Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations who meet all the following requirements are eligible to apply for PCEF grant funds:

1. Designated by the Federal government as a 501(c) or 521(a) nonprofit entity.
2. Registered and certified with the Oregon Secretary of State as a nonprofit organization.
3. NOT on the Oregon Department of Justice list of Disqualified Charities.

Newly established or emerging groups who do not meet the 501(c) or 521(a) designation requirement, or eligible nonprofits seeking additional administrative capacity, may apply for a PCEF grant with a fiscal sponsor. A fiscal sponsor is an eligible nonprofit organization that provides necessary infrastructure and administrative support for managing a grant.

Region: Applications must have projects serving the Portland metro region, applicants don’t have to live in Portland but the projects must benefit citizens living in Portland, Oregon.

Notes: 2025 application period closed.

There are four distinct project categories applicants can apply under: energy efficiency and renewable energy, green infrastructure, regenerative agriculture, and transportation decarbonization. Applicants can apply for funding for a planning grant or an implementation grant, each grant type has its own funding cap and limitations.