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PCEF seeks public comment on design of upcoming $67 million community grant cycle; share your input now through Feb. 6

Press Release
Help shape the next round of funding for PCEF's Community Grants. The program funds community-led projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance social and racial justice.
Published

The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) is inviting public input into the design of the next community grant cycle, which will launch later this year and award up to $67 million to community-based nonprofit organizations for climate work that advances racial and social justice.

The comment period is open now through Feb. 6. The public is invited to weigh in via a survey or email

“The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund is a homegrown program unlike any other,” said Sam Baraso, PCEF Program Manager. “With the proposals that this next Community Grants program cycle will fund, we are again showing what it means to work in partnership with the community to make our city more resilient, regenerative, and just.” 

PCEF guiding principles are focused on climate action with multiple benefits - justice driven, accountable, and community powered

Public input will be used to shape and refine the grant application, scoring criteria, eligibility requirements, and how funds will be allocated among five categories. Those include energy efficiency and renewable energy, regenerative agriculture and green infrastructure, climate jobs, workforce and contractor development, and transportation decarbonization. There also is a fifth catch-all category for projects that take other approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Community Grants are at the heart of the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, which was created by the community, voted in by the community, and works for our community’s future” said Angela Previdelli, PCEF’s Community Grants and Capacity Building Program Manager. “By sharing your insights, you help us understand how our requirements and structures impact organizations’ ability to carry out meaningful work and apply for grants successfully. Together, we can refine our approach to better support community-led climate justice efforts.”

The upcoming funding cycle will be the fourth since the community-led, voter-approved fund first issued grants in 2020. Community Grants are a core funding strategy of PCEF’s Climate Investment Plan, a five-year roadmap that guides grant-making through 2029.

PCEF is a voter-approved fund that collects approximately $200 million annually from a 1% revenue surcharge on large retailers doing business in Portland. The fund invests those dollars in climate action initiatives that support social, economic and environmental benefits for all Portlanders, particularly communities of color and people with low incomes. It is housed in the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS).

Since its inception, PCEF has conducted public comment periods for every grant cycle. Staff have reviewed hundreds of comments and held numerous conversations with community members, leading to improved processes and grant awards. The 2025 Community Grants public comment period continues this tradition. 

To date, the Community Grants program has allocated $202 millionfor 342 projects across 207 organizations for work that reduces carbon emissions, creates economic opportunity, and helps make our city more resilient as we face a changing climate. 

About the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability 

ThePortland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) oversees a world-renowned waste and recycling system and leads the country in its commitment to digital equityopen data, and protecting communities in the application of technologies. Staff collaborate with partners on neighborhood, economic, historic, and environmental planning and provide research, policy, and technical services to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as policies and actions to address climate change. The bureau also oversees the innovative Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF).

About the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund

The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) initiative was passed by 65% of Portland voters in November 2018. It provides a consistent, long-term funding source and oversight structure to ensure that our community's climate action efforts are implemented to support social, economic and environmental benefits for all Portlanders, particularly communities of color and low-income residents. The initiative was supported by a broad coalition of groups and individuals and represents the first environmental initiative in Oregon led by communities of color.

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