Portland State University in Oregon has announced a $25 million challenge grant from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, to fund sustainability programs. It is believed to be the largest such grant in higher education.

The grant — the largest in the history of both the foundation and the university — requires PSU to raise at least an additional $25 million over the next ten years. The foundation, which provides funding for the arts and education throughout the state of Oregon, has awarded more than $5.3 million to PSU since 1998. Research and education at the university focus on issues of creating sustainable urban communities, the integration of human societies and the natural environment, implementing sustainability and mechanisms of change, and measuring sustainability.

"Our goal is to raise even more funds for Portland State University programs and to raise even greater local, national, and international awareness and support for this outstanding university," said Charles "Chuck" Putney, a Miller Foundation director and PSU alumnus. "We feel this grant can have a great impact at Portland State."