Consultants Camille Trummer and her team members presented the community engagement key findings at the May 6, 2024 joint meeting of the Allocation Committee and Community Council.

Thank you to the more than 750 community members who helped shape future investments in community-based programs that support children and families in Portland.

The Portland Children’s Levy (PCL) raises about $23 million annually through a property tax measure, supporting more than 80 programs. Thanks to voter support for the Levy renewal in 2023, a funding process for new large grants is scheduled to launch in September 2024. New, three-year large grants will be awarded in spring 2025, with funding starting in July 2025.

Ahead of the funding round, PCL worked with Camille Trummer LLC and PKS International Community Engagement Liaisons to engage community members most affected by Levy investments. More than 750 people participated in surveys in more than 26 languages, focus groups and interviews. Their input helped shape priorities and program area strategies for the 2024-25 funding round.

2024 Community Engagement Report (PDF)

The Allocation Committee, the body that oversees Levy operations, used the community engagement results and Community Council feedback to shape the funding priorities for the next competitive large grant round at the June 24 meeting. Many of the priorities remain the same from the current round of grants, including an emphasis on staff who are culturally responsive and representative of the clients served. Some highlights of the funding priorities include:

  • The Levy will no longer fund preschool classrooms within the early childhood program area due to the 2020 passage of Multnomah County’s Preschool for All, which will provide for an increasing number of slots.
  • The mentoring program area will expand to cover more college and career readiness support for 14- to 24-year-olds, including apprenticeships and other post-secondary programs.
  • Increased focus on mental health, social-emotional health, system navigation, and reducing isolation for parents, caregivers and families across multiple program areas.

Review the adopted 2024-25 funding priorities document and the slide deck from the June 24 meeting for more details.

Stay involved

We’re looking for volunteer community members to review and score grant applications, and $250 stipends are available.

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