This program is funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, with financial support from the Community Endowment Fund at the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.

Build your community.

Strengthen your connections.

Do Judaism your way.

Get $120 to host an event at the place and with the people you choose

You select the date. You set the location. You invite the attendees. You plan the activity. Federation picks up the tab.

New to Portland? We'll help you plan a dinner to meet your Jewish neighbors!

WHEN YOU RECEIVE A $120 GATHER GRANT YOU CAN:

Teach friends how to make a special recipe from your childhood

Plan a picnic with other families who have similar-aged kids

Host a Shabbat dinner or holiday celebration to meet your Jewish neighbors

Arrange a fun night to reconnect with camp, Birthright, or school friends

Buy copies of a Jewish-themed book and host a discussion group

Organize a poker night, a nature hike, a volunteer project… whatever and wherever you want!

ANY JEWISH-IDENTIFYING GROUP, INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY OR COUPLE CAN APPLY.

Don’t belong to a synagogue? This grant is for you.

Don’t live in a “Jewish area”? This grant is for you.

Part of an interfaith or multifaith family? This grant is for you.

New to Portland? We’ll help you plan a dinner to meet your Jewish neighbors!

Lost touch with your Jewish friends? Use the grant to reconnect.

Recent empty nester? Time to plan a dinner party!

Active member of the community? Buy lunch for friends who might be less involved.

Parent who wants to do something Jewish for your child? Let’s make it happen!

Grant Opportunities

NOW OPEN--WINTER GATHER GRANTS FOR JANUARY-MARCH 2025!

Dates to host your event are January-March 2025


If you have questions, email Caron Blau Rothstein caron@jewishportland.org or call her 503-245-6449

UPCOMING GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Spring grants will open in March for April (Passover)-June 15, 2025 Spring Grants

Summer grants will open in May for June 16-August 2025 Summer Grants

Fall Grants (High Holidays) Open for gatherings between September-Nov 15 2025

Gather Grant Details

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A GATHER GRANT?

Any Jewish-identifying individual, couple, friend group, or family in the greater Portland area can apply to receive a $120 Gather Grant.

WHO AND HOW MANY PEOPLE DO I NEED TO INVITE TO MY EVENT?

We request that a minimum of 2 families or 6 people outside your household attend your event. Attendees may be adults or children and should include people outside your family.

WHAT EXACTLY DO I GET IF I AM AWARDED A GATHER GRANT?

Ideas and guidance: You’ll find event ideas and resources on this webpage. We’re also happy to connect with you over email, phone, or Zoom. You don’t have to do this on your own!

Connection with Jewish people in your area: If you want to host an event, but need help with the guest list, just reach out!

$120: You’ll receive $120 in the form of a check or ACH bank transfer (after you host and share details about your event with us.)

WHAT DOES MY EVENT NEED TO LOOK LIKE? HOW JEWISH DOES IT NEED TO BE?

“Doing Jewish” means something different for each of us – and it’s that unique expression of Judaism that Gather Grants wants to support. Our request is that you plan an experience that is comfortable and meaningful to you – which means the opportunities are endless! We’ve included some event ideas on this page, but you are in charge of the details for your event.

HOW CAN I SPEND THE $120?

You can spend the $120 in whatever way you need to bring your event to life! Some examples include:

Food: ingredients, pick-up, or dine out!

Supplies: decorations, art supplies, books, paper goods,

Tickets (movies, activities, events)

EXCLUSIONS: Lifecycle, personal family gatherings (e.g. birthday parties), fundraisers

Ok, I’m in. What do I need to do?

 

  1. Complete the Gather Grant application online by the date indicated in the orange Grant Opportunities section above. We’ll notify you within 10 days about the status of your application.

  2. Plan and host your event with at least 2 other families or 6 attendees outside your household. Take lots of photos!

  3. Share details and photos from your event in a short post-event survey and ask your attendees to complete a survey as well.

  4. (Encouraged but optional) Share details and photos/videos from your event on your social media accounts. Include a link to jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/gathergrants to make sure others know about this fun opportunity. 

  5. Receive $120 via check/ACH transfer within 2 weeks of submitting post-event host survey.

Your plan. Your people. Your place. Your Jewish expression. Federation’s funding.

Questions? Email caron@jewishportland.org or call 503-245-6449

This program is funded in part from a Grant from the OJCF Community Endowment Fund.