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Community Enhancement Grant Program
Applications are CLOSED!
The City of Forest Grove Community Enhancement Grant is funded from the Metro Community Enhancement (CEP) funds paid to the City of Forest Grove based on fees for each ton of solid waste collected from the Forest Grove Transfer Station. This year, the City is issuing four, one-year $20,000 grant opportunities designed to provide funding to a nonprofit organization for a project or program that makes a sustained, targeted impact in a priority area of community concern.
Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for Community Enhancement Grant funds with proposals for projects or programs that emphasize direct services, innovation and creativity, measurable outcomes, financial sustainability, collaboration with community partners, and other criteria.
Grant recipients are decided through the Community Enhancement Program Committee
2025 Program Funding
Total program funding available - $80,000. Offering four one-year grants of $20,000 each for 2026.
Community Enhancement Projects 2025 Grant Program Schedule:
- Applications opened August 4, 2025, and closed September 17, 2025
- Applicant interviews/presentations held on October 13, 2025, at the Community Auditorium at 5:30 PM. October 13 committee presentation mandatory for consideration
- Award recipients will be funded in January 2026, pending a signed agreement
- Award recipients will provide a written six-month update to the CEPC and a written one-year wrap-up report.
The Community Enhancement Program Committee (CEPC) awards grants to non-profit organizations, schools, institutions of higher learning, or local government interested in undertaking projects to enhance the City of Forest Grove. This Committee is comprised of the City Council, two residents, and the Metro Councilor. The primary responsibilities are to review applications, hear presentations from applicants, and help decide which applicant will receive grant funding.
The types of grants to be awarded for FY 2025-26:
- Total program funding available - $80,000
- Four one-year - $20,000 grants
- All projects must be within the City's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) or benefit citizens within the UGB to be eligible for funding.
- Applicants must be from non-profit organizations, schools, or City Advisory Committees to be eligible for a grant.
- Projects must not promote or inhibit religion or discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, or sexual orientation.
- Each project must meet one of eight Metro-approved goals listed on the application. Priority will be given to projects that best meet these goals.
- Each organization or group is limited to one application.
- Applications will be evaluated based on how the project enhances the values described in the City’s 2040 Vision.
- The applications will be evaluated by the entire CEPC which will make the determination on which grant applications are funded.
- Responses are limited to the spaces provided on the application. Additional information may be provided during the presentation of the proposed project. Every question should have a response. If a question does not apply to your proposed project, indicate this response in the appropriate space.
At the October 13 Community Enhancement Program (CEP) meeting, held at the Community Auditorium, the committee originally awarded four $20,000 grants to local organizations making a lasting impact in our community. Sixteen applicants participated in the presentations, and the committee deliberated and selected four finalists.
This year’s recipients include:
- Forest Grove Elks Lodge #2440 Backpack Program – supporting local students by providing weekend meals and weekly snacks.
- American Legion Washington Post 2 Veterans Tribute Part – helping create a dedicated space to honor and remember our community veterans.
- Family Peace Center of Washington County – expanding services and resources for individuals and families affected by domestic violence.
- Pacific University Longhouse project – providing a new, welcoming gathering and recreational space.
Following the initial award meeting, the CEP Committee identified a voting tabulation error affecting the final scoring. The Committee reconvened on November 25th to determine the recourse of the error, confirm updated scores, and take corrective action.
The Committee discussed several options, and as a result of the review, the Committee unanimously voted to award an additional $20,000 grant to:
- St. Vincent de Paul – providing utility bill assistance to families in low-income households.
Congratulations to all the recipients. A total of $100,000 in CEP funds will be distributed to these projects, reflecting the committee’s and city’s ongoing commitment to supporting community well-being, local service programs, and meaningful civic improvements that make a difference.