.” 

Oregon City Arts Commission Grant Program – The Oregon City Arts Commission Grant Program was created to provide funding to individuals and organizations based in Oregon City to support local art and artists, and to strengthen Oregon City’s standing as a community that supports the arts and art-related businesses.

There are two tiers of funding. The Arts Commission Small Grant Program offers grants from $250 to $2,499. The Arts Commission Large Grant Program provides funding from $2,500 to $10,000. The Arts Commission may award up to $35,000 in grants. The application period for the Arts Commission Grant program is March 20 – April 28. More information and the application are available on the City’s website at orcity.org/community/arts-commission-grant-program-2023.

City Sponsored Public Event Grant - Also for the first time, the City of Oregon City is offering grant funds to support public events that also contribute to the City’s theme of “Oregon’s Hometown. Welcome Home!” Eligible events will have a minimum of 1,000 to 5,000 visitors who attend from around the region. Both nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses may apply.

The maximum grant award is $20,000. The City may award up to $100,000 in grant funds. Learn more and find a grant application at orcity.org/community/city-sponsored-public-event-program.

Community Enhancement Grant – The Community Enhancement Grant is available on an annual basis and is open to nonprofit organizations and local government committees and organizations. The grant is the result of an agreement between the City of Oregon City and the regional government, Metro. Oregon City receives a $1.00 for every ton of solid waste brought to the Metro Transfer Station on Washington Street in Oregon City. 

Enhancement Grant projects must result in specific community improvements, such as positive changes in the livability of the community, the local environment and/or economic opportunity. These goals include improved cleanliness, improvements to wetlands, forests or other wild areas, or increased work and training opportunities, among others. 

This year, Oregon City will have up to $300,000 to distribute in Community Enhancement Grants. The maximum grant award is $50,000. More information and the application for this grant program may be found at orcity.org/community/community-grant-programs.

For more information about these grant programs, contact Ann Griffin, Economic Development Coordinator, at agriffin@orcity.org.

Original source can be found here.