Funding Opportunities

Funding Opportunities

OWTEG

Oregon Tribal Water Empowerment Grant

Grants up to $50,000 for Oregon Water Projects

This funding opportunity was made possible by community-led advocacy. Oregon Senate Bill 5506 authorized grants to address water needs for communities across the state. In partnership with the University of Oregon Just Futures Institute, the Institute for Tribal Government is leading the Oregon Tribal Water Empowerment Grant program to ensure that funding reaches Tribal communities.

This program is meant to be highly accessible with streamlined application and reporting requirements and technical assistance support along the whole process.

Funding Priorities

  • Projects that promote healthy watersheds and waterways and/or increase access to clean drinking water.
  • Projects that are led by or provide benefit to Tribal communities.

Technical Assistance

Our staff are available to help you throughout the award process. From support developing your project idea to setting up your project management systems, we are committed to building community capacity and sharing resources to help communities reach their goals. If you are interested in requesting support, connect with one of our staff for more information.

Eligibility

Who can apply?

  • Federally recognized Tribes in Oregon
  • Federally recognized Tribes with aboriginal interests in Oregon
  • Tribal organizations, intertribal organizations, or Tribal nonprofit organizations
  • Community-based organizations

What are eligible projects?

  • Watershed stewardship activities
  • Community/youth education
  • Infrastructure improvement
  • Increasing community resilience & emergency preparedness
  • Workforce development programs
  • Research & data collection
  • + Other Tribal water work

Important Dates

April 1, 2025Application Opens
May 2, 2025Application due date
June 30, 2025Awards announced
June 1, 2026Grant project completion

Contact Us

(503) - 725 - 6963 | tribalg1@pdx.edu | pdx.edu/tribal-government