Port of Portland Economic Prosperity Fund Established in Partnership with Oregon Community Foundation 

The Port of Portland has established a new fund to invest in local community organizations that provide training and development for workers, help small businesses grow and generate jobs, and create more economic opportunity in the region. 

The Port of Portland Economic Prosperity Fund of Oregon Community Foundation will collect voluntary contributions from companies that buy or lease property from the Port and direct those funds to nonprofit and community organizations. 

When evaluating potential real estate transactions, the Port considers community impacts, including benefits like the number of low-barrier, living-wage jobs that would be created, and whether small and diverse local businesses would receive construction and tenant-improvement dollars.  

"At our business parks, we prioritize partnering with companies who share our vision for improving economic opportunity and quality of life," said Port of Portland Economic Development Director Tamara Kennedy. "The new Economic Prosperity Fund is another way our potential business partners can make a meaningful impact. We’re excited to work with Oregon Community Foundation to connect local organizations with new sources of funding that will amplify their impacts in the communities they serve."

For local nonprofit organizations, these funds could mean the ability to expand their programs, develop new programming or leverage additional grant dollars from other funders. 

The mission of Oregon Community Foundation is to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. OCF and its donors support nonprofits working for creative solutions throughout the state. 

"The Port of Portland and Oregon Community Foundation have a shared goal to help Oregonians thrive," said Oregon Community Foundation President and CEO Lisa Mensah. "This fund is yet another example of how creative solutions can emerge from collaboration between trusted partners. These investments by the Port, combined with OCF’s philanthropy expertise and financial stewardship, will drive economic vitality and create opportunities for Oregonians long into the future."

Here’s how the new fund works: 

• A company negotiating with the Port on a potential real estate transaction will have the option to include a contribution to the Economic Prosperity Fund. 

• If they voluntarily choose to contribute, the company will identify a dollar amount and any funding priorities for the contribution. This dollar amount is incorporated into the purchase or lease agreement for the Port’s property. 

• After the real estate transaction is finalized, the company will contribute to the fund at Oregon Community Foundation by an agreed-upon date. 

• Oregon Community Foundation will then recommend organizations that meet any specified funding priorities, and the company and Port will review potential recipient(s). 

• Oregon Community Foundation will make the distributions in addition to managing contributions. 

The Port of Portland Economic Prosperity Fund of Oregon Community Foundation is now in place and available for use in future real estate transactions. 

For more information, please see the Economic Prosperity Fund flyer linked here.