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Advancing Belonging and Bridging Across Oregon

We’re building an Oregon where everyone belongs.

At OCF, we are committed to building a future where every Oregonian — regardless of race, background, geography, or circumstance — has the power to co-create the communities they are a part of.

From Equity to Belonging

For years, OCF has worked to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work to close opportunity gaps, fulfill our mission, and achieve our vision. That work continues.

Today, we are deepening and expanding our frame. We have come to understand that equity alone is not enough. We are working toward belonging without othering, where every person has not only access, but a meaningful voice and agency to shape institutions, policies, and structures that affect their lives.

In times when divides deepen, we believe bridging is essential. Bridging is the active practice of building relationships and trust across differences so that Oregon’s growing diversity becomes one of our greatest strengths.

Inspired by the work of civil rights scholar and Director of the Othering & Belonging Institute, john a. powell, we are asking deeper questions about what it means to include all Oregonians in our vision of a healthy, thriving, sustainable Oregon.

The Work of john a. powell

OCF’s approach to belonging and bridging draws on the foundational frameworks developed by john a. powell, an internationally recognized civil rights scholar; professor at the University of California, Berkeley; and director of the Othering & Belonging Institute.

  • Othering and Belonging: powell’s central framework that identifies “othering”—treating people as outsiders and denying their full humanity—as the driver of inequity. Belonging is an effective, powerful antidote to othering.
  • Bridging: The practice of building connection and trust across differences. Bridging doesn’t erase differences, but creates a broader “we.”
  • Targeted Universalism: powell’s policy framework that identifies universal goals for all while recognizing the need for tailored approaches to help different groups reach those goals.

Resources

OCF's Work to Advance Belonging for All

We are committed to supporting efforts that build belonging across all parts of our work and strengthening connections among the diverse communities in the state. Below is how this commitment currently shows up in our work.

  • Centering Communities Most Impacted
  • Bridging Across Oregon’s Divides
  • Applying Targeted Universalism

Belonging in Action

These initiatives represent OCF’s investment in advancing belonging across the state.

A Broader “We”

Oregon's communities are far more diverse and complex than they were throughout much of the state's history, and that diversity will continue to grow. OCF believes it is a source of vitality, creativity, and resilience to be nurtured. Bridging is how we turn that potential into practice.

Oregon’s disparities in education, income, health, and housing stability are results of structures built to other and exclude. Individually and institutionally, Oregonians must be committed to move forward as one state. As we do, we will discover that we are stronger economically, richer culturally, healthier physically and mentally, and better prepared educationally to meet the challenges we face together. Real change is seldom easy to achieve, and it requires strong, intentional leadership supported by open participation and the wisdom of many.