Dig Deeper: About Friends of Portland Community Gardens

Who Are We?

For over 30 years, the Friends of the Portland Community Gardens (FPCG) has provided support to the Portland Parks and Recreation Community Gardens Program while expanding our mission to include non-PP&R community gardens throughout the Portland area. Founded in 1985, we’ve been busy ever since helping community gardens to take root and flourish in our area.

Mission

Friends of Portland Community Gardens (Friends) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and expand community gardening opportunities for all Portland-area residents to grow healthy food and build community around gardening.

Support for Gardens and Gardeners

FPCG provides financial support to the gardens and gardeners through cash awards and fiscal sponsorships. We support gardeners with specific programs like Produce for People and Mason Bee Husbandry. We also supply connection to garden education resources.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Friends of Portland Community Gardens is committed to creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment where the contributions of all community members are valued, respected and appreciated. Just as community gardens and landscapes are biologically diverse and engaging, we seek to allow for diversity, accessibility and engagement in our values and
practices and in the gardens we work with.

Advocacy

Friends of Portland Community Gardens was originally established to respond to drastic budget cuts which threatened the City of Portland’s Community Gardens program, and was registered as a 501(c)(3) Domestic Nonprofit Corporation in March 1986. Friends is Portland’s original advocacy and support nonprofit for community gardeners. We serve as the gardener’s voice with the City of Portland by advocating to preserve and create community gardens throughout the metro area.

Garden Development

We look for partners with a desire to see new gardens built. We do fundraising and organizing of volunteers to bring these new gardens to life. In the past 3 years we have partnered with three homeless village providers to create gardening opportunities at seven shelters and villages. In 2017 we built the Crossroads Community Garden. We are always on the lookout for new places to put community gardens. Please contact us if you see a parcel with potential.