Grant Resources
This list of resources is only a sample of what is available. If you know of any other sources for funds that should be added to the list, please let SDAO know and we will add them to future updates.
Some of the programs relate only to specific types of districts, while others are broad in there scope. Browse through the directory and see if a program can help your district solve a current or future problem.
Note: Before requesting any applications, contact the organization administering the program explain what you have in mind, and find out if you are eligible to apply.
Business Oregon
775 Summer Street N, Suite 200
Salem, Oregon 97301-1280
https://www.oregon.gov/biz/programs/homeareas/infrastructure/Pages/default.aspx
Type of Assistance: Grants
Infrastructure grants that most special districts are eligible for, up to $750,000. Popular grants include: The Seismic Improvements grant, the Water/Wastewater Financing Program, and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). CDBG eligibility is based on income and projects must either be located in an area that is economically distressed or the project must be designed serve primarily low- to moderate-income individuals and families.
The Collins Foundation
1618 SW First Avenue, Suite 505
Portland, Oregon 97201-5708
503-227-7171
www.collinsfoundation.org
Type of Assistance: Grants
Distributes in excess of $9 million annually, as follows: 26% to community welfare; 20% to children; 12% to education; 16% to arts; 9% to humanities; 9% to health and science; and 6% to environment. Accepts applications throughout the year. Applicants must hold 501c(3) tax- exempt status.
Cow Creek/ Umpqua Indian Foundation
2371 NE Stephens Street
Roseburg, Oregon 97470
541-957-8945
www.cowcreekfoundation.org
Type of Assistance: Grants
Distributes up to $15,000 per grant to a wide array of categories. Uses a very simple application process with two due dates per year. Proposals accepted from Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Coos, Josephine, Lane and Deschutes counties. Has a decent track record for awarding grant to quasi-governmental organizations and special districts.
Economic Development Administration
915 Second Avenue
Room 1890
Seattle, WA 98174
https://www.eda.gov/resources/economic-development-directory/states/or.htm
Type of Assistance: Grants
Grants are provided to help distressed communities attract new industry, encourage business expansion, diversify economies, and generate long-term, private sector jobs. Projects funded for water and sewer facilities primarily serving industry and commerce. Proposed projects must be located within an EDA-designated redevelopment area (RA). Projects must be consistent with an approved overall economic development program.
Emergency Rural Health Care Grant
https://www.rd.usda.gov/erhc
Type of Assistance: Grants
This program provides up to $500 million in grant funding to help broaden access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, rural health care services, and food assistance through food banks and food distribution facilities. If you wish contact us, please email us at: communityfacilities@usda.gov
FEMA – AFG
https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters
Type of Assistance: Grants
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is one of the most popular programs for Fire and EMS districts nationwide. There are three grants under this program (plus one COVID response grant that is temporary): the traditional AFG that funds vehicles, equipment, and training, the Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) that funds personnel and/or volunteer recruitment programs for up to 3 years, and the Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) program, which does community outreach.
FEMA – HMAG
https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation
Type of Assistance: Grants
Hazard mitigation is any sustainable action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to people and property from future disasters. Mitigation planning breaks the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation includes long-term solutions that reduce the impact of disasters.
The Ford Family Foundation
1600 NW Stewart Parkway
Roseburg, Oregon 97471-1957
(541) 957-5574
www.tfff.org
Type of Assistance: Grants
Prefers to fund in small rural communities with population of less than 30,000. With few exceptions, this foundation will not fund projects of governmental units, but has provided funding to special districts at the request of their voluntary governing boards-particularly in smaller communized. Generally, funds no more than 30% of a project’s full budget, see guidelines for specific details on each grant category. For Assistance Grants, the maximum grant size is $5,000 and requires a minimum of a 20% cash match. Pre-applications may be submitted at any time.
Historic Preservation Fund
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
725 Summer Street NE, Suite C
Salem, Oregon 97301
503-986-0690
www.oregon.gov/oprd/hcd/shpo/pages/index.aspx
Type of Assistance: Grants
The Oregon State Historic Preservation Office has funds available for archaeological and historic preservation projects. These funds may be used for surveys, inventories, and evaluation of historic and prehistoric resources. Grants may be used to nominate multiple property resources to the National Register of Historic Places.
