Vibrant Spaces Community Events Activation Funds - Application Details

Overview

This document provides additional information for the Vibrant Spaces Community Events Activation Funds opportunity. For more information, visit the opportunity homepage here. 

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? 

NOTE: Applications are now closed. 

Thank you for your application.  Applications for this funding opportunity closed on 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.

• 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 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.

Information You Will Need for the Application 

Part One: General Information 

The following questions will be asked in the Application: General Information area. 

• Application title: 

  • The application title should be one specific to your event, such as “Summertime Main Street Block Party.” 

• Primary Contact: 

• Organization: 

• Additional applicants: 

Press “Save Form Information” after each step (three times total.) You will then be prompted to “Submitted Applications” page. Select “Portland Bureau of Transportation Application” to continue. 

Part Two: Applicant Information (For Organizations & Individuals) 

These following questions will be asked in the application. The goal of these questions is to help provide a deeper understanding of how your organization or your community was impacted by COVID-19 and how these funds can support your community if received.   

• Are you applying on behalf of a (select one): individual, non-profit, for-profit organization  

• If you are applying as an organization, answer the following questions:

  • How many people are employed or contracted by your organization?   

  • Have you ever received funding from the City of Portland?  

  • Have you been economically impacted by COVID-19?  

  • If Yes to the question above, please share how you or your organization intends to use event production to recover from this economic impact.  

Press “Save Form” after completing this section. 

Part Three: Event Information (For Organizations & Individuals) 

This program is designed to support community programming and community events across Portland. These questions (that are asked in the application) will help us understand your plan for the funds and how it will support community engagement.  

• What is the proposed name of your event?  

• In what neighborhood do you intend for this event to take place?  

• If you do not have a planned location for your event, the City can match you with an available venue. Do you have a planned location?  

• Describe your proposed event.  
  Include who is involved, what the event is about, where it will take place, the proposed date, and other information you feel is appropriate.  (1000 characters)

• Who are the key stakeholders and community partners for your event?  
  Please describe their roles.  (500 characters)

• Is the leadership for this organizing group led 50% or more by BIPOC? (500 characters for more information.)  

• Is the organization of this event a cross-cultural collaboration between different communities?  (If yes, 500 characters for more information.)  

• Is this event free to attend, or is paid admission required?  

• Is this event culturally significant to the community? (If yes, 500 characters for more information.)  

• Will this event create an economic, health, or educational opportunity for either the businesses participating, or the people attending?  

• Please include any social media or website links for this event or for previous ones in the series.  

Press “Save Form” after completing this section. 

Once you are satisfied with both your Organization Information and your Event Information, press the orange “Mark as Complete” buttons on both sections. 

At this point you can select the orange “Submit Application” button. 

How to Apply (Applications now closed)

Step 1: Applicants must create an account at the City of Portland WebGrants portal.  Important: Application must be completed on desktop or laptop computer. You cannot access the application on mobile.

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. 

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 Process
• May 2, 2022 5pm Informational Session on Registration and Application Process

Contact  

Vibrant Spaces Community Events Activation Funds 

VibrantSpaces@portlandoregon.gov

9 AM - 5PM Monday-Friday

For general information about the American Rescue Plan see here.  

Vibrant Spaces: FAQ 

1. Can we select the amount of money we are applying for? 
   1. Applicants cannot specify how much funding they are applying for; the funds will be awarded based on the application. Funding support will range from $2,500 to $10,000 per applicant, depending on the length and complexity of proposed events.
2. My event takes place outside the city of Portland. Can I apply for this funding opportunity? 
   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. 
3. What are the reporting requirements for beneficiaries (funding recipients)? 
   1. After applicants have been selected to receive funding, they will be asked to complete basic demographic reporting for ARPA reporting purposes. The City will invite organizations and individuals receiving support to participate in after-event surveys and share their stories in the future.  There will be no receipts or spending reports required. 
4. How will selected beneficiaries receive their funding support? 
   1. Beneficiaries will receive a gift card mailed directly from the bank for their full allocated amount that can be used wherever debit or credit cards are accepted. 
5. Can I apply to activate multiple events? 
   1. Yes! This funding opportunity is available for both single-day/weekend and multi-session events (such as First Thursday/Last Thursday activations). 
6. My organization is not majority BIPOC, however I would like to share information about our diversity efforts. How can I do that? 
   1. All applicants are invited to share this information during the application process (up to 500 characters).  
7. My event takes place outside of the stated times of June 15 through November 1. May I apply? 
   1. This funding opportunity is only available for the date range above. Unfortunately, we are unable to make one-time exceptions to this rule. Future funding opportunities may be available. 
8. Is this application process first-come, first served? 
   1. No. All applications will be reviewed starting on May 10. 
9. My event is part of a larger festival or citywide event. May I apply? 
   1. Yes. Smaller events involved with larger events are welcome to apply for this funding opportunity. 
10. I have previously received funding from the City of Portland. Am I eligible for this round? 
    1. Yes, as long as you have completed all reporting requirements for your previous funding support you are eligible for consideration. 
11. Can I apply more than once? 
    1.  No. Only one application per applicant will be considered by the review panel.
12. Have additional questions? 
    1. If your question is not answered above, please email VibrantSpaces@portlandoregon.gov for support. 

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.  

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