Small Projects and Community Events (SPACE) Grants

Blonde woman in a blue t-shirt that says Coyote Palooza kneels with a small fluffy dog.

    If you have a community project that meets our goals, apply now for up to $2,500 in support from our Small Projects and Community Events (SPACE) grants. We fund all sorts of projects including on-the-ground habitat restoration, tree planting, community or school gardening and garden education programs for youth, adults or families, and community nature events.

    SPACE grants are open! Read the guidelines and consider submitting a request. Awards are made monthly on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible applicants include nonprofit and community-based organizations, schools and educational institutions, local governments, and Native American tribes.

    Find out more and submit your application today!

    Applications are considered monthly on a first-come, first-served basis and should be submitted at least 45 days before the date of the project or event. Payments may be requested on an up-front or reimbursement basis.

    IMPORTANT: EMSWCD uses an online grants management system called ZoomGrants. The online application is now active.
    Click here to apply
    using ZoomGrants

    If this is your first time using ZoomGrants, please use this tutorial to get started:
    ZoomGrants Tutorial for
    SPACE Grant Applicants

    We hope you will find ZoomGrants easy to use and we are here to help. Questions?  please contact our Grants Program Manager, Heather Nelson Kent: Heather@emswcd.org.

    Download the SPACE Grant
    guidelines here

    Eligible applicants:
    • Nonprofit organization or group – 501 (c) (3) status is not required if you have a fiscal sponsor
    • Educational institution
    • Government agency
    • Native American tribe
    The project or event must meet these criteria:
    • Must address one or more of the following: soil health, water quality, water conservation, enhancing wildlife habitat, local food production with good conservation practices, and climate change impacts.
    • In addition, it must:
      • Be located within the EMSWCD Service Area (Multnomah County east of the Willamette River), and/or
      • Directly benefit residents of the District.
    The types of projects/events that are eligible for SPACE funding include:
    • On-the-ground natural area restoration or habitat conservation project
    • Sustainable agriculture or gardening project
    • Pollution prevention project
    • Sustainable stormwater management project
    • Engaging youth and/or adults in conservation themes and topics
    • Community event focused on improving the public’s understanding of natural resource conservation
    SPACE Program funding schedule and limits:
    • Maximum dollar limit is $2,500 per application.
    • Applications are considered monthly on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications should be submitted at least 45 days before the date of the project or event.
    • Submit your application via ZoomGrants. Contact us for assistance.
    • Payment may be made on an upfront or reimbursement basis.

    Note: Preference may be given to smaller projects and/or events for which the District funding is a significant portion of the budget and will make a meaningful difference in ensuring the success of the project or event. The general guideline is that the total project budget does not exceed $10,000.