What We Do
The Portland Children’s Levy (PCL) prepares children for school, supports them to be successful inside and outside of classrooms, and eliminates racial and ethnic disparities in children’s outcomes.
PCL grew out of a need to increase opportunity for all Portland’s children. Historical policies and practices have a direct relationship with disparities in outcomes for children navigating poverty and children of color. The Levy, a City of Portland initiative, strives to change this trajectory by generating about $20 million annually through a property tax to provide grants to community-based programs supporting children and families. By law, PCL is limited to 5% spending on administration.
Portland voters approved the first Levy in 2002 and overwhelmingly renewed it four times; current Levy funding runs through June 2029. See the most recent Portland City Council Ordinance referring the Levy to voters, ballot language and Act governing Levy operations below.
Grant programs
PCL offers three funding opportunities:
- Large grants: One funding round is offered for each five-year levy. Funding for new three-year large grants started July 1, 2025 after a competitive funding process.
- Small grants: One funding round is offered for each five-year levy. A new competitive funding round will open in fall 2025 for funding to begin July 1, 2026.
- Event sponsorships: Offered twice a year.
Grants are offered in six program areas, as approved by voters:
- After school
- Child abuse prevention and intervention
- Early childhood
- Foster care
- Hunger relief
- Mentoring
Oversight and decision-making
A five-member Allocation Committee oversees PCL and meets publicly several times a year, including to make funding decisions for large and small grants.
In response to community feedback, the Community Council was created in 2022 to advise PCL staff and the Allocation Committee on Levy policies and procedures, including community engagement and funding rounds. It is composed of 11-13 members with experience in PCL program areas and services for children and families.
Funding processes and priorities are also informed by community engagement reports, key local data, recommendations from grantmaking improvement reports and more.
Monitoring and reporting performance
PCL uses a framework of goals, program strategies and performance measures to gauge the performance of the Levy and its grant investments. Staff monitor grants through regular reporting and site visits. The Allocation Committee reviews grant performance data annually. PCL uses data collected from grantees to report PCL’s overall performance annually on 6 measures:
- Demographics of program participants
- Demographics of organization staff and board
- Service goals
- Program participation
- Participant outcomes
- Staff turnover
In addition, PCL produces a Community Report that features highlights and stories each year.