PolicyLink

Equitable economy - this portfolio is dedicated to promoting economic inclusion and ownership to eliminate poverty, shrink inequality, and increase mobility. This program includes all-in-cities, national equity atlas, bay area equity atlas, the federal job guarantee, racial wealth gap, corporate racial equity index and financial security and is a body of work driven by data and demographic analysis that is applied to the development of policy proposals and strategy development to secure opportunity for all, including people in low income communities and communities of color. These programs are designed to further the development of an equitable economy: one in which working-class people and people of color have good jobs, economic security, rising standards of living, and increased voice, power, and ownership.

Just society - this portfolio is dedicated to building power and expanding agency to ensure that all systems and institutions are just, free of racial bias, and lead to a vibrant democracy where all, especially the most vulnerable, can participate and prosper. To do so, Policylink provides representation, analysis, and strategies to community-based coalitions working toward equity in economic development and criminal justice. This includes advancing policies related to inequitable fines, police accountability and alternatives, and the needs of boys and men of color. Specific projects include Policylink legal; alliance for boys and men of color; community safety and justice, fines and fees; and public safety metrics.

Healthy communities of opportunity - this portfolio is dedicated to creating and maintaining opportunity-rich communities in all neighborhoods and all regions of the country through strong networks and social capital, equitable development, and infrastructure investments that enable low-income people and communities of color to thrive. Work in this area includes advancing housing justice, advocating for equitable infrastructure investments, cultivating inclusive social enterprises in an equitable food system, pushing for water justice and climate resilience, and supporting cradle-to-career policies and practices. This program includes such projects as anti-displacement policy network; affirmatively furthering fair housing; water equity and climate resilience caucus; the convergence partnership; cradle-to-career advocacy; building and sustaining healthy communities; healthy food procurement; health equity fellowship for systems change leaders; community development investment initiative; and arts, culture, and equitable development initiative.

Other programs - central to its mission, Policylink seeks to expand the thinking, reach, and power of local partners by creating more fertile ground for action through framing national debates and policy advocacy. This portfolio is dedicated to supporting and growing the equity movement and building new alliances and partnerships across the Policylink program areas that empower advocates to win on equity. Policylink's flagship initiative is the equity summit, which is held approximately every three years and assembles over 4,000 leaders to design and chart the course of the equity movement. Additional projects include the following: the office of the founder in residence, race equity and inclusion consultancies, and strategic communications initiatives.