City Club of Portland

Mission

To inform our members and the community in public matters and to arouse in them a realization of the obligations of citizenship.

Bottom Line for Portland

Portland needs residents and leaders engaged in constructive conversations about the city’s future, and welcoming spaces to hold them, where they can share perspectives, build consensus, and sometimes agree to disagree, but ultimately put ideas into action that advance common goals.

Since 1916, City Club of Portland has been a steward of this type of civic infrastructure. Our members and community include decision-makers, business and community stakeholders, and everyday folks from every generation, profession, and background. What unites them is a commitment to their communities and a dedication to informed, thoughtful participation in civic life and democracy.

City Club bridges differences in power, priorities, and values through civil dialogue to surface the best ideas for sustaining what we love about the places we call home and improving what still needs work.
 

We do this through three core areas of work: public educational programs, research, and information campaigns that help everyone grow their civic knowledge, participation, and leadership.

Everything City Club does is member-led and made possible by the generosity of members' time, talent, and financial support. In addition to supporting City Club as a donor, please consider becoming a member. 

Learn about membership benefits and dues at pdxcityclub.org/membership.

Quote

“I first joined City Club in the early 1980s. Since then City Club has been my consistent source for civic engagement outside of my work as an attorney. I particularly enjoyed putting together programs for Friday Forums. City Club continues to provide a unique and inclusive venue for the issues and ideas that confront Portland now. It’s hard to think of a time when this forum has been more necessary than it is today.” 

– Carla Kelley, City Club Governor through 2027

“I recently brought my dad, a retired community journalist, to a City Club Friday Forum as a sort of ‘Take Your Dad to City Club’ day. Listening to retired Oregonian editor Therese Bottomly speak about the importance of local journalism made me grateful for spaces like City Club that bring people together across generations through curiosity, conversation, and care for Portland.” 

– Lisa Kislingbury Anderson, Friday Forum guest

Incentives

Give between Nov 21–Dec 4 to get a free pint at Steeplejack Brewing during the New Leaders Community Happy Hour on December 4.

Give $40 or more to get $40 off any annual City Club membership.

Partner(s)

Thank you to our Give!Guide partners Open Signal and Oregon Humanities for all you do to promote civic engagement and community engaged civic learning across our city and state. 

Together, we’re empowering more people to take part in civic life and strengthen their communities.