The Prosper Portland Office of Events and Film is excited to offer a new grant opportunity designed to celebrate what makes our city one-of-a-kind!
This grant supports events that showcase Portland’s vibrant communities while bringing people together in the heart of our central city and neighborhood business districts.
Awards will range from $500 to $7,500 to support community-driven events and placemaking activities that communicate vibrancy, joy, and uniquely Portland culture to broader audiences.
GRANT OVERVIEW
- Link to Eligibility and Selection Priorities
- Grant awards are between $500 – $7,500
KEY DATES
- January 5th, 2026, Application available for submission on a rolling basis and reviewed during the review window*
- May 16, 2026 @ 5:00 PM, Last day to submit applications for events taking place by June 30
- Funding decisions are made within 30 days of reviewing the application.
*Event Application Review Window
- Applications must be submitted within the review window, which opens 120 days before your event date and closes 45 days before your event date. Applications submitted fewer than 45 days in advance will not be accepted.
Example:
- Event date: May 15th, 2026
- Earliest submission date (120 days before): January 15, 2026
- Latest submission date (45 days before): March 31, 2026
PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Events and Film Office provides grant funding to support events that showcase Portland’s best in food, sports, arts, music, and culture—while also boosting foot traffic and energy in the central city and neighborhood business districts.
- Program Goals
- Location Considerations
- Selection and Award Process
- Notifications
- Other Grant Requirements
FUNDING
Grant awards will range from $500 to $7,500, based on how well the application aligns with program goals and funding priorities.
Funding can be used in the following ways:
- Planning
- Marketing
- Permitting
- Operations
- Event Accessibility
HOW TO APPLY
- Determine your event review window
- (Event day) – (120 days) = earliest you can apply
- (Event day) – (45 days) = the latest you can apply
- Review eligibility and program priorities
- Review application requirements
- Prepare responses, data required, and documentation using the application planning guide.
Data Needed to Complete the Applications
Location, attendance data
- Date(s) and location(s) for the proposed event
- Expected attendance for your event
- Council district where the event will be held (Look it up here)
- Information for two examples of successful events you have held in the last 5 years. Including event name, website, year, locations, and attendance
Financial
- Total cost of the event
- List of all funds raised to date
- List of all city funding that has been awarded for the event that you are proposing
Other
- Event sponsorship materials or event promotional materials
- Hotel collaboration or partnerships
- List of event collaborators, sponsors, and partners who are confirmed
For questions about the application process, please get in touch with the grants team at OEFgrants@portlandeventsandfilm.com
APPLICATION RESOURCES
Link to application planning guide. Please note that applications must be submitted online using the digital application form.
ELIGIBILTY CRITERIA
- Event producer or host organization must be within Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, or Clark County
- Event producer or host organization must have experience producing public events
- Venue within the City of Portland confirmed
- Dates confirmed
- Minimum attendance 100 (or average of 100 per day)
- Maximum total attendees 7,500
- Must be open to all ages, open to the public, and be free to attend
- The proposed event is not already receiving other funding from Prosper Portland
Eligible Events
This grant supports public events in the City of Portland that are open and welcoming to a broad community audience.
Ineligible Events
- Fundraisers – Allowed only if fundraising is not the main purpose of the event.
- Business promotions – Includes sales, product launches, or grand openings.
- Networking for individual gain – The grant is intended to build community connections, not advance individual businesses or careers.
- Political* or religious** events
*Political events are not eligible for grant funding. For the purposes of these guidelines, a “political event” is an event where the primary or a significant purpose of the event is to:
- Solicit any money, influence, service or other thing of value or otherwise promote or oppose any political committee
- Promote or oppose the appointment, nomination or election of a person to a public office
- Promote or oppose the filing of an initiative, referendum or recall petition
- Promote or oppose the gathering of signatures on an initiative, referendum or recall petition
- Promote or oppose the adoption of a measure or the recall of a public office holder
** Religious events are not eligible for grant funding. For the purposes of these guidelines, a “religious event” is an event where the primary or a significant purpose of the event is to promote, support or engage in explicitly religious activities, including, without limitation, activities that involve:
- Overt religious content such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization
- Religious lectures, lessons and other religious education
- Distribution of religious publications, films and audio materials
- Restricting participation to persons on the basis of their religious beliefs
An event will not be considered a “religious event” on the basis that the event sponsor is a religious organization, provided that the primary or a significant purpose of the event is not to promote, support or engage in explicitly religious activities.
SELECTION PRIORITIES
Applications are scored based on alignment with the following priorities:
Location – Hosted in high-impact areas in the City of Portland, such as public spaces, the central city, or neighborhood business districts.
In addition to central city and neighborhood business districts, the following areas are funding priorities:
- Parkrose, Rosewood, Division Midway, and Jade District
Attendance & Experience – Attracts a large audience and provides opportunities to:
- Explore Portland’s key leisure and creative industries (athletic and outdoor, food, wine, makers/small businesses).
- Learn about Portland communities and cultures.
- Share joy, vibrancy, and uniquely Portland experiences (e.g., storytelling, photo-worthy moments).
Promotion & Reach – Demonstrates strong communication channels (e.g., dedicated social media, newsletter, website, professional photography) to amplify impact.
Local Business Engagement – Involves and supports local businesses.
Funding Access – Priority given to applicants who have not yet received Prosper Portland funding in the current fiscal year (though past recipients are still eligible if criteria are met).
Open to the public – The Events and Film Office aims to support events that draw a wide audience and contribute to accessible and inclusive participation.
Demonstrated Success – Preference will be given to events with a proven record of impact, ensuring that grant funds advance the program’s goals and contribute to the strength of the local event community
Visitor Appeal – Draws visitors from outside the region, boosts the local economy, and promotes cultural exchange.