Overview
The City of Portland's Events Action Table and Bureau of Transportation have teamed up to distribute American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for individuals, small businesses and nonprofits impacted by Covid-19.
The Community Events Activation Funds Initiative will provide direct financial support for those who build community event experiences, small business events and art activations with a priority on events led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and those centering cross-cultural collaboration. These funds are designed to reinvigorate community spaces across the city of Portland by increasing foot traffic, encouraging community participation, and providing opportunities for people to gather and connect.
Individuals, community-groups and organizations are all eligible to apply for this program.
In addition to providing financial support this program can help match applicants to venues (street plazas, gathering spaces, and other locations) where their event(s) can be hosted.
Status Update: The Application Review Period has Begun
Thank you for sending in your application.
Applications for this funding opportunity are now closed as of Monday, May 9 at 11:59pm.
All applicants will be contacted by the review panel by early June.
Please email VibrantSpaces@portlandoregon.gov with any questions.
Available Funding
A total of $470,000 is available. The City intends to award support in amounts ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the complexity and length of proposed events.
Eligibility - Who Can Apply?
Applicants can be individuals, community groups, places of worship, for-profit, and/or non-profit organizations
Applicants must be based in the City of Portland.
Applicants must indicate that they have been financially impacted by COVID-19.
Funded activities should take place between June 15 and November 1.
Funded activities should reinvigorate community spaces across the city of Portland by increasing foot traffic, encouraging community participation, and providing opportunities for people to gather and connect. If proposal takes place outside of the city of Portland, the applicant must demonstrate how it will directly and substantively benefit Portland residents.
Program Timeline:
- April 4, 2022 Account and application registration opens (completed)
- May 6, 2022 5pm Account registration closes (all applicants must create account by this date) (completed)
- May 9, 2022 11:59 pm Application submittal period closes (application period now closed)
- June 2022 Beneficiary notifications begin
- June - July 2022 Payments begin disbursement to beneficiaries
How to Apply:
Prepare for this application process by reading detailed instructions here: Application Details. NOTE: Application must be completed on desktop or laptop computer. You cannot access the application on mobile.
Step 1: Applicants must create an account at the City of Portland WebGrants portal.
Step 2: Accounts will be approved within one business day.
Step 3: Once the account has been approved, applicants can log in, navigate to ‘Funding Opportunities’ and complete the application titled “Vibrant Spaces Funding Opportunity 2022”. Once account approved, applications typically take 30 minutes to complete. Applications can be completed over multiple sessions.
Application closed on Monday, May 9th.
Review Process
All applications will be reviewed by a set of criteria centering activities with cross-cultural collaboration, BIPOC leadership, and a focus on reinvigorating community spaces, prioritizing applicants impacted by COVID-19. Support beneficiaries will be notified by late May of their acceptance. The City will invite organizations receiving support to participate in surveys and share their stories in the future.
Information Sessions: (Closed)
Two information sessions will be held to provide community members and organizations more information about this funding opportunity, application criteria and about the application process.
April 14, 2022 12pm Informational Session on Registration and Application ProcessMay 2, 2022 5pm Informational Session on Registration and Application Process
Contact
Vibrant and Inclusive Community Spaces Events
VibrantSpaces@portlandoregon.gov
9 AM - 5PM Monday-Friday
Need this Translated?
The City of Portland is committed to equity and meaningful access, and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, source of income, or familial status in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. To request translation, interpretation, accommodations, modifications, or other auxiliary aids or services, or to file a complaint of discrimination, contact 503-823-6786 or 311 (503-823-4000), for Relay Service & TTY: 711.
Traducción e Interpretación|Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch|अनुवादनतथाव्याख्या| 口笔译服务|Устныйиписьменныйперевод|Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad | Письмовийіуснийпереклад|Traducere și interpretariat|Chiaku me Awewen Kapas | Translation and Interpretation: 1-5-3-823-6786
Who manages this program?
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) operates this program in collaboration with the City of Portland’s American Rescue Plan Act team. PBOT is working with American Rescue Plan and leadership from the Mayor’s Events Action Table to be a community partner in helping business and organizations recover from the financial and cultural impacts of COVID-19 through streets that are activated, accessible, safe and inclusive.
How is this program funded?
The City of Portland has committed $2.3 million to this program. This money comes from the U.S. government’s 2021 American Rescue Plan local recovery funds. Portland will receive a total of $208 million from the American Rescue Plan and has until Dec. 31, 2026, to spend it. The City of Portland is spending money in three priority categories:
- Houselessness Response and Household Stabilization
- Small Business and Commercial District Stabilization
- Community Health and Safety
Read more about these investments in this article: American Rescue Plan: Investing in Portland. For general information about the American Rescue Plan visit portland.gov/united/american-rescue-plan.
Portland in the Streets | The City of Portland, Oregon (portlandoregon.gov)
American Rescue Plan: Investing in Portland
Results
The City of Portland is committed to sharing how American Rescue Plan Act funding supports Portland people, households, businesses, and community organizations. Check back for updates on the Vibrant and Inclusive Community spaces program.
See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback.