Stories of Local Activism #12
PolicyLink
Building a Nation that Governs for All
Oakland, California
PolicyLink is a national research and action institute working to advance the laws, policies, and public demand necessary to realize a nation in which governance is designed to govern for all. Grounded in a broader movement, PolicyLink brings together partners, resources, and knowledge alongside legal, policy, regulatory, and narrative strategies to deliver change at scale.
Based in Oakland, California, PolicyLink positions itself not simply as a think tank, but as an intermediary that connects research, advocacy, coalition building, and practical tools in service of racial and economic equity. Its work spans multiple domains, including governing institutions, housing and land justice, infrastructure, water equity and climate resilience, and business and investment leadership.
PolicyLink offers practical tools that help communities prevent displacement, build community ownership, and respond to disinvestment. Its featured tools also give advocates, movement leaders, and policymakers data and strategies to advance racial equity, shared prosperity, and inclusive growth.
Mission
PolicyLink works to advance the laws, policies, and public demand necessary to realize a nation that governs for all. Its broader vision is a future in which communities are clean, safe, healthy, and resilient; governing institutions deliver fair outcomes; and all people can participate in an equitable economy that enables collective flourishing.
Their Story
Source: PolicyLink
What They Do
PolicyLink works to change unfair systems. It focuses on policies, laws, and public systems that shape daily life.
1. Strengthening democracy and fair government
2. Building a more just and equitable economy
3. Improving housing and advancing land justice
4. Supporting fair and inclusive infrastructure
5. Promoting water equity and climate resilience
How They Do It
PolicyLink’s model combines research, policy design, advocacy, coalition support, and field-building to support its mission.
1. Advance Policy and Legal Strategies for a Multiracial Democracy
Through its “Governing for All” work, PolicyLink aims to change the values, laws, practices, measures, and legal rules that shape public life. It focuses on equal protection, responsive government, and democratic accountability.
2. Work Toward a Just and Equitable Economy
PolicyLink co-founded the Corporate Racial Equity Alliance with FSG and JUST Capital. Together they are creating new business standards to help build a more just and equitable economy. These standards give U.S.-based businesses a shared language and a clear roadmap to advance equity and inclusion, fight discrimination, and act responsibly in the workplace and across society.
3. Housing Futures & Land Justice Initiatives
PolicyLink works with partners to address housing challenges. It develops Housing Futures resources to help people design and carry out housing models that give everyone stability and the chance to pursue bold futures. The Spatial Futures Initiative is a policy hub focused on reparative spatial justice in land and housing.
4. Advancing Just Infrastructure
PolicyLink works to strengthen the capacity of partners to advance infrastructure justice. It also develops standards that foster equitable, sustainable, prosperous and inclusive built environments. PolicyLink chairs the Transportation Equity Caucus, a network of nonprofit organizations working together to transform the transportation systems in all communities.
5. Promoting Water Equity and Climate Resilience
PolicyLink leads the Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus, which has grown into a national network of organizations across the US. The caucus is working together to set strategy, grow power and policy momentum, and advance a national narrative that propels equitable water and climate solutions for their communities.
Theory of Change
Actionable Data + Policy Design + Coalition Power + Public Narrative → Structural Change Toward a Nation That Governs for All
PolicyLink’s theory of change rests on the premise that enduring racial and economic justice requires more than isolated programs. When communities, advocates, and policymakers have access to strong evidence, practical policy tools, movement partnerships, and compelling public narratives, they are better positioned to reshape institutions and win durable structural reforms.
Events–Workshops–Forums
IMPACT
PolicyLink has helped shape major federal policy wins that have improved lives in communities across the country.
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Helping 12 Promise Neighborhoods launch more than $800 million in programs to improve education for 300,000 children
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Helping deliver more than $1 billion through Healthy Food Financing to bring healthy food to low-income communities
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Helping secure $250 million for Sustainable Communities work that supported fair housing and expanded access to opportunity
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Helping design and launch My Brother’s Keeper, a leading national initiative for boys and men of color, and supporting more than 50 cities in building related programs
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Through the National Equity Atlas, PolicyLink provides one of the country’s most detailed public tools for measuring racial and economic equity and connecting those metrics to policy strategies.
Take Action
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Share this story with your network.
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Use Their Tools
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Policymakers, advocates, and organizers can use the National Equity Atlas for actionable data to advance racial equity and shared prosperity.
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Housing/Anti-Displacement: Find practical ways to keep housing affordable, prevent displacement, and protect renters. It helps choose strategies that support stable housing, stronger neighborhoods, and fair access to opportunity.
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Bay Area Equity Atlas: a comprehensive data support system to track the state of equity across the San Francisco Bay area and inform solutions for inclusive prosperity
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Upcoming Events
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Connect with PolicyLink
Website: https://PolicyLink.org
Instagram: @policylink
LinkedIn: @policylink
Contact PolicyLink Team: contact page
