The Oregon Mountain Goats

A mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks, a dense forest, a river, and a mountain goat standing near the riverbank.

In 2017, North Star joined together with Portland State University's Center for Public Service, EcoNorthwest, and a consortium of other foundations, to evaluate the fiscal health and resilience of local governments in Oregon. Our research indicated that cities, counties, schools and other local governments face severe budget shortfalls and service cuts in the coming years. (Original reports here and here.)

Cuts to public budgets tend to result in disproportionate harms to people who are low income, live in rural areas, black, indigenous, and other people of color, people with disabilities and the elderly. The results of these kinds of budget shortfalls can further erode trust in government and democracy, and can distress opportunities for business growth, entrepreneurship, and job security.

To help us make sense of this research and identify potential paths forward, North Star brought together a group of leaders from myriad sectors including philanthropy, local government, community advocacy, and finance. Our goal was to foster shared learning about the fiscal challenges that local governments face and what those challenges mean for Oregon communities.

We fondly refer to this group as the “Oregon Mountain Goats” — because these challenges have appeared insurmountable to many, and mountain goats scale impossible cliffs.

The Mountain Goats are united around a shared vision and commitment to four keystone aspirations:

  • A united community that embraces racial and intergenerational equity

  • A vital economy that generates restorative growth and good jobs

  • A resilient natural environment

  • A trustworthy government upheld by an open democracy. These values guide our inquiry into policy solutions

We host quarterly learning sessions to help us apply a spirit of curiosity and collaboration to the challenges and potential solutions we face, and to build trust and open communication among participants.

2023 Gatherings

  • Oregon Revenue Stability Briefing

    February 6th, 2023

    Exploration of policy opportunities to manage capital gains volatility, reduce unanticipated fluctuations in Oregon’s General Fund, and invest in infrastructure like housing, seismic preparedness and wildfire response.

  • Property Tax Reform Briefing

    April 17th, 2023

    Discussion on the policies, politics, and possibility for property tax reform in Oregon with Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal and Topos Partnership.

  • Climate change and local government budgets

    July 10th, 2023

    Discussion with Dr. Elisabeth Gilmore, of Carleton University about climate change and increased local government fiscal stress.

  • Connecting the legislature with local governments

    October 25th, 2023

    Panel discussion on the connection between state and local government budget policy with state legislators who have worked in local government: Reps. Mark Gamba, Ben Bowman, and Pam Marsh.

RSVP for Upcoming Events

Meet the Mountain Goats

  • A young woman with long dark hair smiling outdoors in black and white.

    Amy Ruiz

    Swift Public Affairs

  • A young woman with long, wavy red hair and a small nose piercing smiling at the camera, outdoors with green trees and grass in the background.

    Andrea Haverkamp

    American Federation of Teachers - Oregon

  • Photo of a man in a suit smiling outdoors with trees and sunlight in the background.

    Andrew Scott

    Metro Regional Government

  • Professional headshot of a smiling man in a suit and collared shirt against a neutral background.

    Ben Bowman

    Oregon State Legislator

  • A woman with curly hair and glasses smiling at the camera, sitting at a desk with office equipment in the background.

    Candice Vickers

    Family Forward Oregon

  • Smiling woman with brown hair, colorful earrings, and a striped top.

    Carol Samuels

    Piper Sandler

  • Profile of a man with glasses and a beard, wearing a sweater, looking to the side with his hand near his neck.

    Christian Gaston

    Consultant, Former State Budget Director

  • A close-up of a man with a beard, glasses, and a hat outdoors.

    Chuck Sheketoff

    Oregon Center for Public Policy (retired)

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling outdoors on a sidewalk next to a brick building, with green trees in the background.

    Dana Hepper

    Children’s Institute

  • A man with glasses and a red beard smiling outdoors, wearing a plaid shirt, standing near a white birch tree

    Daniel Hauser

    Oregon Center for Public Policy

  • A close-up of a woman with dark brown hair and earrings, wearing a dark teal top, smiling outdoors with green blurred trees in the background.

    Erin Kothari

    Oregon Futures Lab

  • A young person with short, styled hair smiling outdoors during sunset, wearing a light blue button-up shirt.

    Emily Evans

    Gender Justice Consultant

  • A woman with short brown hair smiling outdoors, wearing a dark shirt with gold buttons.

    Erin Dysart

    Meyer Memorial Trust

  • A man smiling outdoors with yellow autumn foliage in the background. He is wearing glasses, a white shirt, a red and yellow striped tie, and a brown blazer with a white pocket square.

    Jesse Beason

    Northwest Health Foundation

  • Smiling elderly man with gray hair and mustache wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and yellow patterned tie outdoors.

    John Kitzhaber

    Former Governor of Oregon

  • A smiling professional woman with long curly black hair wearing a navy blazer and pearl earrings, standing in front of an orange backdrop with partial white text.

    Kali Thorne Ladd

    Children’s Institute

  • Portrait of a young man with a beard, wearing a dark blazer and light blue shirt, smiling outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

    Lamar Wise

    Oregon AFSCME Council 75

  • A woman with long brown hair smiling outdoors, wearing a red coat.

    Lorelei Juntunen

    ECONorthwest

  • A man with brown hair, light stubble, and brown eyes, wearing a white shirt and brown plaid blazer, smiling at the camera, with a blurred office background.

    Ryan Fisher

    NW Public Affairs

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with shoulder-length dark hair, smiling, wearing a textured, open-knit top, against a plain background.

    Sarah Pope

    Stand for Children

  • A woman with curly brown hair smiling outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Trina Stout

    Communications Strategy Consultant

  • A woman with brown hair, wearing glasses, a black blazer, and a light pink blouse, smiling outdoors with green foliage in the background.

    Whitney Grubbs

    Foundations for a Better Oregon

  • A woman with long brown hair smiling outdoors in front of a cactus plant.

    Caitlin Baggott

    North Star Civic Foundation

  • A woman smiling outdoors with trees in the background and sunlight filtering through the leaves.

    Marina Kaminsky

    North Star Civic Foundation

Past Work