Northeast Portland came alive in 1888 when a new bridge crossed the Willamette River and connected NW Glisan Street with NE Broadway Street for the … Keep Reading ››
Benchmark Grants
Venture Portland’s Benchmark grants, distributed twice a year, provide tactical financial support to business districts. After establishing a baseline of activities, business districts define their own benchmarks and the appropriate roadmap to find success and long-term financial and programmatic stability and sustainability. Business districts implement year-over-year accomplishments until the benchmark is achieved. This moves business districts toward self-sustainability. Once a benchmark is achieved, business districts are free to focus on another area for strategic growth. Eligible projects must show quantifiable progress towards benchmark achievement and business district self-sustainability. The 6 benchmarks are as follows (*priority benchmarks):
- Strong Membership*
- Web/Social Media Presence*
- Self-sustaining Signature Event*
- District Identity/Place-making
- Collateral/Map/Newsletter
- Marketing/Media/PR campaign
Benchmark Grant Application, Guidelines and Resources
- Spring/Summer 2018 Benchmark Grant Application (Word)
- Spring/Summer 2018 Benchmark Grant Guidelines (PDF)
- Spring/Summer 2018 Benchmark Grant Application Fillable Budget (Excel)
- Benchmark Definitions (PDF)
- Benchmarking Success (PDF Fillable Form) – Wondering where to start? Use this tool to identify priority focus areas for strategic growth and financial support, establish baselines and begin tracking results.