PCEF Community Grants: Planning Grants and Implementation Grants is a program from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) that funds projects reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving climate resiliency while advancing economic, social, and climate justice for under-resourced communities in Portland.

The program supports both planning-phase projects and implementation-phase projects, with a focus on community-led initiatives that create economic opportunities and build climate resilience. Only nonprofit organizations, including those with fiscal sponsors, are eligible to apply. Grants support locally driven work rooted in justice, accountability, and community power.

Portland and the federal government Learn about our sanctuary city status, efforts to block federal overreach: Portland. gov/Federal View full size image of Community Grants PCEF's Community Grant program supports planning and implementation projects that reduce emissions and improve climate resiliency in ways that advance economic, social, and climate justice for our under-resourced communities.

PCEF's Community Grants program The Community Grants program is a cornerstone of our work, turning the vision of a just, community-led climate future into action. Rooted in our guiding principles of justice, accountability, and community power, this program funds projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create economic opportunities, and build climate resilience.

Through these grants, we ensure that historically underserved and underrepresented populations in Portland are leading climate solutions.

Whether improving energy efficiency in affordable housing, expanding access to regenerative farming, planting trees to cool neighborhoods, creating career pathways in the green workforce, or making biking and walking safer and more accessible, these grants empower organizations to drive meaningful change.

As PCEF’s primary grantmaking initiative, the program funds both planning and implementation projects, ensuring organizations have the resources to develop and carry out community-led climate solutions. By prioritizing PCEF priority populations , the program helps ensure that the benefits of climate action are accessible, equitable, and impactful for all Portlanders.

Planning Grants help organizations lay the groundwork for future projects by funding activities such as research, feasibility assessments, community outreach, and partnership building. These grants provide resources for organizations to develop strong, community-informed project proposals.

Implementation Grants support projects that advance economic, social, and climate justice through both physical improvements (e.g., weatherization, solar installations, tree planting, regenerative agriculture) and non-physical activities (e.g., workforce training, active transportation programming). Funding can be used for staff time, contracted work, equipment, materials, supplies, overhead, and other necessary project costs.

View full size image of Two people adding comments to an easel board. A combination of planning grants, and both small and large implementation grants are awarded from each grant cycle. Each funding area has small and large grant caps.

The application and review process for small and large implementation grants are identical. We set target numbers by grant size to ensure a mix of small and large projects are selected and to ensure space for smaller organizations. Planning grants have a shorter application and the same review process , but have a shorter grant term.

Proposed projects must fall under one or multiple of the following categories, though each application must identify a primary funding area when applying: energy efficiency and renewable energy, transportation decarbonization, regenerative agriculture, green infrastructure, workforce and contractor development, and other projects that reduce emissions. Energy efficiency and renewable energy.

This funding category supports renewable energy, energy storage, and efficiency projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while benefiting low-income Portland residents. Grants fund projects such as community solar projects, clean energy upgrades for single-family homes, energy efficiency improvements in affordable multifamily housing, and nonprofit-owned or occupied buildings.

Additional investments may include other renewable energy and efficiency projects that align with PCEF’s goals of reducing emissions and advancing social and economic justice. Regenerative agriculture. This funding category includes projects that improve access to local food, fibers, and materials using practices that sequester carbon in the soil and support a healthier urban environment.

Regenerative agriculture supports the City’s carbon sequestration efforts through agricultural practices that increase the capacity of soils to store carbon by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity. Green infrastructure. This funding category supports projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing important ecological benefits.

Grants may fund activities such as habitat restoration, depaving of impermeable surfaces, and planting trees to create healthier urban environments. A portion of funding is specifically dedicated to projects along the 82nd Avenue corridor enhance climate resilience in this area. Workforce and contractor development (WCD).

This funding category expands access to climate careers through job training, contractor support, and youth education. Grants fund pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and workforce programs that create pathways into clean energy and construction trades. Funding also supports technical assistance and business grants for diverse contractors, as well as youth programs that build awareness of climate careers.

Transportation decarbonization. This funding category supports projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by investing in electric vehicle infrastructure, fleet electrification, and active transportation options like biking, walking, and transit access.

Grants may fund initiatives such as community EV charging stations, e-bike lending programs, pedestrian safety programs, and efforts to expand transit accessibility. Other. This funding category supports projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance social and economic justice but do not fit within PCEF’s primary funding areas.

Grants may fund community-led initiatives, pilot programs, or emerging climate solutions that align with PCEF’s mission. These projects provide flexibility for organizations to address climate challenges in creative ways. View full size image of Family of three, two adults and a child.

PCEF priority populations PCEF focuses investments in climate action by giving priority to people that have been historically under-resourced by sustainability, climate action, and clean energy programs. These groups are known as priority populations.

By ensuring these populations benefit from grant-funded projects, the Community Grants program helps make climate action more accessible, equitable, and impactful for those who have historically been excluded from sustainability and clean energy opportunities.

PCEF Community Grants are available to nonprofit organizations that meet the following eligibility requirements: Be designated as a 501(c) or 521(a) nonprofit entity by the federal government. Be registered and certified as a nonprofit with the Oregon Secretary of State. Not be listed on the Oregon Department of Justice’s Disqualified Charities list.

While nonprofits do not need to be based in Portland, projects involving physical improvements must take place within the city, and workforce and contractor development projects must be in the Portland Metropolitan Area. Organizations that do not yet have nonprofit status can apply with the support of a fiscal sponsor—an eligible nonprofit that helps manage the grant on their behalf.

View full size image of Three people talking, blue cloudy background. 2026 Community Grants cycle Looking to learn more about our current 2026 Community Grants cycle, and how to participate? Visit our 2026 Community Grants cycle page Read previous applications The PCEF Community Grants program application portal is an interactive tool showcasing all eligible grant applications received.

To view funded projects, use the “Funding Recommendation” filter. This resource provides details on each project, including the organization, funding amount, and project type. By exploring the database, the public and prospective applicants can gain insight into the projects nonprofits are proposing and those PCEF supports, offering valuable inspiration and guidance.

Follow the link below to view our most recent funding cycle, including awarded projects. Visit our 2025 Community Grants cycle page The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) is committed to providing meaningful access to our information and materials to all Portlanders. We recognize that people interested in PCEF may have different interests and needs.

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