The Urban League of Portland continues to set the standard for nonprofit organizations in the Portland region. For the second time in three years, the organization was ranked the #1 nonprofit to work for in Oregon.
This is augmented by the League ranking #2 in 2022. Throughout Oregon Business’s history, this is a first for a Black-led or a civil rights and social justice organization. Participating nonprofits were scored on surveys their employees completed anonymously. Urban League employees rated high satisfaction with five features of the workplace: work environment; management and communications; mission and goals; career development and learning; and benefits and compensation. One component of the Urban League’s full benefits package is free health care for every employee.
“Free health care ensures that my staff members put their own safety masks on first, so that they are better able to help others,” Urban League President and CEO Nkenge Harmon Johnson says. “The Urban League helps move people in our community from surviving to thriving. We can’t help anyone if we’re sick.”
Urban League employees repeatedly cited excellent benefits, fair compensation, and family-friendliness. This trifecta contributes to the continued satisfaction of employees and their unwavering commitment to the League’s mission.
“Our longevity in the community proves the model; serving underserved folks makes this organization great,” one Urban League employee says. “During the past three years, we’ve ranked #1, twice. This is not by accident.” says Harmon Johnson. “In spite of systemic injustice, our staff consistently shows up for the community we serve because we are passionate about what we do.”
President Nkenge Harmon Johnson, Esq., the third longest serving leader of the Urban League of Portland, began her service in 2015. Under her leadership, the organization’s impact has grown by ten times since the start of President Harmon Johnson’s tenure. With a dedicated team of professionals, the Urban League helps African Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security, and quality of life across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
