PORTLAND, Ore. – The PGE Foundation is proud to announce $380,000 in grant funding to Oregon nonprofits through its 2026 Creative Expression Fund and inaugural Climate Resilient Communities Fund. Together, these investments support organizations that foster creativity, strengthen community connections, advance environmental stewardship, and help Oregon communities prepare for a changing climate.
This year marks the final stand-alone grant cycle for the Creative Expression Fund.
Since its launch, the fund helped thousands of young Oregonians access meaningful arts and cultural experiences that build confidence, creativity, and connection.
It’s its final year, the PGE Foundation awarded $205,000 through the Creative Expression Fund, supporting organizations that expand access to arts education, creative learning, cultural expression, and youth development. Representative grants include support for Arts for Learning Northwest, which integrates arts into core academic subjects; The Confluence Project which provides Native-led art and outdoor education programs; Friends of Noise, which combines creative expression with workforce development for young adults; and Arts in Education of the Gorge, which brings arts education experiences to students in rural communities.
"The arts remain a powerful tool for learning, belonging, and personal growth," said Kregg Arntson, Executive Director of the PGE Foundation. "By embedding creative expression within our Career-Connected Learning strategy, we can continue supporting these outcomes while helping young people develop the technical and creative skills needed to thrive in tomorrow's economy."
Moving forward, the Foundation will integrate creative expression opportunities into its Career-Connected Learning Fund, expanding its focus from STEM and skilled trades to a broader STEAM approach that recognizes the important role creativity plays in innovation, problem-solving, and future workforce success.
The Foundation is also celebrating a strong response to its pilot program, the Climate Resilient Communities Fund. This year, $175,000 was awarded to organizations advancing community preparedness, environmental restoration, climate adaptation, and local resilience.
Representative grants include support for AfroVillage PDX’s climate-resilient community hub in Portland's historic Albina neighborhood, Eco-School Network's efforts to transform schoolyards into climate-resilient spaces, Hood River Watershed Group's community-led wildfire fuels reduction and resilience work, and Clackamas County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters' efforts to build community resilience and long-term recovery capacity within Clackamas County.
Together, these organizations demonstrate how local leadership, stewardship, and community connections can build resilience for generations to come.
"The success of the Climate Resilient Communities Fund reinforces the importance of investing in community-driven solutions," said Juliae Riva, program officer of the PGE Foundation. "We remain committed to supporting organizations that are helping communities prepare for, adapt to, and thrive in the face of climate and environmental challenges."
This successful response reflects a shared commitment across Oregon communities to prepare for, adapt to, and recover from climate-related challenges through locally driven solutions. Funded projects advance the Climate Resilient Communities Fund's core priorities of wildfire preparedness, nature-based climate solutions, and climate-resilient public spaces, while helping protect vulnerable populations, strengthen community preparedness, and support long-term environmental and economic vitality.
Through these investments, the PGE Foundation continues its commitment to strengthening Oregon communities by expanding opportunities for learning, creativity, resilience, and long-term well-being.
For the complete list of 2026 Climate Resilient Communities grants, see 2026 Climate Resilient Communities Grants. For 2026 Creative Expression grants, see 2026 Creative Expression Grants. To learn more about the PGE Foundation, visit pgefoundation.org.
About the PGE Foundation
The PGE Foundation is an independent, nonprofit foundation aligned with the priorities of Portland General Electric. Founded in 1997 through an endowment dedicated to improving the quality of life for Oregonians, the foundation has awarded more than $33 million to community organizations across the state. Today, the foundation supports efforts that expand opportunities for Oregonians to learn, grow and build resilience—from hands-on career learning and support during times of need to investments in climate resilience and economic prosperity. To learn more, please visit www.pgefoundation.org.