Renting Event Space at Equi

Sustaining a Shared Community Space

We believe community and belonging are essential to health and wellbeing. Our updated pricing reflects both the real cost of sustaining our spaces and our commitment to equitable access.

  • For the past two years, we've intentionally offered our event spaces at little or no cost because we believe our community deserves safer and accessible places to gather. During that time, our spaces have hosted support groups, mutual aid projects, trainings, celebrations, organizing meetings, art events, and countless opportunities for people to connect.

    As cuts to our public funding have happened, we've had to find new ways to sustain the Center. Rental income now helps support the staff, operations, and care that keep these spaces open, not just for events, but for the thousands of trans and queer community members who rely on the Center every year.

    When you rent space at The Marie Equi Center, you're investing in a community resource built around belonging, dignity, and collective care.

  • We know that not everyone has the same access to resources. Many of the events we host are organized by volunteers, mutual aid groups, and community members working with little or no budget.

    That's why we've created an equity-based pricing model instead of a one-size-fits-all fee. Our rates include progressive discounts that recognize intersecting experiences of marginalization, mission alignment, and financial capacity.

    Those with greater access to resources help sustain the space. Those facing more barriers to funding can access lower rates. This is one small way we put our values into practice while ensuring this community resource remains accessible for the people it was built to serve.

    Together, we're creating a model rooted in reciprocity. Those who can contribute more help make it possible for others to gather here, too.

 

Located in the Brooklyn neighborhood in SE Portland

Our building is ADA accessible, has size inclusive seating up to 600 lbs, with neurodivergent-friendly design, and is highly accessible via public transit

Explore Our Available spaces

The Back Yard

95’x45’ – 3,600sqft – Capacity 200

A spacious gymnasium with soaring ceilings and rubber flooring. Ideal for health or resource fairs, large social gatherings, distribution events, and community markets.

Base rate $75/hour

The Den/AC’s Art Corner

15’x40’ – 600sqft – Capacity 40

A beautiful open space designed for medium size group gatherings, support circles, art or healing workshops, and community meetings. The Den offers a warm, quiet environment with flexible seating and a welcoming vibe, ideal for peer-led sessions or quieter events.

Base rate $30/hour

The Bloom Room

50’x30’ – 1,500sqft – Capacity 100

A large multi-use meeting room equipped with a projector, screen, modular furniture, and sound system. Ideal for workshops, presentations, movie screenings, and social events. 

Base rate $50/hour

The Living Room

50’x26’ – 1,300sqft – Capacity 65

A spacious, homey area built for connection and comfort. The Living Room is perfect for casual events, community hangouts, discussions, or creative workshops. With comfy seating and an open layout, it invites people to settle in, share stories, and build community. 

Base rate $40/hour

Carter’s Hearth

25’x12’ – 300sqft – Capacity 12

A cozy meeting room designed for smaller groups and intimate gatherings. Ideal for small meetings, peer support groups, recovery meetings, board meetings, and co-working space. 

Base rate $25/hour

Add-Ons

  • Projector & Screen: $60+ *Bloom Room Only

  • Mounted Screen: $40+ **Carter’s Hearth Only

  • Meeting OWL: $60+ ***Not in The Back yard

  • Speakers: $30+

  • Kitchen/Pantry/Fridge: $25+

  • Microphones: $10+

  • White Board & Markers: $10+

*All add-ons subject to availability

Submit A Rental Request

Check Our Schedule

*Please note, actual availability may vary due to staff capacity and individual room vs multiple room rentals .

Frequently Asked Questions

    1. The first step is to check out our list of rental spaces, which you can find here. Once you’ve found the event space that best suits your needs, fill out a Rental Request Form. Please note that any form submitted is not a guarantee for space, it’s simply the information we need to begin a conversation with you.

    2. Based on our capacity and the high volume of building activity, we are unable to accommodate requests that are submitted with less than 2 weeks notice.

    1. We offer hourly rates for event rental spaces that vary by capacity and add-ons. These rates are based on a sliding scale that takes into account if the group is BIPOC- and/or Trans- and/or Disability-led, if the event provides a mission-aligned service or offering, and the overall organizational budget. If you have any questions about the sliding-scale, we are always happy to have a conversation.

