Technical assistance for Community Grants 2025
The Applicant Handbook is your primary resource for application requirements and guidance—be sure to review it thoroughly before applying.
We’ve designed a range of technical assistance resources to help you navigate the Community Grants application process. Whether you're looking for step-by-step guidance, expert-led webinars, or one-on-one support, this page provides tools to strengthen your application. Explore the sections below to find informational videos, technical assistance opportunities, office hours, and WebGrants support.
Application template documents
Use the following templates to draft your responses and collaborate with your team before submitting your application. These documents are for drafting purposes only—all grant applications must be submitted through WebGrants.
Technical assistance webinars
Our technical assistance webinars provide valuable guidance to help applicants strengthen their grant proposals. These sessions cover key aspects of proposal development, offering insights from experts and practical strategies to refine your application. Browse the recordings below to gain helpful tips and best practices.
Grant writing and budget development
Kristin Kelley Monahan of Kelley Nonprofit Consulting offers training and insights on the grant writing and budget development process for prospective grantees.
Regenerative agriculture and green infrastructure
PCEF staff offer guidance and best practices for applicants interested in the regenerative agriculture and green infrastructure funding categories. This session was filmed during our Community Grants 2025 kickoff event on Feb. 20, 2025.
Portland Parks and Recreation staff provide an overview of creating successful projects, important considerations when planning your projects, and best practices in the field.
Watch the recorded info session
Workforce and contractor development
PCEF staff offer guidance and best practices for applicants interested in the workforce and contractor development funding category. This session was filmed during our Community Grants 2025 kickoff event on Feb. 20, 2025.
Transportation decarbonization
PCEF staff offer guidance and best practices for applicants interested in the transportation decarbonization funding category. This session was filmed during our Community Grants 2025 kickoff event on Feb. 20, 2025.
Renewables and energy efficiency in single-family residential
PCEF staff offer guidance and best practices for applicants interested in renewable projects, including individual and community solar projects, as well as projects focused on single family residential energy efficiency. This session was filmed during our Community Grants 2025 kickoff event on Feb. 20, 2025.
Advanced Energy Inspections provide an overview of project scoping, best practices, and key considerations for applicants to consider when drafting their grant proposal.
Energy efficiency in multifamily and commercial buildings
PCEF staff offer guidance and best practices for applicants. This session was filmed during our Community Grants 2025 kickoff event on Feb. 20, 2025.
PCEF staff also hosted an additional training on April 15 and 16, 2025.
Community solar project
Community Energy Project, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and Energy Trust of Oregon provide an overview of community solar projects, the major project development milestones applicants should consider when drafting their grant proposal, and resources for additional support.
Watch the recorded info session.
Sign up for support
Application office hours
PCEF staff are available almost weekly for the duration of the open application period. The office hours are open to all who would like to ask questions of staff and listen to the questions of others in a group setting. Multiple staff from each organization will attend. Office hours dates are listed below.
These are not drop-in sessions. Please join at the start time.
Friday, April 4 - 10 a.m.
Thursday, April 17 - 12 p.m.
Wednesday, April 30 - 11 a.m.
Friday, May 9 - 1 p.m.
Thursday, May 15 - 12 p.m.
Wednesday, May 21 - 1 p.m.
Friday, May 23 - 1 p.m.
Contracted technical assistance providers
We offer free technical assistance to support applicants in developing strong proposals. Our contracted service providers offer two types of assistance: grant writing and budget development support for all applicants, and scope of work and project feasibility support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects (which has now closed). These sessions are designed to help refine your application, strengthen your budget, and ensure your project is well-planned.
Grant writing and budget development support
- We are partnering with Kelley Nonprofit Consulting to offer a limited number of one-time, one-on-one assistance sessions for applicants preparing a PCEF Community Grant application. Meet with an experienced team knowledgeable about grant seeking and grantmaking.
- Selected organizations will meet virtually with a consultant who will review draft materials, provide feedback on the grant narrative and budget, and offer guidance on best practices to strengthen the application.
