PGE Foundation – Climate Resilient Communities Grants (April 2027)

Grants Supporting Wildfire Preparedness, Nature-Based Solutions, and Climate-Resilient Public Spaces in Oregon

PGE Foundation, the charitable foundation associated with Portland General Electric, is accepting applications for its 2027 Climate Resilient Communities grant program. The initiative supports locally driven projects that help Oregon communities prepare for climate-related challenges, strengthen environmental resilience, and expand access to safe, welcoming outdoor spaces.

The Foundation prioritizes community-based solutions to wildfire hazards, extreme heat, and other climate-related risks, particularly in historically underinvested communities. Special emphasis is placed on local leadership, community stewardship, and projects that create measurable, lasting improvements.

Application Deadline: April 9, 2027

Organization: PGE Foundation / Portland General Electric
Support Type: Corporate foundation grants; environmental and community resilience projects
Geographic Focus: Oregon, subject to PGE Foundation eligibility requirements
Funding Amount: Not specified

About the Funder

PGE Foundation is the charitable foundation associated with Portland General Electric (PGE), an Oregon-based electric utility.

The Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations working to strengthen communities, expand opportunity, and address important social and environmental challenges.

Through its Climate Resilient Communities funding initiative, PGE Foundation supports community-led efforts to respond to the increasing impacts of climate change, including wildfires, extreme heat, and environmental degradation.

The program recognizes that communities most affected by climate-related challenges are often best positioned to identify practical solutions that reflect local needs and experiences.

What This Program Supports

The Climate Resilient Communities program focuses on three primary funding priorities.

Wildfire Hazard & Preparedness

Projects that help communities reduce wildfire risks, strengthen preparedness, and build capacity for long-term recovery.

Potential activities include:

• Community wildfire preparedness initiatives
• Wildfire hazard reduction projects
• Community-based emergency readiness and response planning
• Local partnerships supporting wildfire resilience
• Programs that strengthen recovery capacity in fire-prone areas

The Foundation emphasizes proactive strategies that prepare communities before wildfire emergencies occur.

Nature-Based Solutions

Projects that use natural systems and community stewardship to address climate challenges and improve environmental conditions.

Potential activities include:

• Urban and community tree planting
• Tree canopy expansion and maintenance
• Green infrastructure improvements
• Ecological restoration
• Community stewardship programs
• Projects that improve water and air quality
• Initiatives that reduce extreme heat through natural cooling

Competitive projects should demonstrate how nature-based investments will produce meaningful environmental and community benefits.

Parks & Public Spaces

Projects that expand, improve, or sustain equitable access to safe, climate-resilient outdoor gathering spaces.

Examples may include:

• Improvements to community parks
• Climate-resilient public gathering spaces
• Outdoor spaces that provide relief during extreme heat
• Community green spaces
• Projects that strengthen accessibility and environmental resilience
• Stewardship programs that support long-term maintenance of public spaces

The Foundation values projects that create places where residents can gather, connect, and find refuge from climate-related conditions.

Desired Program Outcomes

PGE Foundation identifies four key outcomes for Climate Resilient Communities grants.

Community Capacity & Stewardship

Increased local capacity to implement and maintain climate resilience initiatives, particularly among small and rural organizations.

Measurable Environmental Improvements

Demonstrable progress in wildfire preparedness, tree canopy coverage, ecological restoration, and green infrastructure.

Equitable Access to Public Spaces

Greater access to safe, welcoming, and climate-resilient parks and outdoor community spaces.

Collaboration & Shared Learning

Stronger partnerships and learning networks across community organizations, public agencies, and other sectors.

Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed activities will contribute to one or more of these outcomes.

Eligible Support Types

The program supports locally driven projects aligned with its climate resilience priorities, including:

• Wildfire preparedness and hazard reduction
• Community environmental stewardship
• Tree canopy expansion
• Green infrastructure
• Ecological restoration
• Climate-resilient parks and public spaces
• Community capacity building
• Cross-sector collaboration supporting climate resilience

Applicants should review the Foundation’s proposal preview and evaluation criteria to determine allowable expenses and specific project requirements.

Eligibility & Preferences

The Foundation prioritizes organizations and projects that:

• Serve Oregon communities within the Foundation’s eligible geographic area
• Address wildfire preparedness, nature-based solutions, or climate-resilient public spaces
• Demonstrate strong local leadership and community engagement
• Respond to needs identified by the communities most affected
• Benefit historically underinvested communities
• Build lasting community capacity and environmental stewardship
• Establish measurable project outcomes
• Encourage collaboration among organizations and sectors

Small and rural organizations are specifically recognized in the program’s desired outcomes.

Applicants should confirm their organizational and geographic eligibility through the Foundation’s official application materials.

Ineligible Requests

The program page does not publish a comprehensive list of excluded applicants or expenses.

However, proposals are unlikely to align with the program if they:

• Do not address the Foundation’s climate resilience priorities
• Lack a clear connection to Oregon communities
• Do not demonstrate meaningful community benefits
• Have no measurable environmental or resilience outcomes
• Do not address community stewardship or long-term impact
• Fall outside the Foundation’s organizational or geographic eligibility requirements

Applicants should consult the official evaluation criteria for additional restrictions.

Funding Amounts

PGE Foundation does not publish a standard minimum or maximum award amount for the 2027 Climate Resilient Communities grant cycle on the program page.

Applicants should prepare a realistic project budget that clearly connects requested funding to proposed activities and measurable outcomes.

Timeline & Review

📅 Applications Open: February 22, 2027

📅 Application Deadline: April 9, 2027

📅 Funding Decisions: July 2027

Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with the Foundation’s priorities, anticipated community benefits, and the project’s potential to strengthen climate resilience.

Application / Request Process

Applications must be submitted through PGE Foundation’s online CyberGrants system.

Paper and email applications are not accepted.

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

Project Information

• Organization and project description
• Climate resilience challenge being addressed
• Geographic area and communities served
• Proposed activities and implementation approach
• Community involvement and partnerships
• Anticipated environmental and community outcomes
• Project budget

Required Financial Documentation

• Board-approved statement of financial position (balance sheet) from the most recent fiscal year
• Most recent itemized revenue and expense report (profit and loss statement)
• Current organizational operating budget

The Foundation also provides a proposal preview, evaluation criteria, applicant self-assessment, and examples to help organizations determine whether their projects are a good fit.

Applicants are encouraged to review these materials before completing the online application.

Apply / Learn More: https://pgefoundation.org/funding-opportunities-climate-resilient-communities

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

PGE Foundation’s Climate Resilient Communities grants are particularly well suited for organizations that:

• Work on wildfire preparedness and community resilience
• Implement urban forestry, tree planting, or green infrastructure projects
• Improve access to parks and outdoor public spaces
• Serve historically underinvested Oregon communities
• Build environmental stewardship and local leadership
• Collaborate with residents and community partners
• Can demonstrate measurable, lasting environmental benefits

This opportunity is especially relevant to environmental nonprofits, land conservation organizations, community development groups, parks organizations, and rural nonprofits addressing climate-related challenges.

The program’s emphasis on local leadership and stewardship makes it particularly attractive for organizations developing practical, community-informed solutions rather than purely research-focused climate initiatives.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Application Deadline: April 9, 2027
Application Window: February 22 – April 9, 2027
Review Type: Competitive grant cycle
Funding Decisions: July 2027
Funding Amount: Not specified
Corporate Connection: Portland General Electric
Best Suited For: Oregon nonprofits addressing wildfire preparedness, nature-based climate solutions, environmental stewardship, and climate-resilient parks and public spaces