Progress Portsmouth

Why we exist — and what we've built

Our story

Built for residents who don't have time to go to every meeting

Progress Portsmouth grew out of a simple frustration: too many important city decisions were being shaped by too few voices. We believed Portsmouth worked best when more residents were engaged — not just the vocal few who show up to every public hearing.

Today we are a community advocacy organization — a conduit between residents, businesses, and City Council — developing into a nonprofit with a long-term commitment to this city.

2019
Founded in Portsmouth, NH
3K+
Residents informed across two elections
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No public funding · No party affiliation
Gerald Duffy & Byron Matto
Co-Founders, Progress Portsmouth
We are
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An independent watchdog and civic advocate
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Evidence-based in everything we publish
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A conduit between residents, businesses, and City Council
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Focused on housing, civic engagement, and transparency
We aren't
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A political party or PAC
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Affiliated with or funded by city government
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A direct service provider
2019
Founded
2021
PAC election — 8 of 9 supported
2023
Election Central — 1,500+ informed
2025
Housing Action Plan 9–0
2025
WHC Community Impact Award
What we've done

Results, not rhetoric

9–0
City Council vote
Portsmouth's Housing Action Plan
Unanimous adoption of NH's first municipal Housing Action Plan, after years of sustained advocacy.
3,000+
Citizens informed
Election Central: 2023 & 2025
Unbiased candidate profiles for two consecutive municipal elections, used by 3,000+ Portsmouth residents.
8 of 9
Top vote-getters supported
2021 City Council Election
In our only year as a PAC, we backed candidates representing Portsmouth's cross-section — and won.
Gerald Duffy accepting the 2025 Community Impact Award from Emmy Ham
Recognition

2025 Community Impact Award

Progress Portsmouth was honored by the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast with its 2025 Community Impact Award, presented by Executive Director Emmy Ham — recognition of the sustained work to make housing a central priority in Portsmouth's civic agenda.

Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast
Workforce Housing Coalition
of the Greater Seacoast