Loans, Grants & Other Resources
Prosper Portland Business Finance Programs
Prosper Portland works with Portland businesses to identify business needs and eligibility for either its assistance programs or those of its partners, and then helps you find the program that fits best. Available through Prosper Portland: Growth Capital; Furniture, Fixture & Equipment Purchases; Tenant Improvement & Leasehold Improvements; Predevelopment Financing; and Construction & Permanent Loans.
Prosper Portland Prosperity Investment Program (PIP)
The Prosperity Investment Program (PIP) offers a matching grant that helps businesses and property owners make tenant improvements and small- and large-scale improvements to new and existing buildings. The program provides 50 percent matching funds for approved project hard and soft costs in certain TIF Districts. Total grant may not exceed $50,000, with the exception of the Interstate Corridor TIF District, which offers up to $75,000 with a 75/25 match.
Shop Small PDX
Shop Small PDX promotes local purchasing throughout the city by showcasing the city's small businesses, many owned by people of color. The site invites Portland residents and visitors to be intentional about where they spend their money, and offers inspiration in a full array of products, services, experiences and gift ideas.
Businesses within the Portland, Oregon region are welcome to join the free directory.
Mercatus BIPOC Business Directory & Story Archive
The Mercatus business directory and story archive elevates the narratives of entrepreneurs of color in Portland and connects the city and region with local talents, businesses, services and products from diverse entrepreneurs. Mercatus partners with the Inclusive Business Resource Network to provide business technical assistance, connects members with professional service and technical assistance providers and offers access to digital marketing consulting for business owners of color.
Inclusive Business Resource Network
The Inclusive Business Resource Network (IBRN) is a citywide program that brings multiple services for small businesses and entrepreneurs into a single network. Entrepreneurs can receive one-on-one advising from trusted organizations, training, and other resources. If you are unsure about where to start, schedule an appointment with one of our business advisors to map out a best fit!
WorkSource Oregon
WorkSource Oregon is a one-stop resource for businesses. All services are at no cost to you.
PDX 311
PDX 311 is here to help with any question, request, or service (except emergencies - call 911!) for local government within Multnomah County. Open 7 Days a week, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call 3-1-1 or email 311@portlandoregon.gov for:
Questions about anything from construction projects to how to pay a parking ticket.
Requests about anything from getting a permit to ADA access for government program or service.
Reports about anything from graffiti, trash, abandoned automobiles, and campsites.
Report Dumped Garbage
Metro's RID Patrol tackles the problem of dumped garbage on public property and provides other cleanup services. Report dumped garbage at 503-234-3000 or online.
Free Appointments for Building Permit and Zoning Help
Schedule a free 15-minute meeting with a construction, zoning and development expert at BDS. Ask questions about building permit submittal requirements and zoning. Get help with the permit process, ask zoning requirements questions, building codes and more.
Energy Trust of Oregon: No-cost Lighting Upgrades for Small Businesses
Energy Trust of Oregon is providing free lighting upgrades to eligible small and medium commercial and industrial businesses.
Energy Trust of Oregon: Energy Trust of Oregon Incentives for Small Businesses
Save money on utility bills, increase productivity and improve the comfort of your space with energy-efficient equipment for your business. Energy Trust of Oregon is offering increased incentives for small businesses.
Downtown Clean & Safe
Business or property owner located within the Clean & Safe District can call 503-388-3888 to get support.
Graffiti Removal
The Graffiti Program helps to remove graffiti at zero or reduced cost. Removal includes painting and/or power-washing surfaces; it does not include acid-etched glass or graffiti on vehicles.
Oregon APEX Accelerator
Assist Oregon businesses to succeed in obtaining Government Contracts.
Business Impact NW
Business Impact NW is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to serving underbanked entrepreneurs. It also provides coaching, classes, and access to capital to community small businesses, with an emphasis on working with traditionally underserved populations.
Oregon License Directory
The License Directory Search can help you get started on your State of Oregon business licenses, permits, and registrations.
Safe Blocks Program
The City of Portland Safe Blocks Program helps community members problem-solve safety issues and find resources and services. Call 503-823-4064 to be connected with a Safe Blocks Program coordinator who serves your area.
Events Navigator at Portland Events and Film
The Portland Events & Film office supports events producers with resources to create safe, successful events that positively impact our city. Contact the Events Navigator at Portland Events and Film with any questions for event planning.
Prosper Portland Procurement Services
Information for vendors, suppliers, and contractors about business opportunities with Prosper Portland.
The Portland Film Office
The Portland Film Office is the first point of connection between filmmakers and the city. We help navigate permits and procedures, and connect productions with other city bureaus like Parks or Transportation. Our goal is to make filming in Portland fast and easy for productions big and small.