- This opportunity is open to all prospective applicants, but space is limited. Priority will be given to small organizations (six or fewer full-time staff) that do not have a dedicated grant development position on staff or under contract. Please complete the interest form linked below by 5:00 p.m. on May 16. As the submission deadline is just around the corner, it is anticipated that if you have not previously signed up for one-on-one assistance that you will likely be added to a waitlist.
Energy efficiency and renewable energy technical assistance
- We partnered with a network of energy consultants to offer one-on-one technical assistance for PCEF Community Grant applicants that plan to pursue energy efficiency and/or renewable energy projects.
- This opportunity was open to all prospective applicants, and slots were available on a rolling basis until May 12, 2025. Applicants that have not previously received PCEF funds were prioritized.
- Selected organizations received up to two hours of consultative support, including a site visit when relevant.
Read previous applications
The PCEF Community Grants Applications Database is aninteractive tool showcasing all eligible grant applications received. To view funded projects, use the “Funding Recommendation” filter. This resource provides details on each project, including the organization, funding amount, and project type. By exploring the database, the public and prospective applicants can gain insight into the projects nonprofits are proposing and those PCEF supports, offering valuable inspiration and guidance.
Energy efficiency and renewable energy guidance documents
The PCEF energy efficiency and renewable energy resources page houses our guidance and requirements documents for projects that include energy efficiency and/or renewable energy scope. These documents include:
- Eligible measures: On this page, you’ll find three eligible measures documents—one for single family (including duplexes, townhomes, accessory dwelling units), one for multifamily, and one for commercial. These documents describe minimum requirements for eligible energy efficiency and renewable energy measures and how funding can be applied to other improvements.
- Renewables guidelines: This document describes the participation process and requirements for projects that include solar. These guidelines include considerations for projects that are pursuing the net zero funding option.
- Home retrofit guidelines: This document details the process for PCEF projects that include home retrofits.
- Installation checklists: These documents are available in English and Spanish and capture, in detail, steps to confirm that energy measure installations meet PCEF requirements.
Glossary of terms
Our Glossary of Terms is a resource that defines and clarifies terminology used within the PCEF program. Applicants can use this glossary to understand specific terms and concepts related to our work, ensuring accurate comprehension and application of program guidelines.
WebGrants guidance and support
This section provides an overview and resources for WebGrants, the online grants management software used for submitting Community Grants applications.
What is WebGrants and why are we using it?
WebGrants is an online grants management software. It is used by applicants, grantees, and grant managers for all phases of grants, including applications, awards, payment, and reporting. Our grant programs have transitioned to WebGrants so organizations and community members can access and manage all City grants in one location. WebGrants is a primary hub for required documentation and paperwork during throughout the lifecycle of grants, supports record-keeping and transparency, and facilitates coordination between grantees and grant managers.
How to use WebGrants
There are critical things to know when using the WebGrants system:
- The internet browser "back" button is not recommended. It will remove you from the WebGrants system and changes may not be saved.
- Make sure to click "Save Form’" regularly. The application does not autosave.
- Your application does not need to be completed all at once. You can stop working on your application at any time, save it, and come back to it later.
Because it will take 1-2 business days for your registration to be approved, the deadline to register for an account is May 18, 2025, just under two weeks before the application closes. The deadline to apply for a grant is May 27, 2025.
Watch WebGrants video tutorials on YouTube
How to register for an account
WebGrants supplemental guidance
Read how to register for a WebGrants account with step-by-step screenshots
Need support or have questions?
- Read the Applicant Handbook.
- Check our FAQ page, the fastest way to get answers to common questions.
- Need WebGrants support? Find resources on this page. If you still have questions, you can email pcefwebgrants@portlandoregon.gov.
- Please include the Form Title, Section Title, and/or Form Field your question(s) are related to.
- Please include screenshots in your email.
- Join our application office hours to speak with staff.
- Still have questions? Email us.