People for Portland

People for Portland is a US nonprofit organization designated as a 501(c)(4) civic league, social welfare organization, and local association of employees. It was founded by political consultants Dan Lavey and Kevin Looper in September 2021. The organization aimed to address pressing issues in Portland, including homelessness, public safety, and city cleanliness.

Mission and Activities

The group focused on pushing local government officials to take concrete actions to solve these problems. Their approach included public polling, TV advertising, and mass-email campaigns to influence decision-making. People for Portland also organized town halls, such as one on homelessness that attracted over 6,000 attendees. Through their efforts, supporters sent thousands of emails to elected officials, advocating for policy changes like increased shelters and enhanced public safety measures.

Financials and Donors

As a 501(c)(4) organization, donations to People for Portland are not tax-deductible. The group received significant contributions, with total revenues primarily composed of donations. Reports indicate that contributors included prominent business leaders like Greg Goodman and David Gold. The organization was criticized for not disclosing its donors, a common practice for 501(c)(4)s, which led to concerns about "dark money" influencing their campaigns.

Controversy and Impact

People for Portland was controversial from its inception. Critics argued that the group's push for stricter homeless policies, such as camping bans and mandatory shelter entry, was inhumane and failed to address the root causes of homelessness. Supporters, however, saw the organization as providing necessary pressure on local officials to address pressing issues. The group was investigated by the Secretary of State for possible election law violations related to its association with a PAC.

Legacy and Shutdown

Despite controversy, People for Portland claimed to have changed the political landscape in Portland by amplifying mainstream views on public safety and homelessness. Founders Looper and Lavey stated that they had exhausted their role in influencing local politics and felt their mission was transitioning to changing the politicians themselves, which is beyond their scope. As a result, the organization announced its shutdown in September 2024.

References

• [1] ProPublica - Nonprofit Explorer: People for Portland
• [2] OPB: Taking stock of People for Portland and its big goals
• [3] KGW: Lobbying group People for Portland shutting down
• [4] OPB: People for Portland is spending big to change the city's approach to homelessness
• [5] Street Roots: Secretary of State investigating People for Portland for possible election law violations