City of Portland Procurement Resources
Find general information for new and existing vendors/contractors that want to grow their business through public contracting. Get to know the procurement teams, review vendor/contractor requirements, review requirements, learn about certification and how to find and compete for City of Portland contracts.
Report Trash
Report a problem with a public trash can if you see a broken, damaged or overflowing public trash can.
Oregon Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID)
Government projects may have specific requirements or targets for their contracts to be awarded to minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and emerging small businesses. Certifying your business for as many certifications as qualified for helps make it possible to grow and overcome barriers.
Portland SBDC
The Small Business Development Center at Portland Community College provides one-on-one business advising, training, resources, and tools to help small businesses start, grow, expand, export/import, and through succession and exiting of their business. For information, contact us at sbdc@pcc.edu
Starting or expanding a child care business in a home
Learn about the general process of starting a child care business in a home in the city of Portland.
Starting or expanding a Commercial Certified Child Care Business
Learn about the general process of starting a child care business in a commercial space in the City of Portland.
Multnomah County Re-beautification Grant
Multnomah County and Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) are partnering to distribute aid to small businesses in Eastern Multnomah County that have been recently vandalized, in the form of grants up to $5,000.
Vibrant Future Business Loan Office Hours
A free 1:1 video session for business owners (and their advisors, optional) who have questions about getting a loan: Is one right for you, how likely you’ll get one, how to plan and apply, how much to ask for, who are likely lenders, or anything else.
EcoBiz Certification
EcoBiz is a free and voluntary certification that uses industry best practices to protect the environment. It certifies Eco-Friendly Auto Repair & Body Shops, Landscapers, and Car Washes in Oregon. Certified businesses meet high standards to reduce toxics, prevent pollution, and protect the environment.
Multnomah County Purchasing Office
Information about how to do business with the County and bid/proposal opportunities.
Report a Campsite
Report issues related to illegal camping and/or campsite-related trash in Portland. To help this process work efficiently, please wait one week before filing a new report on the same location.
Emergency Preparedness for Businesses
Simple steps and websites to help you prepare your business for emergencies.
Oregon Division of Financial Regulation Insurance Help
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation provides free help for people who need to: ask questions about the claims process; understand their options and protections as a consumer. Call 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email dfr.insurancehelp@oregon.gov
City of Portland Tree Removal and Replanting Permit
Learn more tree removal permit within the city of Portland. For emergency tree removal due to an immediate tree hazard, the permit can be filed retroactively within 7 days of the removal.
Portland Downtown Business Incentive Credit
To encourage businesses to lease Central City office and retail space, the City of Portland is offering a credit of up to $250,000 over four years for eligible Central City businesses to reduce business license taxes.
PBOT Food Truck Pilot Program
Portland City Council has approved an ordinance allowing PBOT to permit food trucks in the Central City Plan District through 2025. Food truck owners looking to join Suburban Events’ fleet are encouraged to fill out an interest form.
Startup Northwest
Lead by Northwest Native Chamber, Startup Northwest includes free on-demand courses for small businesses in different stages.
Prosper Portland Affordable Commercial Tenanting Grant
The Affordable Commercial Tenanting (ACT) Grant is a new grant program from Prosper Portland that will be piloted in the Interstate Corridor Tax Increment Finance District starting in June 2024.
Business Loan Basics Video Series
In this small business video series, Robin Wang from Vibrant Future covers topics including: basics of business loans, types of capital for small businesses, how to forecast financials to prepare for business loans, and common business loan misconceptions.
Multnomah County Library Tech Help Drop-in
Meet one-on-one with a friendly, knowledgeable Tech Helper who will help you find answers to questions about mobile devices, websites, getting started with tech, and more.
Business Oregon Export Promotion Grants
Export Promotion Grants reimburse up to 50 percent of a company's eligible expenses, with a maximum reimbursement amount of $8,000. Eligible applicants may apply to receive up to a maximum of two (2) grants per funding term. Each funding term runs annually from October 1st through September 29th.
Small business lending library at Lloyd EcoDistrict
Your destination for borrowing free event supplies in Portland that reduce costs, support a circular economy, and reduce barriers for inclusive events.
Business Recycling & Compost Assistance
Need advice to set up or troubleshoot recycling or compost? Contact city staff for help, order free waste bin labels, and find tips for finding the best service at the best price.
Small Business Legal Clinic
The Small Business Legal Clinic (SBLC) provides transactional legal services to low-income small business owners & entrepreneurs.
