2026-27 Community and Economic Development Grants

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce the 2026-27 Community and Economic Development Grant Program. The application is available on the county’s website. Applications are accepted from local governments and organizations recognized by the IRS as nonprofit organizations.

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce the 2026-27 Community and Economic Development Grant Program. The application is available on the county’s website. Applications are accepted from local governments and organizations recognized by the IRS as nonprofit organizations. Applications are also accepted from public-private partnerships with the fiscal agent being a nonprofit or municipal organization. An example of a public-private partnership project that could qualify for this grant would be a Lincoln County business support nonprofit applying with a local painting company to provide facade improvements to local businesses’ storefronts. Additional examples are provided in this video: https://youtu.be/QN04FJN7L1s?si=AgH_V_u7RhO2fhR_ To maximize applicant and project diversity, an applicant can only be awarded a grant every other year. Previously funded projects must have final reports submitted before requesting funds for another project. Nonprofit organizations that receive direct, budgeted funding from Lincoln County are not eligible for this grant program. This year, the total available for community and economic development grants has increased from $185,000 to $250,000. The $250,000 will be appropriated for up to three $50,000 IMPACT grants awarded specifically to projects demonstrating high impact and need in the county with the remaining monies awarded to smaller community and economic development projects with a maximum of $15,000 per STANDARD grant. The deadline for applications is noon on Tuesday, Dec. 1. To learn more about the program, please visit the county’s grant webpage linked here: https://tinyurl.com/LC2026grantpage. "We always look forward to partnering with Lincoln County on this annual grant program," said Paul Schuytema, EDALC’s Executive Director. “This program is a perfect example of keeping local dollars local and seeding truly innovative projects throughout the county. Nurturing our economic vitality is work we do collectively, and these dollars can truly help make an impact for all of us." Economic development is a priority to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, and Lincoln County is determined to give the community funds for economic and community development projects, with a focus on job creation and retention. The Board of Directors of the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County will review and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners regarding the grant applications. The Board of Commissioners will make the final determination on awards. The Board of Commissioners encourages applications for projects that require additional funding beyond what the county is offering, empowering organizations to leverage county grant funds while applying for other sources of financial support for their community and economic development projects. Additional consideration will be given to projects that demonstrate a measurable positive economic impact, as well as projects within unincorporated areas of Lincoln County. All projects should seek to be environmentally friendly. Lincoln County receives funds from the Oregon Lottery based on the play of video lottery in the county. The Board of Commissioners has elected to use this resource to help with local community and economic development projects through the grant program; support the Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County and the Small Business Development Center through Oregon Coast Community College; and provide low interest loans to small businesses through the Cascades West Council of Governments. Last year’s community and economic development grants were awarded to some great local projects including: the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s Amazon exhibit, Agape Respite Center’s Workforce Project, Discover Your Northwest’s Community Partnership Accelerator, the Oregon Coast Community College Foundation’s Youth Career Program, Central Coast Chorale’s Coastal Voices Programming, City of Lincoln City’s Brownfield Program, and Lincoln City Sunday Market’s Growth Project. Two $50,000 IMPACT grants were awarded to Northwest Coastal Housing for the Olalla Meadows housing development in Toledo and Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County for their Forest Lake Park affordable housing project. If you are interested in applying for the community and economic development grant, please visit the county’s page here: https://tinyurl.com/LC2026grantpage. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about the grant application or the process, please email [email protected].