A learning partnership.

Our Next 20 is a project of North Star Civic Foundation.

Two years ago, North Star Civic Foundation brought seven organizations together to form a “study group” to learn about the state’s coming fiscal stress. In the spirit of learning in order to serve Oregon communities better, we began with four guiding questions: 

• What is the fiscal health and resiliency of Oregon’s local governments? 

• What is the timeline and magnitude of expected fiscal shortfalls?

• How are they likely to be distributed throughout Oregon?

• What impact can we predict for families, communities, and the ongoing economic strength of the state?

We’re still learning, and we invite you to join us.

It took us several months to get up to speed in this complex area of policy. The report shares an overview of fundamental information in the spirit of inviting new thought partners to join us. It also shares some of the technical solutions that could be used by lawmakers to address the state’s coming fiscal crisis.

As we move forward we will continue to add new information and ideas to this space.

Thank you!

This project has relied heavily on the willing thought partnership of dozens on community leaders in philanthropy, rural economic development, education, public finance, and civic engagement, as well as community leaders from culturally specific organizations, legislators, city and county elected and appointed leaders and budget administrators.

Our “study group” has grown and evolved. The individuals below have given generously of their time and ideas, sometimes across disagreement. Oregon is poised to have a bright future because of the leadership and sincere engagement of people like you. 

Amy Ruiz, Andrea Paluso, Andrew Scott,
Caitlin Baggott Davis, Carol Samuels,
Cheryl Myers, Dana Hepper, Diana Nuñez, Emily Evans, Jesse Beason, Ian Galloway, Jefferson Smith, Jennifer Yocom, John Kitzhaber, Kali Ladd, Kelley Weigel, Kimberly Howard, Margaret Kirkpatrick, Marina Kaminsky, Mary Li, Rukaiyah Adams, Ryan Fisher, Scott Nine, Swati Adarkar, Trina Stout

Research Team

• PSU, Center for Public Service

• ECONorthwest

Research and Report Partnership

The Rural Resiliency research, “Our Next 20” report and “What Do Local Governments Do?” supplement were developed  with support from:

• Foundations for a Better Oregon

• North Star Civic Foundation

• Northwest Health Foundation

• The Ford Family Foundation

• The Women’s Foundation for Oregon

Rural Resiliency Research Advisors

• Chair: Caitlin Baggott Davis
  North Star Civic Foundation

• Anne Kubisch
  The Ford Family Foundation 

• Emily Evans
  The Women’s Foundation of Oregon

• Ian Galloway
  The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

• Mark Mulvihill
  InterMountain ESD

• Mariana Lindsay
  ALF-OR

• Mike Dickerson
  Craft3