Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R) will provide free or discounted space use between September 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026 to individuals, groups, clubs, and organizations providing free and accessible programming in alignment with Parks Levy Goals. Applications for these space grants will be accepted through June 28, 2025.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and must be submitted by:

DEADLINE: June 28, 11:59 pm.

NOTIFICATION OF AWARDS

Applicants will be notified before August 15, 2025 if they have been approved for free or discounted space in community or art centers for programming that will occur between September 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.

Once approved for free or discounted space use, organizations will be matched with community or art centers if space is available. Space is limited, and approval does not guarantee space use.

Space use partnerships are for recurring programming only (not one-time events or celebrations).

This space use partnership program is supported by the Parks Levy.

Space Use Partnerships

Under a space use partnership, a partner organization provides service to the community in a PP&R facility. The fee for space use is waived or reduced. The partner program is not directed by PP&R. The program is supported by PP&R because it fills a service gap and meets an identified community need.

Space Use Partnerships will be given to those who best demonstrate in their proposal how the project or program will serve communities who are underserved, specifically:

• Black People, Indigenous People, or People of Color,
• Immigrants and Refugees,
• People earning low income,
• Teens,
• Seniors,
• People living with disabilities,
• LGBTQIA2S+ communities.

Space Use Partnership Renewal for Current Partners

Organizations may be awarded space use partnerships for up to three years. To be considered for a 2nd or 3rd year of space use partnership, organizations must submit both a new application each year, as well as a space use report.

Space Use Partnership Permits

Awardees will be notified of the discount rate (full or partial) based on the overall proposal cost to PP&R including staff time (if any), etc. All approved applicants for free or discounted space use will be required to sign a PP&R permit as part of accepting the award. The permit would stipulate fees and security deposits (if any), policies, and liability insurance if applicable.

Parks Levy Alignment

Priority will be given to proposals that best align with the Parks Levy priorities related to equitably serving diverse populations in our community. Full information on the Parks Levy may be found at www.portland.gov/parks/parks-levy. All people included in the project (excluding spectators) must be current residents of the City of Portland. In addition, this program requires demographic information of the users of the space or service program, and an exit survey from the applicant.

Priority Focus Areas for Space Use Partnerships

Select focus areas options for space use partnership opportunities are listed below. Other focus areas will also be considered.

• Adaptive & inclusive recreation programming
• Adult classes and programming
• African Drumming
• Art night for families
• Ballet folkloric and other culturally specific dance classes
• Barber/Hair Stylist classes and instruction
• Black and Indigenous leadership classes and programming
• Cooking classes
• Culturally specific and culturally responsive arts programming
• Culturally specific and culturally responsive fitness programming
• Drama/performing arts
• English/Spanish and other Language classes
• Financial literacy classes
• Girls basketball
• Hip hop dance class for elementary-aged youth
• Indoor murals
• Lifelong recreation
• Music programs and lessons
• Robotics
• Rowing/Dragon Boats
• Self-defense class for adults
• STEAM night for families
• Swim lesson partnerships
• Tree care, and harvesting fruit classes or workshops
• Tutoring program that supports reading, writing, and math
• Yoga for adults
• Youth bike class/riding lessons
• Zumba for adults

Note:

Mt. Scott Community Center will re-open fall 2025 and will have opportunities for both space use and contract partnerships. If you are interested in these opportunities, please select Mt. Scott Community Center under Location Request.

IMPORTANT TIPS:

Save your work! Avoid losing your submission to technical issues. Please draft answers to the report questions in a separate file that you can save. Then input them into this online report.

MEANINGFUL ACCESS AND NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE

The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities and reasonably provides translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids, and services. To request these services, for more information on nondiscrimination requirements, or if any person believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice and would like to file a complaint, please call 503-823-2525, for Relay Service or TTY: 711.

Portland Parks & Recreation is committed to accessibility for all our programs and services. Please contact the Community Partnership Team at parks.cpp@portlandoregon.gov if you would like assistance in submitting your application.

TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION

Traducción e Interpretación

Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad

Tafsiri na Ukalimani

Traduction et interprétariat

الترجمة التحريرية والشفوية

Translation and Interpretation: 503-823-2525

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Your application documents are potentially subject to disclosure under Oregon public records law.

All documents and information submitted as part of your application may be deemed public records subject to public disclosure under Oregon public records law. Any member of the public has the right to request the documents and information you submit as part of your application.

Before submitting confidential information to the City, you must notify the City’s grant manager (megan.dirks@portlandoregon.gov) in writing that you intend to submit confidential information to the City as part of your application. If, after consulting with the City’s grant manager, you determine that it is necessary to submit confidential documents and information to the City, you must identify, highlight, and segregate any information that is identified as confidential from information that is not confidential. You must identify applicable exemptions under the Oregon Public Records Act that permit the City to withhold the confidential documents and information from public disclosure. Information that you have not properly marked as confidential may be disclosed by the City in response to a public records request.

The City makes no warranty or representation as to the confidentiality of your application documents or information submitted to the City whether or not the documents or information you submit are identified as confidential. Documents or information you identify as confidential may be disclosed by the City if the City determines, in its sole discretion, that the documents or information are subject to disclosure under Oregon public records law. In the event City receives a public records request applicable to your documents or information, the City will make an independent determination regarding exemptions that may apply to documents or information properly marked as confidential in your application.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that all application documents and information you submit to the City may be subject to public disclosure in the event of a public records request (1) upon the City’s determination that your documents or information are subject to disclosure under public records law, (2) upon an order of the Multnomah County District Attorney, or (3) upon an order of a court. Because the City cannot give you legal advice, you should consult your legal counsel regarding the applicability of Oregon public records law to your documents and information submitted to the City.