Grants to Improve Well-being in the Black Community

Grants to Improve Well-being in the Black Community is a grant program from the Black United Fund of Oregon (BUF-OR) that funds grassroots organizations focused on serving Black and other communities of color throughout Oregon.

BUF-OR offers two main tracks: Community Impact Grants providing one-time awards of $2,500 to $5,000 to approximately 10 nonprofits per year, and a Nonprofit Leadership Incubator awarding $10,000 grants to four selected organizations along with a six-month capacity-building program that includes strategic planning, mentorship, and funder networking.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored entities with operating budgets at or below $600,000, based in Oregon. Priority is given to Black-led organizations. Applications typically open in late fall with decisions announced in spring.

BUF-OR also partners with Social Venture Partners Portland on an invitation-only Equitable Early Education Grant track.

Grant Opportunities – Black United Fund of Oregon Post-Secondary Options Menu Toggle Economic Justice & Development Menu Toggle Economic Justice & Development Initiative Emerging Entrepreneur Program The Business Showers Series – HairSpiracy Community Impact Menu Toggle Grant Opportunities Menu Toggle Nonprofit Leadership Incubator Sponsorship Opportunities Post-Secondary Options Menu Toggle Economic Justice & Development Menu Toggle Economic Justice & Development Initiative Emerging Entrepreneur Program The Business Showers Series – HairSpiracy Community Impact Menu Toggle Grant Opportunities Menu Toggle Nonprofit Leadership Incubator Sponsorship Opportunities JUMP TO COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS JUMP TO NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP INCUBATOR JUMP TO INVITATION-ONLY GRANTS BUF-OR offers unrestricted general operating grants to organizations whose work aligns with BUF-OR’s mission and giving priorities.

BUF-OR’s annual grantmaking cycle opens each year in the late fall with applications generally due in January for a spring decision. All questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Community Impact Director, Melissa Slanetz at melissa@bufor. org or 503-280-1978.

Similar to previous grant cycles, the Black United Fund of Oregon (BUF-OR) will again offer one-time monetary awards (standalone grants) to mission-aligned, grassroots organizations. For this fiscal year (FY26), BUF-OR will award approximately 10 nonprofits with grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000.

Nonprofit or community organizations holding a current tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code OR organizations fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a formal agreement in place, Organization aligns with BUF-OR’s mission and focuses impact on Black and other communities of color, Organization resides in and serves communities within the state of Oregon and SW Washington, Organization falls under BUF-OR’s definition of “grassroots”, meaning the organization’s operating budget equals or is below $600,000 (minus exceptions of the organization’s physical move to a new space or capital campaign funds), and Organization agrees to complete end-of-grant-term reporting.

Priority to Black-led organizations. Application Opens on BUF-OR Webpage: November 30, 2025 Grant Applications Due: January 31, 2026 Decision Notifications Sent: April 1, 2026 (all applicants will be informed whether they are awarded or denied) THIS APPLICATION WILL REOPEN IN FY27 Nonprofit Leadership Incubator FOUR selected organizations will be awarded a $10,000 grant along with enrollment in our Nonprofit Leadership Incubator.

The Incubator is an approximate six month commitment . Participating organizations are required to meet twice a month with independent learning conducted between meetings. This program is designed to accelerate the growth, stability, and success of grassroots nonprofits in Oregon that are led by and serve Black and other communities of color.

KEY DELIVERABLES OF THE PROGRAM 3-year strategic plan & 5-year projection A strong network of peers & mentors through the cohort model and expert-led workshops & 1:1 consulting A polished pitch deck for funding proposals All workshop decks & foundational materials A powerful Rolodex of contacts Opportunities to connect with new funders Nonprofit or community organizations holding a current tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code OR organizations fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a formal agreement in place, Organization aligns with BUF-OR’s mission and focuses impact on Black and other communities of color, Organization resides in and serves communities within the state of Oregon, Organization is currently less than 5 years old, Organization falls under BUF-OR’s definition of “grassroots”, meaning the organization’s operating budget equals or is below $600,000 (minus exceptions of the organization’s physical move to a new space or capital campaign funds), Commitment to SIX months of monthly consultations with three plus Advisors, monthly workshops as a full cohort (meetings are a mix of in-person and virtual), and 6-8 hours of monthly independent learning/strategic plan work, Organization is ready to scale their nonprofit, Organization is hungry for constructive information and accountability from experts in the nonprofit sector, Agreement to participate in four-plus in-person events, including the Kick-Off Event, Grant Writing Workshop, Pitch Presentation, End-Of-Year Celebration, and others as scheduled, Staff team or leader representing the nonprofit must be willing to conduct a public presentation, Organization agrees to check email frequently and respond in a timely manner to program communications, and Organization agrees to end-of-year grantee reporting.

Priority to Black-led organizations.

Application Opens on BUF-OR Webpage: February 3, 2025 Grant Applications Due: April 15, 2025 Decision Notifications Sent: June 20, 2025 (all applicants will be informed whether they are awarded or denied) Program Start: September 2025 Program End & Grantee Reports Due: February 2026 THIS APPLICATION WILL REOPEN IN FY27 Equitable Early Education Grant A program partnership between Social Venture Partners (SVP) Portland and the Black United Fund of Oregon (BUF-OR) We are excited to enter year three of our collaborative grant track this year that leverages both SVP Portland’s and BUF-OR’s resources to have a larger impact on organizations serving the State of Oregon and Southwest Washington.

With the goal of supporting grassroots nonprofits from Black and other communities of color that focus on equitable access to high-quality early learning, both organizations will be awarding two, mission-aligned, grassroots organizations unrestricted grant money. This will be a one-time award with invitation-only applicants.

About Social Venture Partners Portland Mission: As venture philanthropists, SVP Portland mobilizes skills, money, and influence to collectively build community capacity for solving problems together. How they make an impact: For more than 20 years, SVP Portland has made a lasting impact by uniting donors, volunteers, and community leaders to tackle our region’s toughest challenges.

As a group of venture philanthropists, we invest not only money but also time, expertise, and relationships to strengthen mission-driven organizations and amplify their impact. Our members serve as trusted advisors to community organization leaders, sharing their knowledge and experience in strategy, finance, operations, and organizational growth.

Whether it’s coaching an executive director, refining a fundraising model, or helping expand into new communities, we build deep, enduring relationships that accelerate results and create lasting, systems-level change. Today, our collective focus is on expanding access to high-quality preschool, especially for children who face barriers to early learning.

Since adopting this focus in 2013, we have partnered with 33 community-based organizations, helping them serve more than 9,000 children directly and reach over 30,000 through programs we’ve championed. Black United Fund of Oregon 2828 NE Alberta Street Portland, OR 97211 Thank you for your response.

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