The 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon 2014


BY KIM MOORE

Proud, diverse and underpaid.

Pride in their organizations’ mission, fairness in the treatment of women and ethnic minorities, flexible work schedules — these are just a handful of workplace characteristics that employees of this year’s 100 Best Nonprofits appreciate about their organizations.

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BY KIM MOORE

Pride in their organizations’ mission, fairness in the treatment of women and ethnic minorities, flexible work schedules  —  these are just a handful of workplace characteristics that employees of this year’s 100 Best Nonprofits appreciate about their organizations. But not all is smooth sailing for the 100 Best. Staffers have low satisfaction rates for pay and benefits, as well as opportunities for promotion and training.

More than 180 nonprofits and approximately 5,500 employees took part this year in Oregon Business magazine’s sixth annual 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon survey. Participants came from a wide variety of sectors, including environmental, social service and education.

Results of the survey show employees of nonprofits have high average rates of pride and belief in their organizations’ missions, and they rate highly their workplaces’ progress in achieving their goals and purpose. “Staff and volunteers believe in and work toward accomplishing the mission in a fun, energized and creative culture,” says a staffer.

Nonprofits also do better than other sectors at providing equal opportunities to women and minorities. One of the highest average satisfaction rates employees gave their organizations was in the fair treatment of differing racial, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age and economic groups. On average, more than 60% of the 100 Best Nonprofits employ women in senior management roles — an above average rate compared with for-profit private and public companies.

The 100 Best Nonprofits are good places to work if you have a young family or obligations that require flexible work schedules. Employees of the 100 Best show a high average satisfaction rate for their workplaces’ flexibility in allowing employees to balance family, community and job obligations. “I have greatly appreciated the flexibility that has been offered when I have needed to prioritize parenting responsibilities,” one employee says.

The survey shows nonprofits lag behind on providing adequate benefits and compensation. Employees show a low average satisfaction rate for their organizations’ willingness to provide pay increases and benefits. Employees are less content with opportunities for promotion and training, as well as rewards and acknowledgement for making progress in their jobs. “I would like to see more opportunities for staff to receive raises to reward their hard work. I believe it would greatly impact retention in the work they do,” says an employee.

The 100 Best Nonprofits may do a good job at fulfilling their purpose and mission, but employees, unsurprisingly, also care about salary, benefits and opportunities to advance within their organizations.


 

 

LARGE ORGANIZATIONS (50 OR MORE OREGON EMPLOYEES)

Rank 2014
Rank 2013
Organization name
City
EMPs OR / total
Overall score
Description
1
NRThe Nature ConservancyPortland76513.93Advances conservation around the world in 35 countries
2
NRRogue Credit UnionMedford311509.29Credit union and financial services
3
NREnergy Trust of OregonPortland98507.03Energy efficiency and renewable energy developer, serving Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas
4
2Life Flight NetworkAurora200504.27Emergency air medical service
5
1Our HousePortland57502.47Provides health, housing and other services to people living with HIV/AIDS
6
10Ride ConnectionPortland60495.12Provides transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities
7
7B’nai B’rith CampBeaverton113490.57Overnight summer camp
8
6Maps Credit UnionSalem195490.12Financial services to members
9
29Childpeace MontessoriPortland56486.96Provides a Montessori education for toddlers through adolescents
10
5REACH Community Development Inc.Portland125486.11Affordable and low income housing developer and manager
11
NRNursingale for the Medically FragilePortland70483.19Home-based nursing care for medically fragile children and young adults
12
NRPacific Crest Federal Credit UnionKlamath Falls50479.35Financial services for credit union members
13
3Emerald People’s Utility DistrictEugene68479.09Public utility that provides electricity and internet services to the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area
14
30OCHINPortland190476.54Provides health IT solutions to improve the integration and delivery of healthcare services across a variety of practices
15
34Pentagon Federal Credit UnionEugene400476.52Credit union
16
NRPathway EnterprisesMedford140474.55Services for people with disabilities
17
NRFOOD for Lane CountyEugene59471.62Food bank dedicated to alleviating hunger by creating access to food
18
13Family Building BlocksSalem85468.82Relief nursery for children 6 weeks to 5 years
19
17Community Vision, Inc.Portland225468.54Services for individuals with disabilties, including supported living, home ownership and asset building
20
  NRBoys & Girls AidPortland114468.28Adoption, foster care, foster care adoption, residential facilities for at-risk teens and young adults
21
18Cascade Health SolutionsEugene150462.52Occupational medicine, home health, hospice, community wellness
22
35Transition Projects, Inc.Portland115462.33Services to move people from homelessness to housing
23
NRAbilitreeBend50459.14Services for people with disabilities, including peer counseling, independent skills training, advocacy, community inclusion and employment
24
14United Cerebral Palsy of Oregon & SW WashingtonPortland134458.85Intellectual and developmental disability advocate and service provider
25
33Northwest Family ServicesPortland62458.81Provides services that reduce poverty, including youth programs, professional counseling, couple’s classes, parenting, money management, job readiness and placement
26
NROHSU FoundationPortland115458.03Raises, manages, and distributes philanthropic support for OHSU.
27
32NeighborImpactRedmond190453.85Provides emergency services, preschool education, homeownership support to residents of Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties
28
19Outside InPortland135451.48Provides services to homeless youth
29
47Rose VillaPortland125449.25Continuing care retirement community
30
NRKids & Company of Linn CountyLebanon144448.02Comprehensive child development program that serves both the child and family
31
31ColumbiaCare Services Inc.Medford340445.52Residential and mental health services
32
NRWillamette Family IncEugene179444.32Substance abuse treatment, mental health, child development, medical clinic
33
NRImmigrant and Refugee Community OrganizationPortland150442.85Provides services to immigrants and refugees, including training and employment, health and aging, English language learning, naturalization and social adjustment

