Our goal is simple: grow a greater sense of belonging in every Habitat community and help homeowners thrive together.
Who can apply?
You may be eligible if you:
- Are a homeowner living in a Habitat community.
- Have an idea that benefits your neighborhood — not just your household.
- Agree to share a few photos and a short summary after your project is complete.
Every application requires at least two residents to work together.
Community associations and HOAs are also welcome to apply.
What activities can be funded?
Priority categories include:
- Block parties and social events
- Shared beautification projects
- Skill-sharing and workshops
- Welcome kits for new neighbors
We welcome a wide range of ideas. If your project helps neighbors connect, build relationships, and create a greater sense of belonging, we’d love to hear about it.
What does not qualify?
Grants cannot be used for:
- Improvements to an individual home
- Political activities
- Fundraising for another organization
- Ongoing operating expenses, such as an HOA utility bill
- Past events; we cannot award retroactive funding
What grant amounts are available?
The $4,000 grant pool is structured in three tiers to serve the widest range of ideas — from spontaneous micro-connections to larger neighborhood events.
| Tier | Award range | % of pool |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | $100-$200 | 30% |
| Sprout | $201-$500 | 40% |
| Bloom | $501-$850 | 30% |
Each project can receive only one award; grant tiers cannot be combined. No single applicant may receive more than one grant per funding cycle (July-June).
How are grants awarded?
Applications will be reviewed at the monthly HLC meetings (typically the second Saturday of the month). Scoring criteria will be included in the application document for transparency.
All applicants will receive written feedback. If your application is not selected for funding, we will offer suggestions to strengthen your proposal and encourage you to re-apply.
To ensure fairness, Selection Committee members do not review or vote on their own applications or applications submitted by members of their household.
When are funds distributed?
A percentage of the award will be given to the applicants immediately after selection.
The remaining balance will be released after the post-event report is submitted.
More information
What to expect
More details about the review criteria and selection process.
Coming soon
Apply
Applications will be available in fall 2026.
If you have additional questions about the Neighborhood Roots Fund, please email HLC@habitatportlandregion.org.