What OREGON WALKS does

Oregon Walks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1991 in Portland, Oregon, originally as the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition and rebranded in November 2012. The organization promotes walking and advocates for safe, convenient, and attractive walking conditions as an essential part of thriving, sustainable, and connected communities. It serves pedestrians broadly across the Portland metro region, with particular focus on underserved East Portland neighborhoods and communities of color disproportionately affected by traffic violence and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure.

Oregon Walks operates a portfolio of community programs, advocacy campaigns, and research products rather than a technology platform. Core programs include the Walking School Bus, AARP NeighborWalks, the Dementia-Friendly Walking Group, Connect-a-Park, STEPtember, the We Walk: Black Walking Initiative, the Afro-Ecology Walking Series, and the Walk the Talk, Talk the Walk learning series. The 82nd Ave Coalition, co-led with APANO, Verde, and Unite Oregon, represents the organization's largest strategic initiative and helped secure the transfer of 82nd Avenue from ODOT to the City of Portland, unlocking $185M+ in infrastructure investment alongside ~$330M in TriMet transit investment and $400-500M in Prosper Portland Tax Increment Financing. Research output is anchored by the Fatal Pedestrian Crash Report, a comprehensive analysis of all 48 fatal pedestrian crashes in Portland from 2017-2019. The organization is governed by a 9-member board and led by an executive team including Executive Director Mike Dennis, Program Manager Sara Etter, and Community Organizer Zachary Lauritzen.

The business model is nonprofit grant-and-donation dependent. Revenue derives from individual donations collected through Network for Good, corporate sponsorships (Thomas, Coon, Newton, & Frost; TriMet; Multnomah County REACH; PBOT; Prosper Portland; Metro; CareOregon; Forum Law Group; KPFF; Beneficial State Bank; NW Natural; Kline Personal Law), government and foundation grants (notably ODOT for the Speed Kills Campaign and Metro's 2040 planning and development grants), and fundraising events including the annual Walkstars gala at OMSI. Services are provided free of charge; there is no commercial pricing model. The organization distributes programming through direct community organizing, volunteer walk leaders, and coalition-based advocacy rather than commercial channels.

Name

OREGON WALKS

Legal name

Oregon Walks

Website

https://oregonwalks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Oregon Walks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that advocates for pedestrian safety and walkable communities in the Portland metro region through community organizing, coalition-based advocacy (82nd Ave Coalition), educational programs (Walking School Buses, NeighborWalks), and pedestrian crash research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pedestrian Advocacy Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (487110), Convention and Visitors Bureaus (561591), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Transportation Services (4700), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Walking City Tours (Highlights & Orientation) (THAJAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Service Learning, Volunteer & Community Engagement Trips (THAKAGAF), Recreational Outings, Community Participation & Mobility Support (Non-Clinical) (HSABAAAI)

Keywords

• Pedestrian safety advocacy
• Community walking programs
• Walkable community initiatives
• Nonprofit transportation advocacy
• Vision Zero advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Oregon Walks generates revenue through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events including the annual Walkstars gala. Sponsors include Thomas, Coon, Newton, & Frost; Trimet; Multnomah County REACH; PBOT; Prosper Portland; Metro; CareOregon; Forum Law Group; kpff; Beneficial State Bank; NW Natural; and Kline Personal Law.
2. Grants and Government Funding: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Oregon Walks receives grant funding from government agencies and foundations for specific programs such as the Speed Kills Campaign funded by Oregon Department of Transportation, and participates in government-funded initiatives like the 82nd Ave Coalition funded by American Relief Act.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Oregon Walks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that promotes walking and advocates for safe, convenient, and attractive walking conditions through community programs (Walking School Buses, AARP NeighborWalks, STEPtember, Dementia-Friendly Walking Group, Connect-a-Park), coalition-based advocacy (82nd Ave Coalition), research (Fatal Pedestrian Crash Report), advisory services (Plans and Projects Committee), and annual fundraising events (Walkstars Gala) serving the Portland metro region.

