Applications for Prosper Portland’s Inspiring Diversity Grant are now open

Launch or expand a diversity and equity program within your organization with help from Prosper Portland

Prosper Portland is now accepting applications for their Inspiring Diversity Grant.The grant offers funding for local traded-sector companies to inspire creative, equity-related best practices around workforce, community partnerships, marketing and communications. Participation in the program gives your company the chance to build new community partnerships with underrepresented populations. Applications for the grant are due January 31, 2020.

Apply now

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APPLICATION CRITERIA

• Company must be a traded sector business (sell a portion of your goods and services outside of the region), preferably within one of the identified clusters (Athletic & Outdoor/Consumer Product, Green Cities Products & Services, Technology & Media, Manufacturing)
• Company must be located within Portland city limits
• Grant must be used to further diversity and inclusion efforts within the company
• Company must provide in detail how requested funds will be used
• Companies may apply for up to $10,000 in grant funds
• Preference will be given to companies that can match requested funds
• Projects will be evaluated on the following:
  • Innovation- initiatives that create new approaches to old problems
  • Level of community engagement or impact
  • Replicable across industry
  • Leadership/Executive commitment

ELIGIBLE GRANT ACTIVITES 

Projects can be related to internal improvements or increased external/community engagement processes. Examples include:

• Organizational trainings or education
• Marketing and outreach to underserved communities
• Development of a diversity hiring plan
• Increase career pathways for existing employees from diverse backgrounds
• New partnerships with community non-profits
• Develop or expand diversity supplier programs
• Development of a diversity and equity market assessment
• Competitiveness – outline how this will make your business more competitive

GRANT RECIPIENTS MUST AGREE TO: 

• Submit receipts for final reimbursement prior to June 1, 2020; 50% of funding can be disbursed upon selection in to the program.
• Commit to 1-2 group sessions to discuss best practices with other businesses or grant recipients
• Participate in end of year ceremony and presentation
• Share outcomes and results with Prosper Portland staff

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This is the second year Prosper Portland has offered the Inspiring Diversity Grant. The grant was designed to encourage private employers to incorporate creative, equity-related best practices around workforce, marketing and communications. In 2019, nine local businesses, including KEEN, Bridge & Burn and Castelli, received grants to support their work to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). To learn more about previous grant recipients and their projects, read Prosper Portland Awards Grants To Support Business Diversity and Inclusion. 

ABOUT PROSPER PORTLAND

Prosper Portland creates economic growth and opportunity for Portland. Our vision is to make Portland one of the most globally competitive, healthy, and equitable cities in the world by investing in job creation, encouraging broad economic prosperity, and fostering great places throughout the city. We aspire to be a workplace of choice with passionate staff excelling in an open and empowering environment and sharing a commitment to our collective success.

ABOUT PORTLAND A&O

Portland A&O powered by Prosper Portland aims to support the success of Oregon’s 800+ Athletic and Outdoor firms through community, peer-to-peer learning, events, and programming.