Nike Community Impact Fund (NCIF) – 2026 Grant Cycle Supporting Youth Sport, Active Communities & Local Impact in the Pacific Northwest

The Nike Community Impact Fund (NCIF), established in 2010 in partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF), continues its mission of empowering communities where Nike employees live, work, and play. Through NCIF, Nike employees actively participate in the grantmaking process—reviewing applications, scoring proposals, and ensuring funding reaches organizations that uplift local youth and strengthen community well-being.

Each year, NCIF awards at least $550,000 to nonprofits and schools across Metropolitan Portland, the Northern Willamette Valley, and Southwest Washington. The program focuses on expanding youth access to sport and physical activity, promoting health, and fostering more inclusive and supportive communities.

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Program Focus: Getting More Kids Active

In 2026, 100% of NCIF funding will support projects that help youth engage in sport or other physical activities. Nike’s global commitment to the future of youth sport drives the Fund’s mission—especially in:

• Providing quality coaching
• Engaging more girls in sports and activity
• Tackling barriers that keep youth from participating

NCIF-funded projects help local organizations offer meaningful play experiences, encourage healthier lifestyles, and make physical activity a valued part of everyday community life.

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Grant Details

• Award amount: $5,000–$25,000
• Eligible applicants:
  • 501(c)(3) public charities
  • Federally recognized tribes (IRC 7871)
  • Government entities
• Project location must serve:
  Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Yamhill, Columbia, Linn, Benton, Marion, or Polk Counties (Oregon) OR Clark County (SW Washington)

Organizations may apply once per cycle and receive one grant per year.

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2026 Grant Cycle Timeline

• January 8: Applications open
• January 21: NCIF Info Session Webinar (1–3 p.m.)
• February 17 (5 p.m. PT): Applications close
• Mid-May: Award notifications & fund distribution
• May 25 (week of): Grant payments disbursed

All applications must be submitted via MyOCF.

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What Strong Proposals Demonstrate

Competitive applications typically:

• Serve communities of color with representative leadership
• Have clear goals, thoughtful planning, and sustainable approaches
• Provide quality coaching or gender-inclusive programming
• Use creative or proven methods to address community needs
• Present a practical budget aligned with impact
• Show support from diverse funding sources
• Request an amount proportionate to community benefit

Priority is given to organizations that have not received NCIF funding in the past 24 months.

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What NCIF Does Not Fund

NCIF does not support:

• Discriminatory organizations
• Projects outside the eligible counties
• Individual scholarships, stipends, or assistance
• Travel, research, or fundraising events
• Elite or private sports programs
• Capital campaigns (unless Nike’s grant completes the funding gap)
• Projects occurring before grant disbursement
• Organizations funded by NCIF within the last two years

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Reporting Requirements

Grantees must submit a brief report within one year of fund disbursement, including:

• Number of youth served (by gender and age)
• Any major project updates
• An impact story or key insight from the program

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Training & Support

• Info Session: January 21 (Register online)
• Project budget templates available
• Program questions: OCF-NikeFund@oregoncf.org
• Technical support: grants@oregoncf.org

New applicants must create a MyOCF nonprofit account, which may take up to one week to activate.

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Apply Now

Organizations ready to uplift youth through sport and physical activity are encouraged to submit applications before the deadline.

Apply via MyOCF

Review Program Guidelines

For more information

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