Oregon Women's Business Center at Livelihood NW
The Oregon Women’s Business Center at Livelihood NW supports business owners to plan, start, and grow.
Diverse Markets Business Builder Program for Farms and Food Businesses
The Northwest Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center Diverse Markets for Climate Resilient Agriculture team is offering grants between $3,000 and $50,000 that are designed to build and expand local and regional non-commodity markets for climate resilient grains, pulses, and pseudocereals.
ODOT Community Charging Rebates Program
Opens on Dec 17, 2024. The Community Charging Rebates (CCR) program is a multi-year program by ODOT that supports the installation of Level 2 EV charging stations across Oregon. This is a first-come, first-served rebate open to public and private entities.
Food Processing Machinery and Equipment Property Tax Exemption
The tax exemption is for food processors engaged in the business of processing, repacking, freezing, canning, dehydrating, concentrating, or preserving raw or fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, meat, wild game, or seafood for human consumption before the point of the first sale by the processor.
Travel Portland Visitor Experience Enhancement Grants
Opens on Jan 13, 2025. Funded through lodging taxes and fees collected from hotels and short-term rentals within Portland, these grants fund projects that will create new tourism infrastructure or enhance existing tourism infrastructure in Portland.
Portland Small Business Hub
The Portland Small Business Hub offers free one-on-one, culturally specific resource navigation for local small business owners. It is a collaboration between Prosper Portland and local community partners. Its business advisors help businesses connect to resources such as financial and technical assistance, marketing, and legal support.
SNAP Replacement Benefits
If you have SNAP food lost from storm, flooding, power outage or fire, Contact Oregon Department of Human Services to replace your benefits within 10 DAYS of losing food that you bought with SNAP benefits.
2025 Farmer & Rancher Disaster Resilience Grant Program
With guidance from producers, Friends of Family Farmers, other farmer supporting organizations, and state-wide OSU Extension experts, this program supports Oregon’s small producers to be more resilient to climate disasters. The program prioritizes funding that benefits historically underserved farmers and ranchers.
Central Eastside Better Together Grant
The Central Eastside Better Together Grant fosters an engaging and inclusive environment by supporting arts and cultural events, public installations, and District-driven projects that boost co-creation, economic growth, and a sense of place!
Energy Trust of Oregon Contractor Development Pathway
Energy Trust of Oregon is now accepting applications for the 2025 cohort of The Contractor Development Pathway. As a participant in the Contractor Development Pathway, you will also have access to technical, business, and programmatic resources to support business growth.
Oregon Child Care Workforce Recognition Payment Program
In an effort to recognize child care providers across the state of Oregon for their exceptional work the Oregon Legislature has allocated an annual $500 payment to eligible child care providers in 2024 and 2025.
Oregon Child Care Infrastructure Fund
Opening on August 15, 2024. Business Oregon is working with the Department of Early Learning and Care, other state agencies, and private and non-profit entities to implement this grant and loan program. This first round of funding will award a total of $10 million in grants to selected applicants.
Portland Sunday Parkways Vendor Information
Are you interested in being a vendor at Portland Sunday Parkways events? Portland Sunday Parkways vendors play a significant role in enhancing the event experience by offering a variety of goods and services.
SummerWorks
SummerWorks is a paid summer internship program for youth ages 16–24 in the Portland Metro area. The internship is 160 hours and focused on youth learning and experience. Contact stephanie.blair@portlandoic.org if you are interested in hosting an intern.
VertueLab Support for Cleantech Businesses
In partnership with Prosper Portland, the Professional Business Development Group, and Government Contracting Assistance Program, VertueLab offers a range of programs to support businesses delivering climate solutions and seizing the opportunities coming as a result of increased government investment in climate, recovery, and infrastructure.
PBOT Outdoor Dining Permit
Outdoor Dining permits let businesses and organizations conduct business on the sidewalk or street on an ongoing basis. All Outdoor Dining permit holders must follow the PBOT's design requirements and permit conditions. Please review them before applying.
Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness
If your PPP loan is $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness using the Small Business Administration’s online portal.
First Draw and Second Draw PPP loans made to eligible borrowers qualify for full loan forgiveness if during the 8- to 24-week covered period following loan disbursement:
Employee and compensation levels are maintained,
The loan proceeds are spent on payroll costs and other eligible expenses, and
At least 60% of the proceeds are spent on payroll costs.
Prosper Portland Local Small Business Repair/Restore Grant
Prosper Portland’s Local Small Business Repair/Restore Grant provides funding to small businesses that have sustained physical and economic damage due to break-ins and vandalism. Eligible entities may receive up to $25,000 for eligible repairs as a reimbursement with no required match. Learn more