We do projects.
We advance our mission through concrete projects and initiatives with a clear beginning, middle and an end. Through all of our projects we aim to deliver outcomes at three levels: Concrete changes to policy and practice; Development of elected and community leaders; A strengthened, connected ecosystem of values-driven organizations.
Our Impact Goals
We’re working toward a more open democracy and a just and equitable market economy.
We believe that economic opportunity and an open democracy go hand in hand — and we’re energized to build a future where both are accessible to all. We use different tools to solve different kinds of problems. North Star’s team delves into research, develops policy frameworks, convenes community leaders for collaboration and shared learning, provides responsive capacity, and makes strategic financial investments. North Star provides these resources to elected and community leaders to build trust, discover new common ground, and accelerate change.
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We pursue policies and develop leadership that result in effective and equitable outcomes for our democracy and engaged civic life in our communities. We support civic engagement that decreases civic and political polarization.
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We seek to reduce extreme generational wealth inequality by pursuing policies that have been demonstrated to make a significant difference in people’s lives. Widespread poverty and hopelessness destroys families and communities. We support policies that address historic economic harms to women and people of color and that also create shared prosperity for all. Learn more about Targeted Universalism.
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We see a thriving, climate-smart, and community-focused business climate as essential to increasing opportunity for a multiracial middle class, and support efforts to align economic growth with these values.
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We support elected and community leaders to deepen their understanding of public finance, to connect authentically and responsively to communities, and to develop frameworks to equitably and efficiently provide services now and for future generations.
Examples of Our Projects
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A New Government for Portland's Future
In 2019 we engaged with Portland’s upcoming charter review process, to evaluate reforms that could make Portland’s government more effective, representative, and democratic. We invested in and led research about other cities’ approaches and commissioned research to hear about Portlander’s views and hopes for our growing region.
In November 2022 voters approved the Charter Review Commission’s proposal to reform Portland’s government structure and elections system. We are enthusiastic about these changes and look forward to continued community engagement as the City implements the reform.
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Portland is Possible
Portland civic leaders are hungry for a space to get to work on “the future of Portland” — whether they define that as reviving downtown, changing the City Council composition, addressing homelessness, or building a connected Albina community. We believe that how civic leaders come together now will likely set the course for where we arrive in five, ten, twenty years. We’re partnering with Western States Center and Oregon Humanities to develop projects that open up community spaces where we can think in new ways about the place we call home, develop a vision for a hopeful future, and build and act on strategies to make a new Portland possible.
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Compass Fellowship Program
North Star Civic Foundation's Compass Fellowship is a unique and dynamic learning opportunity at the nexus of data-driven public policy development and effective civic leadership. Fellows apply and develop their research and analytical skills by delving into current policy issues. Fellows also attend discussions with professionals and experts in the fields of public policy to learn skills and develop professional connections. This experience equips young changemakers with research experience, policy concepts, leadership training, and a network of relationships.
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Oregon Kicker Rebate Research
Oregon’s tax policy includes a nationally unusual provision to give taxpayers a tax credit if the state economist fails to accurately predict state revenue — regardless of the current costs of providing public services like k-12 education, affordable housing or public health support. We’re researching the impacts of this policy and options to address Oregonians’ needs for both a rational tax policy and consistent public services.
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Oregon Funders' Fiscal Health and Equity Circle
As funders we see the connection between Oregon fiscal health and our commitments to support a vibrant, prosperous, equitable future. And we’ve come to believe this issue is one philanthropy can’t sit out. But engaging in Oregon’s statewide fiscal health is new territory for us. To get started, we have formed the Oregon Funders’ Fiscal Health and Equity Circle (OFFHEC). We are starting with a collaborative learning process.
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Our Next 20
Oregon cities, counties, schools and other public services face meaningful budget shortfalls. It’s not a one-time problem. It’s the beginning of twenty years of fiscal stress.
Now is the time to open a conversation that can bring everyone to the table — because these outcomes are not inevitable. We can solve this: Together and on time.
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A New Deal on Housing
We are exploring new financing and legal models to increase asset building for a generation facing massive barriers to building wealth through homeownership. We look at this crisis through the lens of wealth inequality and are actively exploring entrepreneurial ideas to build wealth for people who cannot currently access home ownership.
New Deal Housing is a collaboration with the New Villages Group, Ltd.
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Past Projects
Explore North Star’s past projects, partnerships and reports.
