Oregon Community Foundation is accepting 2026 applications for the Northwest Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Fund, which supports capital development and renovation of parks and recreation facilities in Northwest Portland.
Funding and deadline
OCF states there is no specific ceiling on requests; recent project grants have ranged from $3,500 to $35,000. The 2026 application window is September 15 through November 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM. The current official materials do not state a time zone, so Atlas does not infer one.
Eligibility and geography
Projects must be located in the northwest section of Portland, with preference for projects within the Northwest District Association, Hillside Neighborhood Association, or Northwest Industrial Business Association boundaries. Eligible applicants are IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, agencies of government, or organizations using a qualified fiscal sponsor. Previously funded organizations must have submitted the required prior-cycle grantee report by September 30 to remain eligible for another grant.
Eligible costs and project requirements
The fund supports capital improvements that expand community recreation opportunities. The RFP encourages public-private collaboration and leverage of financial, volunteer, and in-kind resources, but does not state a mandatory match percentage or fixed cost-share requirement. Ineligible costs include operating or program support, routine maintenance, vehicle purchases, transportation costs, and improvements to property with restricted public recreational access. Projects requiring Portland School District, Portland Parks & Recreation, or other city-bureau approval should secure the applicable approval before applying.
Application and required attachments
The official 2026 application requires organization and fiscal-sponsor information when applicable, project narrative and evaluation details, a project budget, and the amount requested and secured. Required supporting documents include a detailed project/program budget, the current-year operating budget, up to two partner letters of support, and for capital improvements or renovations to park or city property, an authorization letter from Portland School District or Portland Parks & Recreation. OCF instructs applicants to submit the completed application and supporting documents to grants@oregoncf.org with the subject line NW Parks – Organization name by the deadline.
Atlas analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 58/100. This is a legitimate current Oregon capital grant with clear local eligibility and application requirements, but it is geographically narrow and has modest recent award sizes. N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The verified scope is parks and recreation capital improvement, with no defensible remote physical examination, guided-vitals, telehealth, or QC Healthcare use case. Publication and monitoring are appropriate; ordinary applicant outreach should be pursued only when a specific eligible Northwest Portland project and verified business contact are established.
Official source: Oregon Community Foundation Northwest Neighborhoods Parks & Recreation Fund.