Eligible Applicants
Community groups, businesses, non-profits, student groups, schools, faith organizations, neighborhood or business associations, and service groups within the City of Portland are eligible to apply. Government agencies may be eligible to apply under specific circumstances, please inquire with CWSP staff for more information about inter-governmental agreements.
Eligible Projects
CWSP grants will only support work performed in the City of Portland. Because Portland sewer ratepayers fund the grants program, all grants must benefit Portland residents. Projects must be easily accessible or visible to the general public and also show a clear public benefit.
Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- Youth leadership and job skills programs – Projects that provide valuable leadership and career development opportunities for young people while improving our environment.
- Environment Education and Art – Could include innovative workshops, curricula, creative writing, art projects, special events, or interpretive signs. Topics can include pollution prevention, native plant ecology, and local water resources. Creativity is encouraged.
- Pavement Removal and Urban Restoration – Projects that remove pavement or other impervious surfaces and replace it with native plants, gardens, or pervious pavement.
- Natural Areas Restoration – Projects that remove invasive species and plant native plants.
- Rain Gardens and Stormwater Management – Projects such as ecoroofs, rain gardens, or swales that collect rainwater from roofs and paved areas and let it soak into the ground.
- Community and Native Gathering Gardens – Gardens can contribute to watershed health in many ways. See the Community and Native Gathering Gardens section below for more information.
- Cleanup – Projects that remove trash from parks and natural areas benefit the watershed and turn neglected places into community assets.
- Monitoring and Surveying – Projects that collect data with a commitment to use it as part of a larger watershed enhancement project.
Eligible Costs
Eligible costs include but are not limited to:
- Materials and Supplies. This includes plants, mulch, soil, compost, tools, small equipment rentals, and gravel. Grant funds can be used for both food/edible plants and plants native to the lower Willamette Valley. Native plants must be included on the Portland Plant List.
- Refreshments. Up to $500 dollars can be spent on snacks and drinks for volunteers and work crews.
- Staff/Professional Services. This can include technical assistance, contracted services, project coordination, youth compensation, permits, administrative costs, insurance, etc.
Ineligible Projects and Costs
Projects that take the place outside of Portland and/or are related to required mitigation or penalty payments are not eligible for funding. Funds cannot be spent on:
- Insecticides or herbicides
- Alcoholic beverages
- Entertainment