Future Roots Opportunity Grant (FROG)
Growing Portland Businesses Through Strategic Capital
The Northwest Native Chamber, with support from Prosper Portland, is launching the Future Roots Opportunity Grant (FROG). This initiative provides Portland business owners with access to strategic capital that supports long-term viability, sustainability, resilience, and growth.
FROG is designed to empower entrepreneurs to grow their operations, increase revenue generation, and build intergenerational wealth.
NWNC will award three Portland business owners with $5,000 grants. In addition to capital, awardees will receive individualized technical assistance and direct support from NWNC’s contracted professional service providers in areas such as financial management, legal services, and digital marketing.
Eligible Applicants
To qualify for the Future Roots Opportunity Grant, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Business address must be within Portland city limits, verified using Portland Maps.
- If operating a business from home, the home address must meet the same requirement.
- Active business registration with the City of PortlandÂ
- Use of funds is flexible as long as funds are not used for:
- Personal expenses
- Payroll or hiring costs
- Purchases below the minimum value threshold ($800)
Eligible Uses of FROG Funds
required and/or opportunity enhancing licenses & certifications
equipment purchase for business or down payment for business vehicle, ie. food truck, reefer truck, construction vehicle, etc.
paying down existing business loan that was used for asset acquisition, debt consolidation
Ineligible Uses of FROG Funds
-
hiring/training of employees; paying salaries
-
any personal purchases (e.g. personal vehicle, home mortgage/repairs, etc.)
-
misc. working capital/operations or purchases under $800 in market value
Timeline
- December 2, 2025, 12:00 PM PST – Application Opens
- December 11, 2025, 4–5 PM PST – Application Support Webinar
- January 15, 2026, 11:59 PM PST – Application Closes
- February 25, 2026 – Award Notifications
- March–August 2026 – Capital Distribution & Technical Assistance
- September 25, 2026 – Program Close-Out & Final Disbursements
Preparing Your FROG Application
The Selection Committee will be looking for:
- Implementation Plan: Show what your project is, why it matters, and the steps you’ll take to make it happen.
- Project Impact: Explain how the grant will grow your business, increase stability, and unlock new opportunities.
- Use of Funds: Provide a clear spending plan and show how this funding works with other resources.
- Technical Assistance: Describe your business needs and how you’ll engage with NWNC on things like legal, marketing, and financial support to further leverage this funding opportunity.
Grant Terms
- Grant Expenditure Deadline: All funds must be fully utilized by September 1, 2026.
- Fund Distribution: Funds may be disbursed directly to the business owner, a designated third-party, or a lending institution.
- Approval of Fund Use: If your planned use of funds changes, approval from NWNC is required.
- Waitlist Provision: NWNC may maintain a waitlist if an awardee is unable to use funds by the deadline.
- Financial Documentation: NWNC may request financial statements or loan documents if needed to process disbursement.
- Tax Implications: This grant may affect your taxes. NWNC will host a tax-prep informational session for recipients.
- Security Interest Agreement: All grantees must sign an agreement confirming they will retain ownership of purchased asset(s) for a minimum of two years.
