Portland, OR — The Oregon Convention Center (OCC) is proud to announce the recipients of its inaugural Space to Grow Fund awards, a new initiative designed to support local organizations from historically underrepresented communities in bringing their events to the region’s largest convention venue.
This program is more than just financial support—it’s an investment in events that directly benefit and uplift our region. Space to Grow prioritizes events that are led by or actively supported by communities of color or other underrepresented groups, strengthen cultural and community assets, provide opportunities for cultural expression, and increase community impact, collaboration, and growth.
Through this initiative, OCC aims to:
Expand the size, scope, and reach of regional cultural events
Support local opportunities to convene, collaborate, and celebrate
Drive community investment through education, leadership development, and fundraising
Provide tools, resources, and assistance to ensure event success
After an open application period earlier this year, OCC received 12 strong proposals—far exceeding expectations for the program’s first cycle. On April 1, the full $150,000 in available funding was awarded to seven organizations whose events reflect cultural vibrancy, economic empowerment, and community-building:
Northwest Native Chamber, The Gathering
A cultural celebration uplifting Native American heritage, featuring Native food businesses and artists, and fostering collaboration among communities of color to grow economic power.
Oregon Realtist, 2nd Annual Paving the Way for Black Homeownership Resource Forum
A public event providing tools and resources to help increase Black homeownership and build generational wealth within marginalized communities.
Portland Indigenous Marketplace, Indigenous Peoples Day Festival
A public celebration hosting 50–100 Indigenous and Black artists and entrepreneurs, promoting cultural resilience and honoring Indigenous heritage through art and community.
STEAM Circuit, LLC, Silicon Forest Tech Summit
A dynamic event focused on increasing accessibility in the STEAM fields, advancing professional development, and creating a collaborative and inclusive tech ecosystem.
Bridging Cultures, Hispanic Cultural Festival
A community festival that will celebrate Hispanic and Latine culture, strengthen social bonds, provide economic opportunities, and increase cultural representation and visibility.
Cool Islam Corporation, Empowering Young Leaders
A youth-focused fundraiser supporting culturally relevant programming, scholarships, and community engagement, with a goal of raising $100,000 to expand their youth development efforts.
Prosper Portland, My People’s Market Vendor Summit
A day of skill-building, networking, and cultural celebration for vendors, designed to strengthen the future of the market and provide a space for collaboration and feedback.
“We launched the Space to Grow Fund to remove barriers and create new opportunities for organizations doing vital work in our community,” said OCC Executive Director Cindy Wallace. “We were deeply moved by the passion, creativity, and impact reflected in the applications. These events will bring people together, elevate important voices, and enrich the cultural fabric of our city. We’re honored to be a part of that.”
While a second round of funding was initially scheduled for fall, OCC made the decision to award the full annual allocation in this first round. The decision was driven by the strong quality of applications and the timeline of the proposed events. OCC will use the remainder of the year to gather feedback from applicants and reviewers to refine and enhance the program for 2026.
The Space to Grow Fund supports OCC’s ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion, and community partnerships as outlined in its Racial Equity Action Plan. It aligns with the center’s objective to cultivate strong relationships with—and foster opportunities for—clients hosting diverse group events.
OCC extends its sincere gratitude to the review committee for their time and thoughtful evaluations, and to all applicants for their dedication and vision. The OCC looks forward to welcoming these powerful events in the coming year.
For more information about Space to Grow and future opportunities, visit oregoncc.org/spacetogrow.