PGE Parks Champion Awards

2018 Parks Champion Mattheiu Kambumba, a leader in the Congolese community, directed a $1,500 grant to activities in Wood Community Garden to bring people together and develop a community plot. Photo: Mattheiu Kambumba

2018 Parks Champion Mattheiu Kambumba, a leader in the Congolese community, directed a $1,500 grant to activities in Wood Community Garden to bring people together and develop a community plot. Photo: Mattheiu Kambumba

Nominate a volunteer for the PGE Parks Champion Awards; they could win a $1,500 grant for the organization of their choice.

The PGE Parks Champion Awards honor individuals who make outstanding contributions or provide significant service to a Portland park, community center, natural area, community garden, or park-related or recreation program through direct volunteer service. Are you that person, or do you know someone who deserves to be recognized?  Use the short online application below to nominate your favorite parks community member. Or, go ahead and nominate yourself. Don’t be shy!

Portland Parks Foundation (PPF) will make a grant of $1,500 on the recommendation of the honoree to a community organization that aligns with PPF’s vision to help Portland communities create more equitable access to nature, play, health, and places of connection.

The Parks Champion Awards are generously sponsored by Portland General Electric.

Thank you to Portland General Electric for partnering with us to recognize the individuals and organizations in our community who are passionate advocates for creating safe and welcoming parks and greenspaces. The PGE Parks Champion Awards are an extension of PGE’s commitment to empowering communities to create a cleaner, greener, more equitable Oregon. Through its Project Zero initiative, they are engaging youth and community members to learn, solve and take action through climate and clean energy education, environmental stewardship and access to green jobs. The PGE Parks Champion Awards embodies the very mission of Project Zero and reflects the significance that volunteerism plays in building strong, healthy communities.

Who can nominate? Anyone! You don't have to be a volunteer yourself. If you are a volunteer don’t be shy and nominate yourself!

The PGE Parks Champion Awards will be presented to the honoree at the Friends and Allies Summit in May. All nominees will be celebrated and recognized for their work at the May Summit.

Who is eligible?

  • Individuals who volunteer time for a public park(s), natural area, community garden, or community centers

  • Individuals who volunteer time for a park-related program or recreation program that either takes place in a public park, natural area, community center or community garden or is run by Portland Parks & Recreation (e.g. goldenball youth basketball)

  • Not a paid position or parks staff (stipends or reimbursement of your own expenses is ok)

  • Volunteers within the City of Portland. Nominee doesn’t have to be a Portland resident.

  • Open to all ages 

  • Examples of where volunteer services can come from include (but are not limited to) neighborhood organizations, community-based nonprofits, parks friends group, recreation team leagues (like basketball), faith based groups, community gardens, or someone that cleans up your neighborhood park

  • Past nominees are eligible to be nominated again

  • You may submit more than one nomination

  • You may nominate yourself

Examples of past nominees (read about past nominees here):

  • Organizers of community events in parks

  • Advocates for accessible playgrounds

  • Volunteer coach

  • Community placemaking

  • Neighborhood trail cleaners

  • Utilizing outdoor space to increase access to education

  • Community gardening

Submitting Your Nomination

First, review the questions to ensure you have all the necessary information.

The best way to submit a nomination is through the online application. Click “create an account” to get started! If you are unable to complete the nomination online, please email Jason Brown at jason.brown@portlandpf.org for assistance.

Nomination Process: 

  • Complete the nomination form online.

  • Submit the nomination form by the deadline, March 1 (11:59 PM).

  • All nominees will be notified of their nomination.

  • Applications will be reviewed by community members. 

  • All nominees will be celebrated and Awards are given during our annual spring Friends and Allies Summit in May.

Nominations open January 15 and close March 1 at midnight.

The Portland Parks Foundation also offers a Small Grants Program to support community organizations working to create or care for public parks and park programs, community gardens, and natural areas. Check out our Small Grants Program Guidelines to see if your organization would be a good fit!

View our past Parks Champion Award nominees and recipients:

If you have any questions, please contact Jason Brown at jason.brown@portlandpf.org.