Six grants of $2,000 each will be awarded by Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) for collaborative, community-based projects in Inner N/NE Portland.

What can a $2,000 grant accomplish? Last year, artist and educator Sharita Towne used an NECN grant to fund the groundbreaking “De-gentrifying Portland” project. A partnership among several N/NE Portland organizations, De-gentrifying Portland was a summer program for youth of color, which included training in filmmaking, a deep exploration of N/NE Portland history, and a standing-room-only public event to screen the students’ films.

“De-gentrifying Portland and all of last year’s grantees showed how much can be accomplished by a group of dedicated, creative people – with even a small amount of money,” said NECN grant coordinator Fran Ayaribil. “These projects brought together people and groups that hadn’t previously worked together, and ended up making important contributions to the lives of our neighbors and neighborhoods. NECN looks forward to funding six more, equally meaningful projects this year.”

Awards will be selected based on projects’ potential to 1) Involve and benefit a diverse, broad group of people; 2) Build leadership, identity, skills, relationships and partnerships – especially with and among historically underrepresented populations; and 3) Increase community capacity to influence public decisions and shape the future of Inner N/NE Portland.

• Applications due Monday, February 9
• Optional information session:  Jan. 29, 7pm at 4815 NE 7th Ave
• Full program information and the application