The Events and Film Office at Prosper Portland has announced the recipients of its Community Event Grant, now in its second round. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 will support 37 events, including five that are film related.

The Community Event Grants are intended to advance the city’s economic and cultural revitalization through direct financial support, with desired results being:

  • Portlanders enjoy free / low-cost events throughout the city
  • Portlanders connect and engage with each other
  • Portlanders feel welcomed and a sense of belonging
  • Events create opportunities to share art, film, culture and community with Portland visitors and Portlanders
  • Communities and small businesses near funded events benefit from increased foot traffic and community engagement
  • Grants encourage event vibrancy in all communities to support Portlanders and Portland visitors

Commissioner Carmen Rubio said, “We’re investing in this work to increase economic impact, build community and create a more inclusive city. Both small and large local businesses feel the benefit of having more residents and visitors out and about; the community is safer with more eyes on the street. We are creating energy and vibrancy even as we continue to work on the larger challenges that Portland faces.”

Prosper Portland, Travel Oregon, and Travel Portland support this program. A six-person selection committee reviewed and scored 137 applications.  Of the 37 recipients, 80% identify as BIPOC; all the events are free or have an accessible pricing structure. The events will have an estimated economic impact of around $1.14 million (based on estimated attendance and how much an individual typically spends when attending an event, above and beyond ticket purchases, which is about $32/adult)

Grant recipient and Portland Indigenous Marketplace founder Lluvia Merello said, “Portland Indigenous Marketplace is a grassroots non-profit.  In 2023 PIM received an overwhelming number of denials and setbacks concerning funding. The Community Event Grant has literally been a lifeline for the community events that this organization hosts.”

October events (and producers) receiving grants include:

  • October 5, First Thursdays in Old Town, producer Paint the Town; subsequent events in February and March
  • October 6-8, The Sticker Movie Sticker Swap, producer PIXELATED IDEAS LLC
  • October 7, Burnside DIY or DIE, producer High Touch LLC
  • October 9, Indigenous Peoples Day Marketplace, producer Portland Indigenous Marketplace
  • October 14, Hazelwood Haunted Night Out, producer Hazelwood Neighborhood Association
  • October 15, Parkrose Trunk or Treat 2023, producer Elevate Oregon
  • October 20, Dandiya & Navratri Festival in Portland, producer Bollywood Dreams Entertainment
  • October 21, Where The Queers Grow, producers Lux Jacques, Ariel Weiser, & Marcie Caddell
  • October 21, Holy Sh!t Improv Series in Portland, producer Kickstand Comedy, (and subsequent dates in November, December, January, February)
  • October 28, Dia de los Muertos Community Celebration, producer Zenger Farm
  • October 29, Dance United: All Ages Festival to Celebrate Halloween, Diwali & Dia De Los Muertos, producer Dance United
  • October 29, The Science Fiction Double Feature, producer Carol Gates
  • October 31, Self Enhancement, Inc. Harvest Festival, producer Self Enhancement, Inc.

The full list of recipients is available here.

The Events and Film Office at Prosper Portland facilitates Portland-based events and activations, captures the film industry’s economic impact for the city, promotes Portland as a film location, and supports the industry’s success locally and internationally. The office showcases Portland’s cultural landscape and celebrates the diversity of Portland’s talent, businesses, and communities.

Working collaboratively with city offices, the Events and Film Office deploys grants and sponsorships to elevate the economic value of cultural programming and local production in our community.