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.

Learn More.

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.

Learn More.

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.

Learn More.

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.

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.

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.

Learn More.

Inspired by the mountain goat, who scales impossible cliffs, we brought together a community willing to analyze and tackle the biggest challenges in our state.

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.

Explore North Star’s past projects, partnerships and reports.