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.
Portland voters approved the first Levy in 2002 and overwhelmingly renewed it four times; Levy funding runs through June 2029.
PCL funds more than 80 programs for children age birth through 24 in six program areas that support positive early development, school engagement and academic achievement, high school graduation, and family safety and stability. Community partners provide a range of services including access to high-quality childcare, parent-child activities for infants and toddlers, enriching after school programs, caring adult mentors, therapeutic supports in times of trauma and crisis, and daily access to nutritious food. Programs receive funding through a competitive application process.
