Project types
While the grants fund only capital investments, a wide variety of projects can fit the bill. Projects fall into four major categories:
- Land acquisition - Would privately owned property in your community make the next great neighborhood natural area?
- Urban transformations - Can a redevelopment project in your community go the extra step to integrate nature and habitat if more funding is available?
- Restoration - Is there a degraded stream, wetland or other habitat that needs to be restored in your neighborhood?
- Neighborhood livability - Can schools, parks or other public land in your neighborhood become a place for people to experience and enjoy nature?
Begin with a letter of interest
Contact Metro staff as early as possible to discuss your project ideas and get feedback on the project's readiness. Letters of interest are being accepted now through April 18, 2016. See below for instructions about what to include in your letter. At a minimum we'll need a cover sheet, project description, budget and completed list of potential matching resources. See forms below.
Metro staff will evaluate letters of interest and invite full applications if key criteria, eligibility requirements and the overall intent of the program are met. Full applications will be accepted only from applicants who have been invited to apply after submitting a letter of interest.
Timeline
Letter of interest | Now - April 18, 2016 |
Full application | Aug. 1 deadline, if invited |
Funding recommendation | November/December 2016 |
Who qualifies to apply
Neighborhood and community groups, nonprofit organizations, schools, cities, counties and public park providers are invited to apply. The applicant must match grant funds with outside funding or in-kind services equivalent to twice the grant request.
What qualifies as a capital project
Projects must purchase land or make improvements to public property that result in a capital asset with a life of at least 20 years and a total value of at least $50,000.
Get started
Contact Mary Rose Navarro at 503-797-1781 or maryrose.navarro@oregonmetro.gov to discuss your idea, get advice on project planning, connect with potential partners and hear lessons learned from successful projects.