Westside Activation Grant
Who is this grant for?
The Westside Activation Grant is open to property owners, business owners, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood and business associations, and neighborhood groups located within the Westside Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District.
The purpose of the grant is to fund activation projects within the Westside TIF District to generate foot traffic, leverage additional investment and partnerships, and stimulate economic activity in the area. The goal is to fund a diverse mix of inventive public realm activations that will maximize the potential impact of the grant funding.
Public realm activation projects may include, among other things, physical improvements, program or operational support, and lighting or art installations. Projects must be completed within the District, be publicly accessible, and demonstrate a sustained public realm or economic impact beyond the grant-funded activity period, including a plan for continuation, maintenance, repeat visitation, business engagement, or measurable economic benefit.
Grant Details
The Westside Activation Grant is a new, one-time program developed to provide funding in the Westside Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District to support public realm projects and initiatives that will increase foot traffic and economic activity within the District.
Public realm activation projects may include, among other things, physical improvements, program or operational support, and lighting or art installations. Projects must be completed within the District, be publicly accessible, and demonstrate a sustained public realm or economic impact beyond the grant-funded activity period, including a plan for continuation, maintenance, repeat visitation, business engagement, or measurable economic benefit.
The total funding available is $500,000. Individual grant awards will range from $25,000 to $150,000. Requested amounts should align with the project’s scope, location, duration, and potential economic impact.
Grants will be awarded through a competitive process. An evaluation committee composed of Prosper Portland staff and community representatives will score applications. The highest-scoring applications will advance to a second round, where the committee will identify a portfolio of projects that will collectively generate the most activation and investment in the District.
Projects that show the strongest potential to generate foot traffic, attract additional funding or partner investment, and support retailers within the District will receive the highest scores. Reviewers will also consider organizational readiness, the completeness of the project plan, and the applicant’s capacity to successfully carry out the work. Applications should clearly demonstrate how the project meets or exceeds the following evaluation criteria:
- Generate Foot Traffic
- Encourage daily visitors to the District.
- Create community benefit and more reasons to linger in the area.
- Amplify existing attractions.
- Offer free or low barriers to participation.
- Leverage Additional Investment
- Create meaningful engagement with businesses, residents, and nonprofits in planning and implementation.
- Build innovative partnerships, opportunities for volunteers, and collaborative efforts.
- Identify matching funds, co-sponsorships, professional in-kind services and materials, and/or other creative ways to build on the Grant funds.
- Stimulate Economic Activity
- Link existing or new attractions to businesses to increase patronage.
- Engage local (District) contractors, subcontractors, vendors, and artists.
- Extend the project impact throughout the District and/or over a longer program/campaign.
- Organization and Capacity
- Demonstrate organizational capacity to complete the project.
- Standing within the District and/or partnerships with existing organizations in the District.
- Project Readiness, Feasibility, and Plan
- Feasibility of concept.
- Practicality of timeline and estimated completion date.
- Readiness of project to begin upon funding, including status of permits, vendors, and partnerships.
- Clarity of budget and identified funding gaps.
- Consideration of project life cycle, maintenance, and removal, as necessary.
- Innovative ideas to track and report increased foot traffic and economic activity.
This grant is available only in the Westside TIF District.
- Any person, business, or non-profit entity operating within the Westside TIF District
- Any owner of property within the Westside TIF District
- Members of the evaluation committee and their businesses or organizations
- Businesses that exclude minors during all business hours
- Businesses that sell cannabis products containing THC
Grant funds cannot be spent on the following:
- Food, alcohol, or cannabis products
- Inventory
- Ordinary operating expenses (wages, rent, utilities) that are not directly tied to the funded project
- Equipment unrelated to the funded project
- Costs outside the Westside TIF District or incurred prior to grant award
- Installations in private space that is not publicly accessible
- Religious or political projects or events as defined in the program guidelines
Applicants may apply online during the application window, which will open in Fall 2026.
Connect with us
Questions? Contact mannhardj@prosperportland.us
Para interpretación en español, por favor llame 971-393-8409.
如需中文翻譯，請聯絡 ruand@prosperportland.us
