The Reynolds High School Participatory Budgeting (PB) process is an innovative Oregon program where students act as civic leaders. Through a collaborative, deliberative democratic process, students gain real decision-making power over $7,000 of school funds. Facilitated by PB Oregon, this initiative ensures direct student say in their school environment, emphasizing learning democracy through direct engagement.

The Your 2 Cents Portland initiative, launched by PB Oregon, Next Up Action Fund, and others, aims to bring participatory budgeting (PB) to the city. This campaign seeks to put a measure on the November 2026 ballot allowing all residents a direct vote on how to spend 2% of the city budget by 2028, ensuring all voices, not just entrenched interests, shape City Hall's spending decisions.

In 2021 we launched Oregon’s first participatory budgeting process, Youth Voice, Youth Vote PB. Youth living in east Portland that were between the ages of 13 to 25 determined how to spend $500,000 in federal funds for COVID recovery.

Advised the Oregon Health Authority, Metro, and and other government staff on participatory budgeting process design & implementation. 

Facilitated workshops and briefings with community organizations, public officials, and local governments to raise awareness about participatory budgeting, how it works, and its potential impacts and benefits for more equitable participation and outcomes. 

Built a diverse, intergenerational network of organizers to bring participatory budgeting to the city of Portland. In 2020, we advocated for the Portland Charter Commission to add a community budgeting process open to all residents to our city's charter. The City Council did not refer the amendment to voters, but we are now working on an initiative petition to put it on the ballot in 2024.

We've resourced the time and expertise of youth leaders, individuals, and organizations with over $150,000 for PB advocacy and implementation.

Established an organization based on participatory and liberatory practices that resources staff to grow, thrive, and contribute in a worker-directed nonprofit.

Led the effort to include participatory budgeting in Portland’s first Portland Clean Energy Fund Climate Investment Plan through Climate-friendly Schools.

Helped secure and allocate nearly $1.7 million in public funds towards participatory budgeting in Oregon.