Product overview

Oregon Walks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that promotes walking and advocates for safe, convenient, and attractive walking conditions. The organization operates multiple programs including the Walking School Bus Program, 82nd Ave Coalition, AARP NeighborWalks, Connect-a-Park, Dementia-Friendly Walking Group, and STEPtember. Oregon Walks also produces research products such as the Fatal Pedestrian Crash Report and provides advisory services through its Plans and Projects Committee. The organization hosts the annual Walkstars Gala to recognize pedestrian advocates and runs specialized initiatives like the We Walk: Black Walking Initiative, Afro-Ecology Walking Series, Speed Kills Campaign, and Walk the Talk, Talk the Walk learning series focused on equity in active transportation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 82nd Ave Coalition A community-led coalition working to transform 82nd Avenue from a state highway into a safe, transit-rich, people-centric corridor. Partners with APANO, Verde, and Unite Oregon to develop community-led equitable development strategies focused on workforce development, climate resilience, childcare access, business stabilization, equitable housing, and community development.
• Walking School Bus Program A program that helps neighbors become local leaders for safer, healthier, and more connected communities by developing community transportation champions who create walking programs tailored to their own neighborhoods and schools.
• AARP NeighborWalks A collaborative community walking program with AARP Oregon and the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation designed to get more people walking every day for health, transportation, environment, and community. Walks are developed and led by AARP volunteer leaders.
• Connect-a-Park Walking routes in Portland that connect multiple parks, developed with Portland Community College GIS students to enable continuous green-space walks across the city.
• Dementia-Friendly Walking Group A walking series created in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association Oregon & Southwest Washington Chapter providing space for folks with early-stage dementia and their care partners to connect while enjoying fresh air and exercise.
• STEPtember An annual month-long walking event promoting walking as a fun, healthy, ubiquitous activity in the Portland metro region, inspired by the Pedalpalooza model for biking, encouraging community members to create and lead walks in their neighborhoods.
• Oregon Walks Fatal Pedestrian Crash Report A comprehensive analysis of all 48 fatal pedestrian crashes in Portland from 2017-2019, providing crash reviews, facts and figures, and focus issues to guide transportation planning and pedestrian advocacy, including findings on lighting conditions and racial disparities in crash fatalities.
• Plans and Projects Committee A volunteer committee that provides input on pedestrian-related plans and projects throughout the region by representing Oregon Walks on advisory committees and providing written comments and testimony.
• Walkstars Gala Oregon Walks' annual fundraiser event celebrating champions of walkable Portland, featuring Walkstar Awards recognizing individuals and organizations making significant contributions to pedestrian advocacy.
• We Walk: Black Walking Initiative A program highlighting the need for Black people to feel safe walking in public spaces, featuring weekly walking routes and partnerships with organizations like Black to Nature.
• Afro-Ecology Walking Series A walking series exploring the Afro-Ecology Framework, including community, spirituality, and justice while connecting participants to urban and natural spaces.
• Speed Kills Campaign An education campaign funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation empowering youth voices to inform communities about the dangers of high-speed driving through youth-created content on social media.
• Walk the Talk, Talk the Walk A series of learning opportunities focused on disrupting racism in active transportation advocacy, programming, and policy spaces.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82nd Avenue transfer from ODOT to City of Portland brought $185 million for improvements
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, supporting and core.

• OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry)minorOthers · 17 May 2025Venue host for the annual Walkstars gala fundraiser event. The 2025 event was held at OMSI's Theory Restaurant.
• Alzheimer's Association Oregon & Southwest Washington ChaptersupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Partnership established in fall 2021 to create the Dementia-Friendly Walking Group, a walking series providing space for people with early-stage dementia and their care partners to connect while enjoying fresh air and exercise. Oregon Walks manages the walking program while the Alzheimer's Association provides resources, referrals, and event promotion through their 24/7 helpline (800-272-3900).
• APANO (Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPANO is a key nonprofit partner in the 82nd Ave Coalition, working side by side with Oregon Walks, Verde, and Unite Oregon to develop community-led transformation strategies for the 82nd Avenue corridor. The coalition has developed a comprehensive development strategy with six focus areas including workforce development, climate resilience, childcare access, business stabilization, equitable housing, and community development, with $185M+ in infrastructure investment secured from the jurisdictional transfer of 82nd Avenue from ODOT to the City of Portland.
• VerdecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVerde is an environmental justice nonprofit and coalition partner in the 82nd Ave Coalition, bringing expertise in climate resilience and environmental advocacy to the community-led development effort along the 82nd Avenue corridor. The partnership focuses on equitable development that addresses environmental justice concerns for the diverse communities along the corridor.
• Unite OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnite Oregon is a grassroots organizing nonprofit partner in the 82nd Ave Coalition, contributing community organizing expertise and amplifying resident voices in the planning and development process for the 82nd Avenue transformation.
• AARP OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAARP Oregon partners with Oregon Walks and City of Portland Bureau of Transportation on the NeighborWalks program, a collaborative community walking initiative designed to get more people walking every day for health, transportation, environment, and community. Walks are developed and led by AARP volunteer leaders with support from community partners.
• Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPBOT is the primary government partner for pedestrian infrastructure improvements in Portland. Oregon Walks advocates for pedestrian safety policies, testified in support of the transportation utility fee to advance Vision Zero and complete the sidewalk network, and partners on programs like NeighborWalks, 82nd Avenue improvements, Trees in the Curb Zone pilot, and the Better Burnside initiative.
• Metro (Portland Metro Government)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetro is the regional government partner for the 82nd Ave Coalition, providing funding through the $1.3 million 2040 planning and development grants and leading planning processes for the Eastport Plaza conceptual master plan and other corridor improvements.
• TriMetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTriMet is leading an approximately $330 million transit investment on 82nd Avenue, including potential Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. Oregon Walks participates in planning discussions through the 82nd Ave Coalition to ensure pedestrian-friendly transit stops and ensure 82nd Avenue remains a destination, not just a through street.
• Portland Parks & Recreation Urban ForestrysupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical partner on the Trees in the Curb Zone pilot project, providing expertise in tree selection, planting, and long-term maintenance for the bump outs constructed in the Lents neighborhood. PBOT's Pedestrian Realm Coordinator Gena Gastaldi leads the project with support from Oregon Walks.
• DepavesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental nonprofit partner for the SAFE SANDY Walk Audit event, collaborating on community walk audits of the proposed Future Green Plaza safe street and pocket park on SE Sandy Boulevard and SE Stark Street. Depave leads the partnership with PBOT and Portland Indigenous Marketplace on the pocket park development.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• BikePortland: Portland-based active-transportation news and advocacy outlet; locally comparable as a Portland-metro advocacy voice that has been cited in Oregon Walks programs and amplifies overlapping Vision Zero and pedestrian-safety coverage.
• The Street Trust: Oregon-based multimodal transportation advocacy nonprofit (formerly Bicycle Transportation Alliance); directly comparable as a same-state active-transportation advocacy peer competing for the same Portland-metro donor and policy channels.

Direct peers

• Walk San Francisco: San Francisco pedestrian safety and walkable-streets advocacy nonprofit; directly comparable as a city-scale pedestrian advocacy org that combines community walks, Vision Zero campaigns, and policy testimony.
• America Walks: National nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to making walking safer and easier across the U.S.; directly comparable as a walking-promotion and pedestrian-advocacy nonprofit and a likely grant-maker/convener to Oregon Walks.
• Walk Boston: Massachusetts-based pedestrian advocacy nonprofit focused on safe, accessible, and walkable streets; directly comparable in mission, advocacy model, and program mix (community walks, policy work, and Vision Zero alignment).
• Safe Routes to School National Partnership: National nonprofit advancing safe walking and bicycling to schools; directly comparable because Oregon Walks' Walking School Bus program operates on the same SRTS framework and engages overlapping school-community stakeholders.
• Vision Zero Network: National nonprofit advancing Vision Zero to eliminate traffic deaths; directly comparable as a pedestrian-fatality reduction advocacy organization with overlapping funder and government partners.
• Transportation Alternatives: Larger NYC-based nonprofit advocating for safe streets for walking, biking, and transit; directly comparable as an urban pedestrian/active transportation advocacy organization with similar coalition and policy levers.

Broad incumbents

• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: National active-transportation nonprofit focused on trail-based walking and biking; broadly comparable as a larger incumbent in the active-transportation advocacy space with overlapping policy and federal-funding priorities.

Others

• Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT): Municipal transportation agency and primary government partner of Oregon Walks; included as the regulatory/funder counterparty rather than a competitor, since PBOT controls much of the pedestrian-infrastructure capital that Oregon Walks advocates for.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/oregonwalks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oregon-walks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OREGON WALKS