Foundations for a Better Oregon

Next Thursday, April 25 in Portland: Join Oregon youth, educators, and advocates for a film screening showcasing the power of the young vote!

Directed by Dr. Diane Robinson, “The Young Vote” is a story about “unleashing civic power, shaping the future of America, and preserving the promise of democracy by carrying forward a generation's work from the streets to the polls, and back again.”

We can’t wait to see the Hollywood Theatre filled with young people, educators, and anyone who cares about intergenerational civic engagement. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker and one of the youth activists featured in the documentary.

Register for a free ticket!

The Young Vote Film PDX Screening April 25 Join us for a film screening on April 25 in PDX showcasing the power of the young vote!

Oregon’s 2024 legislative session came to a close last night, ending almost as quickly as it began. We break down what happened, cheer important progress for children, and forecast what to expect in 2025 and beyond.

2024 Oregon Legislative Session Delivers On Summer Learning and More From K-12 funding transparency to student safety and belonging, we break down what happened and what comes next for Oregon public education policy.

One week left before application review begins! We’re looking for FBO’s next Policy and Advocacy Director, and Policy and Communications Associate. These roles call for passionate problem solvers who can help us question and reimagine how Oregon’s policies and systems support every child to learn, grow, and thrive.

Learn more, share, and apply! Applications submitted by next Tuesday, March 5, will receive priority consideration.

Employment Foundations for a Better Oregon is an equal opportunity employer. Please check to see if we have job opportunities.

Gov. Tina Kotek has announced a promising plan to re-examine Oregon’s public education funding and spending. Now, we need to build our shared understanding of what resources our children, communities, and schools all need to succeed.

In a new op-ed for The Oregonian, FBO's Whitney Grubbs writes about Oregon’s Quality Education Model and how we can fix it to make sure state dollars are improving public schools for all students.

Opinion: Simply funding the ‘Quality Education Model’ won’t fix K-12 problems While many point to the state's failure to fund K-12 schools to the level recommended by Oregon's "Quality Education Model," the problems go much deeper, writes Whitney Grubbs, of Foundations for a Better Oregon. The model needs not only to be updated to reflect the true needs of students today, but...

FBO is hiring! We're looking for two new teammates to fill the roles of Policy and Advocacy Director, and Policy and Communications Associate. These positions call for passionate and adaptable problem solvers who can help us question and reimagine how Oregon’s policies and systems support every child to learn, grow, and thrive. Learn more, share, and apply by March 5.

Employment Foundations for a Better Oregon is an equal opportunity employer. Please check to see if we have job opportunities.

Last week, FBO joined over 20 community partners and nearly 30 bipartisan legislators at the state capitol to champion summer learning for Oregon children.

High-quality and culturally relevant summer learning is a national priority and an evidence-based strategy to counter the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on student learning and well-being.

Read more about last week’s powerful show of community-driven advocacy in Salem, and join us: Urge your state legislators to fully fund House Bill 4082 and make summer learning possible for Oregon children this year and beyond.

Thank you to our partners including Latino Network, Project Youth+, NAYA Action Fund, Self Enhancement, Inc., Adelante Mujeres, REAP, Building Healthy Families, Arts in Education of the Gorge, and Oregon Community Foundation, and legislative champions for summer learning including State Representative Susan McLain and Representative Courtney Neron.

2024 Legislative Session Starts Strong for Summer Learning FBO joins over 20 community partners and nearly 30 bipartisan legislative sponsors to champion House Bill 4082 for Oregon children.

In a session largely defined by broken-down dialogue and closed-door decision-making, the Oregon Legislature pieced together policies and investments in the final hours without a clear, cohesive, or community-driven vision for Oregon children.

2023 Oregon Legislative Session Delivers Mixed Results for Oregon Children Opportunities to build shared vision for children, public education, and care were undermined by deep divides in Salem.

Oregon's 2023 legislative session is happening now! What are we advocating for this session?

We're joining the Oregon Partners for Education Justice and urging state legislators to advance a racially just and community-centered public education for every Oregon child.

From ethnic studies and summer learning to data justice and school spending transparency, OPEJ's 2023 priorities will uphold Oregon’s commitment to equity and build a stronger public education system that works for all.

Join us: Contact your state legislators and ask them to support OPEJ’s 2023 Legislative Agenda.

Not sure who represents you in Salem? Want to learn more about OPEJ's 2023 priorities? Head over to www.oregoneducationjustice.org for more.

At Foundations for a Better Oregon's 2023 Legislative Summit, we had the honor of gathering over 80 leaders from across Oregon to build shared vision and leadership for children, education, and care.

For more on how Oregon must center children during the 2023 legislative session, read our key takeaways from the Summit: bit.ly/3X3ShkV

The Summit featured a town hall dialogue with Oregon state legislators, insights from community leaders advancing education justice, and a powerful keynote from Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen , author of "The Future of Smart."

We’re grateful to all who joined the Summit, including Rep. Ricki Ruiz, Rep. Andrea Valderrama, Representative Courtney Neron, State Senator Michael Dembrow, Sen. Suzanne Weber Representative Zach Hudson, Rep. Hoa Nguyen for Oregon, Rep. Ben Bowman for Oregon State House, Governor Tina Kotek's education adviser Melissa Goff, and leaders from Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon - APANO, FACT Oregon, Adelante Mujeres, Kairospdx, CAPACES Leadership Institute, Central Oregon Disability Support Network, Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality, The Ford Family Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, Northwest Health Foundation, Stand for Children - Oregon, Children's Institute, Our Children Oregon, Oregon Education Association, Coalition of Oregon School Administrators, Center on Reinventing Public Education, and NWEA, among many more.

2023 Legislative Summit Builds Shared Vision and Leadership for Oregon Children Over eighty Oregon policymakers, community leaders, and advocates gathered for a day of learning, visioning, and dialogue.

Opinion: The leadership that Oregon children need now From learning loss to mental health struggles, Oregon's children face a host of challenges that our next governor must address, write Kali Thorne Ladd of Children's Institute and Whitney Grubbs of Foundations for a Better Oregon. But the candidates for governor have said little about they would conf...

“As young Oregonians move bravely into an uncertain future, our next governor should show the same courage when fighting for their future.”

In a new op-ed for The Oregonian, FBO’s Whitney Grubbs and Children's Institute's Kali Thorne Ladd call on Oregon’s next governor—whoever voters ultimately choose—to build a bold and shared vision for children at this historic moment.

Opinion: The leadership that Oregon children need now From learning loss to mental health struggles, Oregon's children face a host of challenges that our next governor must address, write Kali Thorne Ladd of Children's Institute and Whitney Grubbs of Foundations for a Better Oregon. But the candidates for governor have said little about they would conf...

In a new op-ed for The Oregonian, FBO's Whitney Grubbs explains why state leaders must build on the Student Success Act and apply its powerful vision, values, and approach to Oregon’s largest investment in public education: the State School Fund.

"Only then," writes Whitney, "will the entirety of our public education system be geared toward ensuring every child in Oregon—no matter their identity, zip code, or circumstances—thrives at school and in life."

Opinion: To improve K-12, look to State School Fund A recent report by the Oregon secretary of state's office has started an important conversation on ensuring accountability for initiatives in the Student Success Act, writes Whitney Grubbs, executive director of Foundations for a Better Oregon. But the state needs to broaden the conversation and ins...