Membership

Support

For Your Business District

Venture Portland is the support organization for Portland’s 50 business districts, providing members funding, training, marketing, and significant staff support. Since 1986 Venture Portland has helped business districts city-wide best meet the needs of their diverse communities. We invite you to discover the ways Venture Portland can support your business district by navigating this section and contacting us today.

2025 Benefits

Of Membership

Apply for competitive grant funds to help pay for business association staffers, contractors, and consultants to support and promote member businesses. Business districts with paid staff have been proven to be more vibrant and successful!

Our free, monthly Lunch & Learns are open to our member districts and their member businesses. They are a great opportunity to network with business district colleagues, address challenges, strengthen your programs, and get the knowledge to achieve success in your district.

Join us for monthly networking opportunities in different districts and enjoy fun events, local businesses, and great conversation with other business district leaders.

Venture Portland’s district ambassadors connect business district leaders with the new city council members and the Office of Small Business with forums and meetings.

Stretch your reach and your marketing dollars with Venture Portland’s e-blasts, social media, and website.

  • Weekly Press Release – sent to our media list and our list of 2,500+ subscribers, highlights district events, promotions, and businesses
  • Friday Email – a weekly letter from Venture Portland staff with updates about Venture Portland activities and business district-related news and events
  • Ventureportland.org – Our brand-new website is continually updated with district-related information including district profiles, resources, training videos, news, events, and more.
  • Social Media – business district-related posts to 5,800+ followers on Instagram and Facebook
  • Instagram LIVE – features interviews with business district leaders and industry-specific developments
  • Sponsorship Opportunities – get your business or district featured on our e-blasts, website, and webinars

Venture Portland staff can assist with questions in all areas of business association operations, including marketing, governance, membership, revenue generation, and personnel.

  • Samples, Tools, & Resources – an expansive collection of templates for all things BDA related
  • Fee-for-Service Consulting – offers design, membership, staffing, and strategic governance services with deeply discounted member prices
  • Mentoring Connections – link business district leaders to discuss shared issues and best practices

Do you have a business in your district that could use a jump start? Nominate them for the Rescue Warriors program, which provides an influx of revenue to a struggling business by hosting upcoming Venture Portland events and meetings.

As a current member of Venture Portland, your business district association (BDA) may choose to nominate one of your current board members to be on the Venture Portland Board of Directors. As a member of Venture Portland, your BDA is NOT required to have (or to nominate) one of your own board members to serve on the Venture Portland Board of Directors.

Membership

Levels

Renew with a credit card or bank account via Paypal (a 3% Paypal fee will apply.) Paying by check? Download a PDF of our membership form.

Sustaining
Member

$1,650 ($1,500 before 2/1/25)

Business district is thriving and a model for other districts in the city.

Business District:
Board Delegate** (optional)

Large and/or Established

$1,400 ($1,250 before 2/1/25)

Large – Business district has consistent membership/support and stable funding. Total annual business district revenue is $25,000* or more.

Established – Business district is in 6th year or longer of operations and/or has established a long track record of successful services and events.

Business District:
Board Delegate** (optional)

Medium and/or Growing

$950 ($850 before 2/1/25)

Medium – Business district is experiencing significant membership/support growth. Total annual business district revenue is $5,000 to $24,999*.

Growing – Business district is in 3rd to 5th year of operations and is still investing in new programs, services and benefits.

Business District:
Board Delegate** (optional)

Small and/or
Year 2+

$450 ($400 before 2/1/25)

Small – Business district is just beginning to build membership/support. Total annual business district revenue is less than $5,000*.

Year 2+ – Business district is in the second full year of operations following incorporation and/or is just beginning to provide services.

Business District:
Board Delegate** (optional)

While Venture Portland hopes business associations increase their membership level as the district evolves, we understand changes to association status and district development may affect level choice.

*Total business district revenue should reflect all sources of funding, including, but not limited to: grants, membership dues, sponsors, vendors, events and in-kind contributions.

We sent in our membership dues, now what? As a current member of Venture Portland, your business district association (BDA) may choose to nominate one of your current board members to be on the Venture Portland Board of Directors. As a member of Venture Portland, your BDA is NOT required to have (or to nominate) one of your own board members to serve on the Venture Portland Board of Directors.Criteria for Nominations:

We highly encourage you to nominate a person who:

  • Currently works at a business within your district
  • Is a current member of your board
  • Demonstrates a high level of confidentiality, loyalty, and active volunteerism
  • Has time to dedicate up to ten hours per month to the Venture Portland Board of Directors
  • Understands that they represent your BDA rather than representing their own goals and/or agenda
  • Will act as the liaison between your board and Venture Portland’s Board of Directors
  • Brings new ideas, has a positive “working” attitude, and who represents your district and your board

This position is ideal for your new board members who may have limited experience on a Board. Serving as a Venture Portland Board member will give them insights into governance, advocacy, and trainings that they can then share with your own board.

The nominating process: Once your pay your BDA’s Venture Portland membership dues and write in the name of your nominee, that information will be compiled and sent to the Venture Portland Board in March 2024. Venture Portland will hold its Annual Meeting in April 2024. Your Board President must attend along with your board member whom your BDA has nominated. Your Board President will have two minutes to share how your nominee fits the above criteria. Your board nominee will be voted on by the full Venture Portland Board of Directors at that time.