In 2015, City Council unanimously adopted the Citywide Racial Equity Goals, which prioritize fairness in hiring and promotions, greater contracting opportunities, strengthened public engagement, and elimination of barriers in all areas of government for all Portlanders, and this includes our communities of color, immigrants, and refugees.
These goals have not changed. However, like local governments across Oregon and the nation, Portland has faced tough decisions about how to achieve these goals in the face of threats of criminal prosecution from the White House. These threats also impact our federal funds unless we discontinue programs and services that could violate federal anti-discrimination laws.
The City manages $349 million in active federal grants. To secure new federal grants, and renew existing grants, the City must certify that Portland complies with lawful grant requirements.
In July 2025, Mayor Keith Wilson issued an executive order ensuring City programs and services comply with federal anti-discrimination laws by barring preference to groups with “protected-class status” based on characteristics such as race or gender, unless the City pursues a disparity study that legally supports that preference. This requirement applies to all city business, not just projects funded by federal grants.
City staff are now developing action plans for impacted programs and policies, with guidance from the Office of Equity and Human Rights, in close coordination with City Council. Some adjustments are relatively straightforward, such as clarifying that a resource is available to all Portlanders.
The Office of Equity and Human Rights has strategies to ensure systems do not include race, gender, or other protected class status as a factor in decision-making, if prohibited by law, so that City programs are equitable and reach all populations.
For programs in city code, legislation will go to the City Council for approval.
Wilson consulted councilors and more than a dozen community leaders before making his decision, which he announced in a letter to partners.
Wilson has stressed that the City of Portland remains committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Those words – and the intent behind them – will remain prominent in city programs and communications.
“In Portland, we believe in diversity, we believe in equity, and we believe in inclusion. We say those words proudly,” Wilson said. “We will continue to operate the vast majority of programs designed to help all Portlanders, including people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQIA2S+ people and people with disabilities, by making city government more inclusive and more accessible.”
Portland’s decision has ripple effects beyond City Hall. The City distributes federal grants to dozens of “sub-recipients” – community organizations and government partners who work together to deliver projects. If the City had decided to forgo federal funding, those partners would be directly affected.
Learn more about Portland's evolving partnership with the federal government: