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Residents

Community Enhancement Grants

This program supports projects that improve the quality of life for the Gresham community. 

The 2024-25 Community Enhancement Grant cycle is closed.

  • Who May Apply
  • Eligible Activities
  • Apply Now
Who May Apply
  • IRS recognized nonprofits and charitable organizations
  • Schools and institutions of higher learning
  • Faith-based groups
  • Local government advisory committees, departments and special districts
  • Individuals and organizations working with a fiduciary sponsor
Eligible Activities

Can include, but is not limited to:

  • Park programs and events
  • Senior programs
  • Youth programs
  • 5K community run
  • Job skills/work opportunities for the unemployed/homeless
  • Safety, cleanliness or appearance enhancements
  • Preserving wildlife and recreational areas for public enjoyment
  • Heritage and preservation of Gresham’s history

Eligible projects include those aimed at improving the appearance of a neighborhood, preserving the natural environment, enhancing public safety, providing recreational opportunity or benefiting under-served populations.

The Community Enhancement Advisory Committee allocates the grants.

Looking for funding for a cultural event? See our cultural events grant program page.

Apply Now

The application is now closed. For more information about the Community Enhancement Grant, please contact anna.snyder@greshamoregon.gov.

Program background and grant recipients

Program Background

Gresham’s Community Enhancement Program started in 2017 after the longtime waste collection site on Northwest Birdsdale became a solid waste franchise of Metro.

Metro gives the City $1 per ton for all solid waste collected at the station, which is awarded to community organizations as enhancement grants.

Metro’s community enhancement grants improve economic opportunities, neighborhood livability, public safety and more in areas with a garbage transfer facility.

2023 Grant Recipients
  • ARISE and Shine: ARISE and Shine Teen Club, $4,475
  • Boxes of Love Project, Inc.: Supporting Gresham's most vulnerable infants/children, $2,500
  • CASA for Children, Inc.: Critical advocacy for Gresham’s children in foster care, $4,000
  • Center for the Arts: Music Mondays on the Plaza and Wednesday Music in the Parks, $10,000
  • Family of Friends Mentoring: Expanding mentoring programs, $3,750
  • Gresham Butte Neighborhood Association: Peace plaza sculpture (Main City Park), $8,900
  • Gresham Historical Society: Gresham History Museum sustainable landscape initiative, $4,000
  • Growing Gardens: Gresham and Senior Center gardening, $2,000
  • Historic Downtown Gresham Business Association: Historic downtown beautification (flower baskets), $5,833
  • MetroEast Community Media: Summer technology pop-up camps, $4,642
  • Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon: Events to help underserved entrepreneurs strengthen their small businesses, $2,100
  • Mt. Hood Community College: Mt. Hood Jazz Festival, $5,000
  • Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra: Free concert in the park, $2,500

Total 2023 grant funds awarded: $59,700

2022 Grant Recipients
  • MetroEast Community Media: Summer technology pop-ups: $7,500
  • College Possible: College access program for undeserved Gresham high school students: $5,000
  • Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon: Second Home program to house students without homes: $6,000
  • CASA for Children: Recruitment and supervision of CASA volunteers advocating for children in foster care: $4,000
  • Day One Tech STEAM: STEMS Legos on Wheels Activity Trailer: $6,000
  • Gresham Center for the Arts – Wednesday Music in the Parks: Wednesday Music in the Parks Concert Series: $3,000
  • Urban Forestry Subcommittee: Healthy canopy invasive species removal project: $1,100
  • Highland Elementary: Highland Atrium Backyard Habitat Project: $5,000
  • Gresham Center for the Arts – Music Mondays: Music Mondays on the Plaza: $4,000
  • Youth Life Skills Academy: Wednesday Night Basketball: $8,000
  • Gateway-Gresham Elks Lodge #1805: Gresham National Guard Christmas boxes: $2,500
  • Historic Downtown Gresham Business Association: Street trees pruning in downtown commercial core: $3,125
  • Gresham Senior Center: Educational trips and classes for seniors: $4,975

Total 2022 grant funds awarded: $60,200

2021 Grant Recipients
  • Depave: Building a healing garden and fire pit: $5,000
  • IRCO: Pilot art/recreation programs for Pacific Islander youth: $5,000
  • Good News Community Health Center: Self-care classes for low-income seniors: $5,000
  • East Metro Arts, Culture & Community: Ambassador program at Nadaka Nature Park: $5,000
  • Beyond Black: Garden box project phase 3 multigenerational engagement: $3,750
  • My Father's House: Trash compactor for new jobs program, $3,750
  • Gresham Japanese Garden: Main City Park mural: $3,500
  • Extending Grace: Hispanic community outreach: $3,500
  • TherapyWorks NW: Barn repair for youth equine program: $3,500
  • New Avenues for Youth: Creating safe places for at-risk/homeless youth In Gresham: $3,000
  • Meadows Elementary PTO: Culturally specific books for Meadows Library: $3,000
  • Boxes of Love: Expansion of box program for foster babies at Mt. Hood Medical: $2,500
  • North Gresham Neighborhood Association: Picnic tables and benches for Kirk Park: $2,500
  • Restore Hope: Filled stockings for children in foster care: $1,000

Total 2021 grant funds awarded: $50,000

2020 Grant Recipients
  • Beyond Black: community mobile garden box project phase II, $5,500
  • Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon: Second Home program (two students), $ 6,000
  • Meadows Elementary Parent Teacher Organization: school courtyard garden, $2,000
  • Latino Network: Ballet Folklorico Corazones Alegres (22 students), $6,840
  • Sandy River Watershed Council: Mt. Hood Community College Beaver Creek day cleanup, $3,500
  • Gresham United Methodist Ministries: community mural at the Rockwood Center, $4,000
  • Gresham Ebetsu Sister City Association: Main City Park internet, $7,500
  • Sam Barlow High School: 5K trail run/walk and kids fun run, $3,000
  • West Gresham Elementary School Parent Teacher Club: remembrance book, $5,000

Total 2020 grant funds awarded: $43,340

Contact

For more information about the Community Enhancement Grants, email NeighborhoodServices@GreshamOregon.gov.