    2. If you would like to make a donation to support the accessibility and sustainability of The Marie Equi Center beyond the cost of your event space and add-ons , you can do so through our Donation page.

  • We are proud to host a wide range of events here at The Marie Equi Center, both public and private. Some examples of reservations at The Marie Equi Center include social groups, mutual aid resource fairs, recovery meetings, song circles, martial arts classes, board meetings, retreats, fundraisers, performances, memorials, and more. The only requirements we have are that all event rentals support Our Mission & Values.

    • It is possible to rent space during the following hours:

      • Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 9pm

      • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10am to 9pm

      • Fridays: 10am to 4pm

    • Availability is affected by existing reservations (Reservation Calendar), holidays (Center Service Calendar), and staff capacity.

    • When planning your request, please include the event start time as well as the additional time needed for set up prior to and clean up after the event.

  • We ask that requests be made at least 3 weeks in advance. For larger-scale events, like fundraisers or memorials, we ask for at least 5 weeks notice to properly coordinate logistical arrangements (including a walk-through to coordinate your set-up, connect with your team, etc).

    • Rental requests are typically handled during similar hours to the Center Service Calendar.

    • If you’re looking to connect with us during working hours, email to schedule an appointment since we don’t have the ability to accommodate walk-ins during service hours.

    • While we try to respond to all requests as quickly as possible (within 5 business days), response times may be slower (2+ weeks) during periods of high volume or limited capacity. Please do not submit duplicate requests.

    • Our building is ADA compliant and features 7 parking spots with one designated ADA parking space. Street parking is also available. For larger events, please put in a request for the overflow parking lot, which must be reserved well in advance and is only available nights and weekends. 

    • The building has three single stall all-user restrooms.

    • Furniture at The Marie Equi Center is designed to be comfortable for larger bodies guests. Only wider chairs have armrests. With the exception of the brown metal folding chairs, all seating has high weight limits (between 300-600 lbs, depending on the type of chair)

    • The Marie Equi Center is located at 4434 SE 25th Ave., Portland, OR 97202. We are 7 blocks from a yellow line MAX stop and less than 1 block from a bus stop, line 17.

    • There is WiFi throughout The Marie Equi Center for all guests. 

    • The Bloom Room is equipped with a screen, projector, and an in-room sound system with 2 wireless microphones, and Carter’s Hearth has a wall-mounted TV. 

    • There is a Meeting Owl for use with hybrid virtual/in-person events in all rooms except The Back Yard.

    • We also have small portable speakers (200w) and associated wired microphones available for use in all rooms.

    • All equipment can be added to a rental for the fees listed in Add-Ons and must be returned in its original state; please alert us to any issues so we can address them before the next groups’ use.

    • We provide the space and the equipment itself (projector, speakers, microphones, etc.) but do not provide a device for connection (laptop or phone).

    • Minimal A/V support is available on the day for setup and troubleshooting, but we are unable to run your media during the event. 

    • If you are planning an event with technical needs beyond plug & play music or a slide presentation, we recommend setting up a technical walkthrough ahead of time to physically review what equipment The Marie Equi Center has to offer, what equipment or cables you may need to bring, as well as how to set them up.

    • We have a kitchenette with limited food prep space and capabilities.

    • We do not have a commercial ice machine or offer in-house catering services.

    • If you are working with a caterer, please confirm their prep and storage needs so we can verify what is within the scope of onsite capacity.

  • No alcohol may be served at rental events. There is also no smoking, vaping, or substance use of any kind allowed within the building or near the picnic tables, ramp, and building entrance.

    • We are unable to store advance deliveries and cannot be responsible for any mail sent to The Marie Equi Center for your event. Please coordinate with staff so we can determine capacity to accommodate any day-of deliveries.

    • All materials must arrive and be removed from the building within your rental time.

The Marie Equi Center offers a range of event spaces and add-ons on a sliding-scale based on organizational budget including price reductions for BIPOC- and/or Trans- led, and events providing mission-aligned services.

Submit A Rental Request