PROGRAM UPDATE: September 1, 2025 - Round Two application portal is now open! Applications are due by midnight on October 31, 2025. We highly recommend previewing the application questions and writing your answers in a separate saved document before starting the online application. 

CLICK HERE TO START YOUR APPLICATION

The Port of Cascade Locks Economic Development Grant Program is an initiative designed to support economic development, enhance recreation and tourism, and strengthen community partnerships within the Port district. You can view and download the FY 2025-26 Grant Program Guidelines here. 

The program is structured to provide funding for projects that align with the goals of the Port’s 2024-2029 Strategic Business Plan and demonstrate measurable benefits to the community. The funding is available through two categories:

1. Small Grants Program – Awards up to $10,000.
2. Large Grants Program – Awards from $10,001 to $50,000.

For the FY 2025-26 cycle, the Port will distribute up to $150,000 in total funding. Each year that the grant program is authorized, the Port Commission will establish priorities for the program and encourage eligible applicants to seek funding in support of projects that can show tangible benefit or impacts on those priorities.For this year, those priorities are:

• Downtown Revitalization
• Enhanced Tourism and Recreation
• Public safety

Projects that are awarded funding in the 2025-26 fiscal year must be completed by December 31, 2026.

Eligibility & Requirements

Applicants must be non-profits, businesses, or government entities operating within the Port district and in good standing with the State of Oregon. Projects must align with the Port’s Strategic Business Plan objectives. Grant funds may not be used for political activities, inherently religious activities, or athletic activities of individual schools and community sports teams. Direct overhead costs, regular operating expenses and salaries are ineligible for funding.

Grant recipients are required to provide a minimum 20% match and adhere to reporting requirements, including progress updates and final project reports.

Program Details

• Small Grants Program: Open to new and established entities with awards disbursed in two phases—50% upfront and 50% on a reimbursement basis.
• Large Grants Program: Open to entities established for at least two years with funding disbursed on a reimbursement basis at a rate in line with the match ratio. 

Key Priorities for 2025-26

The Port Commission has established the following priorities for this year:

• Downtown revitalization
• Enhanced tourism and recreation
• Public safety

Projects must be completed by December 31, 2026, with final project reporting due within 30 days of the project completion date.

The Port will accept grant applications only throught its online portal - the link will be provided here after 8:00AM on September 1, 2025.   Applicants are encouraged to prepare their answers to the questions in a separate document before starting the online application.

To preview the application questions, please click here.

To start your online application, click here or go to https://bit.ly/POCLGrants25

The Port has contracted with the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) to administer the grant program. MCEDD staff will review all applications for completeness and eligibility and score each proposal based on the scoring criteria set by the Port commission. Award recommendations will be reviewed, and final approval of each award will be made by the Port commission during a regularly scheduled public meeting.

Send questions to:

Genevieve Scholl
Deputy Executive Director
541-374-2401
gscholl@portofcascadelocks.gov