Funding Resources


Click here for technical assistance resources.

New! Cash for Conservation
Saturday, Feb. 20, 9am to noon
SW Community Center, SW 45th & Vermont

Representatives of local grant programs will be on hand to speak with landowners, and there will also be a session on grantwriting tips. Registration suggested at http://www.wmswcd.org/content.cfm/Events.

Grants are listed in chronological order of deadlines. Match refers to a requirement of additional funding through in-kind (volunteer) or dollar sources equal to (or some other value) the amount of the request. If you have any questions about funding or applications, contact the WRC.

Metro Nature in the Neighborhoods Restoration grants

  • Focus: individual, non-profit and government sponsored restoration, enhancement and education and efforts in regional watersheds
  • Deadline: Annually, in January
  • Match and limits- up to $25K, 1:1; over $25K, 2:1

BES Community Watershed Stewardship Program

  • Focus: to schools, churches, businesses and other community organizations for projects that protect and enhance watershed health at the local level. Eligible project types include restoration, education and monitoring, stormwater, naturescaping, and ecoroofs. Up to $3,000 of the request can be for technical assistance and project coordination.
  • Deadline: Annually, in early April
  • Limits: Up to $10K per project. No match requirement, but projects that include matches are more competitive.

SWNI Neighborhood Small Grants

  • Focus: Projects that increase community outreach, involvement and participation, including watershed issues.
  • Deadline: Annually, in early November
  • Limits: Up to $2K per project

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Small Grants

  • Focus: on-the-ground restoration projects on public or private lands
  • Deadline: Quarterly cycle - see http://westmultconserv.org/swcd/index.php?id=346 for Lower Willamette West's application and deadlines. Note: funds have been exhausted until the 2011-2013 biennium.
  • Limits and Match: Up to $10K per project; total cost must include a 25% match (e.g. $12,500 project total, $10,000 grant request, $2,500 landowner and/or in-kind)

West Multnomah Soil & Water FISH Grants

  • Focus: conservation projects, conservation education, and community events that promote natural resource conservation
  • Deadline: Quarterly cycle - See website link above to download application packet with deadlines
  • Limits: Up to $10K per application (projects may apply during more than one funding cycle)

West Multnomah Soil & Water CARE Grants

  • Focus: funding for technical design and/or engineering
  • Deadline: Ongoing - See website link above to contact WMSWCD staff
  • Limits: Generally up to $10K

Metro Nature in the Neighborhoods Capital grants

  • Focus: land acquisition or improvements to real property
  • Deadline: Ongoing/rolling basis
  • Match: 2:1

Other notes on funding:

  • There are many other funding sources for watershed education projects. Please contact the WRC for assistance.
  • Projects done in partnership with SOLV (Earth Day, Down by the Riverside) are eligible to apply for grants up to $100.
  • In the past, agencies such as the EPA, US Fish & Wildlife, and Oregon Dept of Fish & Wildlife have had funding opportunities aligned with water quality or habitat projects.