Advancing opportunities for prosperity
We support property ownership and real estate projects that build wealth in communities of color and historically underserved neighborhoods. We focus on growing small and promising businesses, including minority and women-owned businesses and those in low-income communities.
Portland’s growing ethnic and racial diversity can and should be a competitive advantage in a globally connected economy; making our economy more inclusive is not just good social policy, but vital to the long-term economic success of our communities. This is the foundation for Prosper Portland’s goal to Foster Wealth Creation within Communities of Color and Low-Income Neighborhoods.
Prosper Portland supports the growth of innovative startups and scalable, fast growing companies in Portland. Recognizing that companies that start and grow in Portland are key drivers of the city’s economic and job growth, we seek out pioneering ways to foster the next generation of successful Portland companies and lead innovation for decades to come. A priority of this work is to improve access to startup and small business resources – capital, mentorship, and networking – for under-represented populations, particularly women, communities of color, and entrepreneurs from low-income neighborhoods.
Prosper Portland is dedicated to increasing the diversity of high-growth firms, improving the success rate and growth trajectory or local small businesses, increasing opportunities for property ownership among underserved populations, and ensuring that our construction and redevelopment projects support the growth of minority-owned firms.
Desired Outcomes
Inclusive Innovation & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem – Portland is nationally recognized as a leader in supporting and cultivating high-growth entrepreneurs from under-represented populations.
Business Growth – Thriving businesses provide wealth creation opportunities for Portlanders of color and within or adjacent to low-income neighborhoods.
Property Owner Development – Commercial and residential property ownership provides wealth creation opportunities for Portlanders of color and within low-income neighborhoods.
Equitable Construction & Contracting – Prosper Portland’s construction and contracting business practices support equitable wealth-creation outcomes from projects and programs.
Projects & Programs
These are just some of our projects and programs that help advance opportunities for prosperity:
Equitable Food Economy Collaborative
Equitable Food Economy Collaborative Contact: Shea Flaherty Betin, email The Equitable Food Economy [...]
Portland Means Progress
This initiative provides connections for businesses to hire local students and young professionals of color, purchase from businesses owned by people of color and create diverse workforces and vibrant company cultures.
Williams & Russell Project
The Williams & Russell project is a collaborative effort between a community-based Williams & Russell Project Working Group (PWG), Prosper Portland, Legacy Health and the City of Portland. The project involves Legacy Health returning to the community a 1.7-acre vacant block at North Russell Street and North Williams Avenue. Historically, the site once was part of a thriving community that housed the majority of African Americans in Portland and Oregon.
The Stash Tea Building Leasing Opportunities
Prosper Portland offers the Affordable Commercial Tenanting Program at the Stash Tea Building, a full block of commercial space in the prime West End area of downtown Portland at SW 10th Avenue and SW Yamhill Street. The revitalized building offers a variety of spaces to create a cohesive and complementary mix of tenants.
Lents Town Center Affordable Commercial Tenanting Program
Prosper Portland offers the Affordable Commercial Tenanting Program at two sites in the heart of the Lents Town Center.
Affordable Commercial Tenanting Program
This program reduces barriers to entry for underrepresented businesses, preserves small business vitality, and advances our goal to build an equitable economy.
Prosper Portland Business Finance Programs
Prosper Portland works with Portland businesses to identify business needs and eligibility for either our assistance programs or those of our partners.
Commercial Property Redevelopment Loan Program
The Commercial Property Redevelopment Loan Program provides financial assistance for property development or rehabilitation that furthers economic development in commercial areas or on commercial corridors.
Business Advancement Team
Prosper Portland’s Business Advancement Team is a catalyst for equitable economic growth. We help businesses grow by providing support and identifying opportunities that foster the creation of living wage jobs for all Portlanders.
Youth & Adult Workforce Partnerships
Prosper Portland's workforce partnerships create better access for Portlanders to connect to job training and opportunities.
Workforce Training & Hiring Program
Our goal is to ensure that Prosper Portland projects offer equal opportunity in employment and that those who have been historically underused in the construction trades have access to jobs through training programs.
Business Equity Program
Prosper Portland is committed to providing business opportunities for minority, women and emerging small businesses.
Tech Diversity Pledge
Increasing the hiring of women and communities of color in the tech industry is a challenge we're taking on collectively through TechTown Portland - a collaboration among our technology communities.
Startup PDX Challenge
The Startup PDX Challenge (2013-2015) focused on supporting entrepreneurs with diverse founding teams and the ambition to scale to a national or international market.
Inclusive Startup Fund
The fund provides early-stage investment capital and mentoring to local high-growth companies founded by underrepresented groups across a variety of industries.
N/NE Community Development Initiative Action Plan
The Action Plan guides the investment of $32 million in the Interstate Corridor urban renewal area to align with strategic goals that benefit the community.
Alberta Commons
Alberta Commons, anchored by Natural Grocers, is at a high-traffic corner and will bring new excitement to the neighborhood, offering small, minority-owned businesses the opportunity to participate in the retail mix.
The Portland Mercado
Prosper Portland's assistance to the Portland Mercado included grant funding and help with concept development and the business plan, representing a total investment of more than $1 million.
Community Economic Development
Prosper Portland takes a community-driven approach to creating thriving commercial areas, successful neighborhood businesses and equitable access to quality jobs throughout Portland.