About Us

Our Mission

Portland Downtown stimulates a vibrant, thriving, and sustainable downtown community.

What We Do

Portland Downtown is a 501c4 nonprofit Downtown Improvement District (DID). Our founding purposes – established in 1992 – still guide our work today:

  • We represent the business, cultural, and residential community in the on-going development and management of downtown Portland.
  • We create a cleaner, safer, well-managed downtown so that Portland can successfully compete as an environment in which to live, do business, shop, and visit.
  • We stimulate commercial, retail, and cultural activities through marketing and promotional initiatives that enhance the image of downtown Portland.
  • To learn more about our work & impact, please check out our 5-Year Strategic Plan and our most recent Annual Report (available in English and French).

Who’s Involved

To make the downtown experience the best it can be, we have an active and engaged Board of Directors, dedicated committees, and amazing volunteers. We also partner with other local organizations and community leaders who share our vision for a clean, safe, and vibrant downtown.

How We’re Funded

Portland Downtown is funded through a tax assessment paid by property owners within the downtown district. In addition, many of our community events and programs are made possible thanks to the support of generous sponsors.

District Map

Click here to view a map of our downtown district boundaries.

Portland Downtown adheres to transparency requirements applied to Maine 501c4 organizations. Externally-facing meetings, forums, panel discussions, etc. may be open to the public based on purpose. Financial documents, disclosures and other information that are required to be made available to the public, or are available as part of the City of Portland budget process, can be found in the About Us section of the website. Property owners and business owners in the district who seek additional information should contact the Executive Director.