Our
History

All Hands Raised was founded in 1994 as the Portland Public Schools Foundation. The organization came together in response to steep education funding cuts following Oregon’s Measure 5. Community members created it to advocate for and raise resources to support Portland Public Schools during a time of urgent need.

• In 2003, the organization expanded its mission through Connected by 25, recognizing that young people need support beyond the classroom and beyond high school. The goal shifted toward making sure all youth are connected to education, work, and community by the age of 25.

• In 2008, a report revealed that just 57% of Portland Public Schools’ Class of 2004 had graduated. It highlighted ninth grade success as a key factor in whether students stayed on track. In response, the organization launched Ninth Grade Counts, showing how shared data, common goals, and strong partnerships could drive change. This moment made clear that improving outcomes for students furthest from opportunity would require more than isolated programs. It called for collective action and a deep focus on equity.

• That same year, deeper partnerships began forming with seven local school districts and a broad set of culturally specific and community-based organizations. These early relationships helped shape an approach that centers the lived experience, wisdom, and leadership of BIPOC communities.

• In 2009, then-Mayor Sam Adams brought together a citywide coalition by merging his Education Cabinet with the Leaders Roundtable. This group was responding to low graduation rates and the urgent need for community-wide solutions. That same year, the organization was selected to serve as the backbone for this cross-sector effort. The role was not about leading the work alone but about holding space for collaboration, coordination, and shared accountability.

• In 2010, the organization joined the original StriveTogether network and began adapting its cradle to career framework for Multnomah County. This connected the local work to a growing national movement focused on racial equity, continuous improvement, and community-led systems change.

• In 2011, the organization changed its name to All Hands Raised to reflect a broader scope and expanded mission. That same year, the Partnership Council was formally established. This leadership table brings together BIPOC community leaders, educators, public agencies, philanthropy, and business partners. All Hands Raised continues to serve as the backbone for this group, helping to center student outcomes and equity in collective decision-making.

• In 2015, the work became more grounded at the school level. School-based site teams began bringing together educators, community partners, and data to test and refine strategies aimed at improving real outcomes for students of color. Focus areas have included reducing racial disparities in school discipline, increasing FAFSA completion and postsecondary access, expanding workforce pathways in construction and manufacturing, and improving attendance in the early grades.

• Over time, All Hands Raised developed a robust data infrastructure to support this work. A unique community-wide dashboard helps school and community leaders track progress and see where disparities persist. This kind of real-time information supports smarter policy decisions and more targeted resource allocation.

• Today, All Hands Raised continues to serve as a trusted backbone organization grounded in equity, partnership, and systems-level change. As part of the national StriveTogether network, our organization stands with more than 70 communities working to ensure that youth of color and those furthest from opportunity have the support they need to thrive from cradle to career.