SE UPLIFT'S COMMUNITY SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS THROUGH OCTOBER 18
Grants for projects that build community and increase civic engagement!
Communities become stronger when neighbors come together across differences to build connections to one another and create a shared vision for change. Through the SE Uplift grants program, groups with a project located in District 3, and/or that will serve the residents of the district, may apply for funding to help shape the places where they live, work, and play. SE Uplift provides support to help applicants submit a strong proposal and see their ideas through to completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations, community groups, and collaborative project teams. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
- Projects must take place in District 3.
- The applicant must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit tax-exempt organization as designated by the IRS, or demonstrate that they have a current fiscal sponsorship agreement with a nonprofit tax-exempt organization, or declare in their application that they plan to apply for fiscal sponsorship with SE Uplift.
NOTE: Groups that are registered only as a nonprofit with the Oregon Secretary of State do not have federal tax-exempt status. - Past Community Small Grant recipients must have completed their project and submitted final reporting paperwork to be eligible. Current Community Small Grants recipients must contact SE Uplift prior to applying to verify that they have made sufficient progress towards completing their grant project.
- Past Community Small Grants recipients who have been awarded two years in a row may apply only if they have a different project or separate project phase being.
Not a 501(c)3 non-profit? Learn about fiscal sponsorship options, including how to apply through SE Uplift, visit https://www.seuplift.org/fiscal-sponsorship/.
This year fund requests must be up to $3,000. Overall, we have a little more than $40,000 available total.
No. Grants cannot be used for ongoing general organizational support such as rent or utilities. Please refer to the eligible and ineligible costs section of application handbook for specifics. Contact the grants manager at grants@seuplift.org if you are unsure about the eligibility of costs.
Applications will be evaluated based on the Community Small Grants goals and criteria. The goals of the program are:
1. Increase the number and diversity of people who are engaged in the broader community
2. Build community leadership, identity, skills, relationships, and partnerships
3. Increase community impact on public decision-making
A volunteer-led Grants Review Committee (GRC) will score each proposal according to these grant program goals and criteria.
The committee will make funding recommendations to the SE Uplift Board of Directors in December.
Applicants will be notified of their funding status in early December.
The purpose of the Community Small Grants program is to fund projects that build community and increase civic engagement. Some examples include: street murals, mutual aid gardens, placemaking projects, focus groups, community conversations, radio programs, and more. Check out previous grantee projects for inspiration.
Search the address of your organization and/or your project site in Portland Maps, then look to see what district it resides in.
SE Uplift does provide fiscal sponsorship opportunities for successful applicants, as well as referrals to other organizations providing fiscal sponsorship. If the applicant is applying for SE Uplift fiscal sponsorship in conjunction with our grant application, the fiscal sponsorship application will be pending until final awards are determined. Note: The fiscal sponsorship agreement will apply only to the project for which the grant has been awarded.
No. If you need insurance for your event, please account for the cost of it within your budget. You may also partner with a neighborhood association and use their insurance for your event.
No. We will only fund one grant proposal per applicant per grant cycle.
Apply to be a member of the Grant Review Committee by filling out this GRC Application. All applications must be received by 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 18th. Additionally, keep in mind the following when applying:
- You MUST be available on Sunday, November 1st from 7-8:30 PM for an orientation
- You MUST set aside between 5-7 hours to review applications between November 1st and November 16th
- You MUST be available on Monday, November 16th from 7-9 PM to meet and score the applications
- You MUST NOT be affiliated with any group that is currently applying for a D3 Community Small Grant this cycle
- There is a $50 stipend available for being a part of this Grant Review Committee
More Questions? Contact the Grantmaking Program Manager at grants@seuplift.org for more info.
Apply Online (Preferred): Click to download the Word Doc version of the Application and Budget then copy and paste your answers into the application below.
· Apply by Mail: SE Uplift | Attn: Community Small Grants | 3534 SE Main St. | Portland, OR 97214
· Drop Off: Tues-Thurs, 10 AM – 5 PM | SE Uplift | 3534 SE Main St. | Portland, OR 97214
· Email: Send a Word doc or PDF to grants@seuplift.org with “CSG Grant Application” in the subject line. Click to download the Word Doc version of the Application and Budget.
If you need more information, you can find it here.
LIST OF PREVIOUS GRANTEES AND THEIR PROJECTS
Get Application Support
Community Small Grants Application Workshop (90 min)
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 @ 7PM via Zoom
Community Small Grants Application Workshop (90 min)
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 @ 6PM via Zoom
Get One-on-One Support
You may contact SE Uplift at any time if you have questions. Time permitting, we are happy to assist you at any stage in your process – from discussing your project idea to reviewing a draft application. Reach out early for consultation, don’t wait until the last minute. Contact grants@seuplift.org to schedule a conversation.
Applications Are Now Being Accepted! Submissions due by 11:59pm on Sunday, October 18th
GRANT SELECTION
Applications will be evaluated by a volunteer-led Grants Review Committee (GRC) who will score each proposal according to the grant program goals and criteria.
Want to be a part of the volunteer Grant Review Committee? Apply HERE. Applications being accepted until 11:59 PM on Sunday, October 18th.The committee will make funding recommendations to the SE Uplift Board of Directors in December.
Applicants will be notified of their funding status by December 15, 2026