The Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board is accepting applications for the Scott Fairley Memorial Edge Grant during its August 1 through September 30, 2026 application window. The program supports innovative and creative projects that enhance economic vitality and opportunity in Oregon’s Eastern Oregon Border Region, and awards must significantly affect education, workforce, and/or economic-development capacity in the region.
Funding
Applicants may request up to $25,000. The current program handbook does not impose a fixed mandatory match ratio for this grant. Preference is given to applications with matching funds. Any matching funds claimed must be identified with the application, documented, and available before the first draw and no later than 45 days after award.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include residents, landowners, schools, businesses, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community groups located within the Eastern Oregon Border Region.
Deadline
The Board’s current funding page states that the fall application window closes September 30, 2026. Neither that page nor the current Oregon Community Foundation program page publishes a definitive closing clock time or time zone for this Scott Fairley round; the OCF page lists the application deadline as TBD. Applicants should submit early rather than assume an end-of-day cutoff.
Application requirements
The official fillable application requests organization and project information, project location and counties served, the Border Region need addressed, proposed work, results and sustainability, a detailed project budget, non-Board funding sources, and supplemental responses on innovation and fund-management capacity. Optional supporting materials include plans/photos and industry letters of support. A complete application requires an authorized signature and all necessary attachments.
Atlas assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 72/100. Schools are expressly eligible and the program requires a significant education, workforce, and/or economic-development impact. N9+ Fit Score: 4/100. The application budget includes broad project expense categories, including an Other category that can encompass furniture, fixtures and equipment, but the program does not specifically prioritize clinical care, telehealth, remote physical examination, guided vitals, or connected diagnostics. Any N9+ or QC Healthcare role would require a specific applicant-led project with a documented Border Region education/workforce/economic-development nexus and explicit confirmation of cost allowability.
How to apply
Use the Board’s official fillable application and consult the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board funding page. Program questions may be directed to Board Coordinator Emily Conlon at eoborderboard@gmail.com.