Foundations for a Better Oregon
Our Vision
We envision a better Oregon that hears, values, and cares for every child. Communities, policymakers, system leaders, and philanthropy forge networks of trust, honor Oregon’s complexity, and move as one to remedy the historical and emerging injustices facing children. Public systems authentically engage families and communities in design and decision-making to uphold our collective commitment to children. Together, Oregonians nurture children’s learning, aspirations, and humanity, and every child knows that they belong.
ADVANCING OREGON’S COMMITMENT TO EVERY CHILD
“Finding common ground is a never-ending process,” says Koehler, a new FBO Board member who has mediated some of Oregon’s most challenging disputes.
With another historic investment in summer learning on the horizon, FBO and partners explore how community-based summer programs support youth to learn, grow, and thrive.
The short legislative session has ended with a failure to answer the calls of youth and community leaders to stand up for racial justice in public education.
Through photography, video, and the written word, FBO and partners open a window into the power of community-based summer learning.
Who We Are
At Foundations for a Better Oregon (FBO), we are fervent believers in Oregon’s children, families, and communities. We are conveners, researchers, advocates, and storytellers. And we are systems thinkers and bridge builders, reimagining how Oregon supports every child to learn, grow, and thrive.
What We Believe
We believe Oregon’s children are a shared responsibility. FBO's values, theory of change, and partnerships drive our work to ensure Oregon lives up to this sacred responsibility.
What We Do
FBO is demystifying complex systems and elevating community-driven solutions to disrupt the historical and emerging injustices facing Oregon children and families.
Our Strategic Priorities
Research & Data Is Community-Centered
Oregon should use data to measure children’s progress in ways that hold systems responsible for the outcomes they produce, without placing burden and blame on children and families.
Investment in Education Is Equitable & Coherent
To support every child to learn, grow, and thrive, Oregon’s investment in public education has to be equitable, sustainable, transparent, coherent, and accountable—especially for historically underserved children.
Decision-Making Is Inclusive & Participatory
To solve complex problems, authentic community engagement is vital—and in a healthy democracy, it requires so much more than a town hall meeting.
Acknowledging Native Land, Lives, and Ways of Knowing
News & Story
We’re thrilled to welcome Jason to our team as FBO’s Policy and Research Associate.
With another historic investment in summer learning on the horizon, FBO and partners explore how community-based summer programs support youth to learn, grow, and thrive.
The short legislative session has ended with a failure to answer the calls of youth and community leaders to stand up for racial justice in public education.
New K-12 social studies standards can make learning more engaging, rigorous, and inclusive for all students. Now, the state must help schools prepare.
FBO and the Oregon Partners for Education Justice (OPEJ) are urging lawmakers to invest in professional development for ethnic studies in Oregon.
The story of Oregon’s 2021 graduation rate is a growing collective effort to ensure every child has access to equitable education and individualized learning.
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