From potlucks to pollinator planting: Portland backs neighborhood projects

people being served food at an outdoor event

PHOTO / COURTESY CITY OF PORTLAND Some of the neighbors sharing a community meal at a recent mini-grant event in Portland's West End.

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By Tina Fischer

From community potlucks to pollinator gardens, the city of Portland has awarded 29 mini-grants to projects that could make neighborhoods more socially connected, sustainable, resilient, or inclusive.

“Our Sustainable Neighborhoods Mini-Grants program supports community-led projects, events and programs that foster collaboration and strengthen social connections among neighbors," said Troy Moon, the city's sustainability director.

“These efforts help build social resilience and enhance a community’s ability to respond to and recover from emergencies, natural disasters and extreme weather events.”

Accepted projects receive a check of up to $500, and projects have to be completed within 90 days of receiving the funds.

The first project, which took place last month, brought together residents of three West End buildings for a community meal organized by Community Plate, a Gray-based nonprofit that hosts suppers across the state where participants are asked to bring a dish and a story to go with it.

Some of the other awarded projects that have already created an event or will soon, include the Nason's Corner & Rosemont Neighborhood Fall Festival, the Munjoy Hill Community Oral History Project, Parkside Native Pollinator Planting Project and Libbytown Neighborhood Book Club.

Portland's Sustainability Office offers two kits to interested residents: a Block Party Kit, which contains lawn games and activities, and a Neighborhood Clean Up Kit, which has trash pickers, gloves and bags for people to clean up their neighborhoods.

Although the first funding round has closed, the city said it will share updates about upcoming grant opportunities.