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New grant program seeks to revitalize Portland by supporting promising events

Qualifying events can seek financial and technical assistance to “advance the city’s economic and cultural revitalization.”

March 7, 2024 • 
Cambrie Juarez
Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square is painted with large multicolored circles. People lounge in the sun in chairs scattered across the area.

Pioneer Courthouse Square has plenty of room for events attracting big, out-of-town crowds.

Photo courtesy of City of Portland

We already know Portland is full of fun things to do — but a new grant program seeks to share that knowledge with people who don’t live here.

The Prosper Portland Office of Events & Film teamed up with Travel Portland to create the Scale Up Grant Program for local events that could “grow and attract attendance beyond the Portland metro area.” Specifically, the program aims to support parts of Portland that have experienced large losses in businesses and employment, increases in office vacancies, and drops in foot traffic.

Grants of up to $25,000 — plus support for marketing, administrative, and other logistical needs — are available. To qualify, an event must…

  • have been held in Portland for at least two years
  • take place between July and December
  • be open to the public, including minors
  • last at least two days
  • have had 1,000-10,000 guests

Applications close Wednesday, March 27; the awardees will be announced in late May.