It is entirely located within Minneapolis City Council Ward 6,[2] represented by Jamal Osman.

The Phillips community has only been subdivided into smaller neighborhoods within the last two decades; the boundaries of Phillips West were officially designated on April 29, 2005.

As this change has been fairly recent, most residents still refer to the area as just "Phillips".

The Phillips West Neighborhood Organization (PWNO) holds monthly community meetings (on the 1st Thursday of each month) and PWNO board meetings (on the 4th Monday of each month).

The PWNO also plans and hosts the annual Phillips West Winter Social and National Night Out events and participates in the Phillips West and Phillips Clean Sweep events.