Jackson Foundation
111 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 600
Portland, Oregon 97204
503-464-4920
www.thejacksonfoundation.com
Type of Assistance: Grants for Portland Metropolitan area.
Grants awarded for money to be used within the State of Oregon for charitable and educational purposes, and for the advancement of public welfare.
Local Parks Grant
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
Grants Programs
725 Summer Street NE
Salem Oregon 97301 503-986-0705
www.oregon.gov/oprd/grants/Pages/local.aspx
Type of Assistance: Grants
OPRD gives more than $4 million annually to Oregon communities for outdoor recreation projects, and has awarded nearly $50 million in grants across the state since 1999. The grants are funded from voter-approved Lottery money.
Meyer Memorial Trust
425 NW 10th Avenue, Suite 400
Portland, Oregon 97209
503-228-5512
www.mmt.org
Type of Assistance: Grants
General-purpose grants awarded for a variety of projects including human services, health, education, arts and culture, social benefit and environmental.
Northwest Health Foundation
221 NW Second Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, Oregon 97209
503-220-1955
www.nwhf.org
Type of Assistance: Grants
A nonprofit foundation that seeks to advance, support, and promote the health of the people of Oregon and southwest Washington. This one would be of interest to hospital districts and health districts.
Oregon Economic & Community Development Department
Oregon Community Development Programs
775 Summer Street NE, Suite 200
Salem, Oregon 97310-1280
503- 986-0123
www.oregon4biz.com
Type of Assistance: Grants
Grants and Loans focusing on economic development projects. Emphasis on water and sanitary projects that are essential for economic development.
Oregon Emergency Management
3225 State Street, Room 115
Salem, OR 97301
503-378-2911
https://www.oregon.gov/OEM/emresources/Grants/Pages/default.aspx
Type of Assistance: Grants
The Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) provides several grant opportunities to local and tribal governments to assist in preparedness and mitigation activities.
Oregon Forestry Department|
2600 State Street
Salem, Oregon 97310
503-945-7200
www.oregon.gov/odf
Type of Assistance: Grants
The grants are fairly small in size, call for information. Funds can be used for training,equipment, and management needs.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
725 Summer Street NE, Suite C
Salem, Oregon 97301
503-986-0707
https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Pages/GRA-overview.aspx
Type of Assistance: Grants
More than $13 million of grant funding is awarded each year to Oregon communities to support recreation on public lands. The grants help acquire, develop, improve, and maintain public recreation and facilities.
Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office
3565 Trelstad Avenue SE
Salem, Oregon 97317
503-373-1540
www.oregon.gov/osp/sfm/pages/grants.aspx
Type of Assistance: Grants
Financial assistance for fire districts. Additional information on website.
Oregon Transportation and Growth Management Program
Oregon Department of Transportation
555 13th Street NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
503-986-4349
www.oregon.gov/lcd/tgm/pages/index.aspx
Type of Assistance: Grants
GM Grants help local communities plan for streets and land use in a way that leads to more livable, economically vital, and sustainable communities and that increases opportunities for transit, walking and bicycling.
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
https://www.oregon.gov/oweb/grants/Pages/grant-programs.aspx
Type of Assistance: Grants
OWEB offers a multitude of grants for grants for a variety of watershed related projects.
Paul G. Allen Foundation
505 5th Avenue South, Suite 900
Seattle, Washington 98104
www.pgafoundations.com
Type of Assistance: Grants
Although this foundation is located in Washington State, it extends its grant making programs to Oregon. Additional information is available on the web site.
State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program | FEMA.gov
The Department of Homeland Security Notice of Funding Opportunity Fiscal Year 2022 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
Information Bulletin No. 478: Fiscal Year 2022 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity
Fiscal Year 2022 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program FAQ
Fiscal Year 2022 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program Fact Sheet
USDA Rural Development
1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 1801
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 414-3300 https://www.rd.usda.gov/or
Type of Assistance: Loans and Grants
Rural Development announces the availability of money for many of its programs in the Federal Register, through a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA). Please visit the website for more information.
US Department of Transportation
Oregon Division Federal Aid
530 Center Street NE, Suite 420
Salem, Oregon 97201
503-399-5749
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ordiv
Type of Assistance: Grants and Information
Authorizes Federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit.