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MEDIUM ORGANIZATIONS (20-49 OREGON EMPLOYEES)

Rank 2014
Rank 2013
Organization name
City
EMPs OR / total
Overall score
Description
1
10“I Have a Dream” OregonPortland20517.93Helps low income students succeed in school, college and career
2
8Saving GraceBend25504.48Domestic violence and sexual assault intervention and prevention agency
3
NRCascades AcademyBend36501.09PK-12 independent school
4
17Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing FoundationPortland21498.66Screens, treats, saves, and restores sight and hearing to prevent blindness and deafness
TIE 5
NRBarkPortland29495.37Promotes preservation and restoration of Mt. Hood National Forest
TIE 5
1Playworks Pacific NorthwestPortland21495.37Promotes a school environment where kids thrive and have more positive opportunities for engagement
7
30CASA of OregonSherwood20492.63Helps local direct-service organizations improve the lives of Oregonians, particularly in the rural areas of the state
8
NRTrailhead Credit UnionPortland24491.40Credit union
9
3Sponsors, Inc.Eugene32490.87Prisoner reentry services
10
2Aim High Academy of Martial Arts, Inc.Beaverton26487.32Martial arts instruction, leadership training, community benefit
11
19The Wallace Medical ConcernPortland35486.48Primary, urgent and specialty care for low-income families and those with barriers to healthcare
12
NRThe Xerces SocietyPortland21484.52Conserves invertebrates and their habitat through advocacy, education, and applied research
13
27Rural Development Initiatives, IncEugene25484.22Builds leadership networks and communities by working in the areas of leadership development and rural economic vitality
14
NRInclusion IncPortland21483.45Case management services for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabiliites
15
5Willamette University MBA – Atkinson Graduate School of ManagementSalem41482.87Graduate management program, including MBA and non-degree options
16
12Care PartnersHillsboro49481.22Hospice home health and palliative healthcare
17
9HIV AllianceEugene43476.18Provides case management for HIV positive people, and prevention and education services to prevent future infections
18
22SMART (Start Making A Reader Today)Portland31476.07Engages community volunteers across Oregon to read one-on-one with pre-k through 3rd-grade children
19
17Our United VillagesPortland33472.93Provides free tools and resources to assist people who seek pathways to achieve more vibrant, resilient and equitable communities
20
32Lines for LifePortland30472.0224-hour crisis intervention and referral services in the areas of alcohol and drug abuse, and suicide
21
25The Freshwater TrustPortland40471.66Works to preserve rivers
22
13Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest WashingtonPortland25471.38Provides a home-away-from-home to families of seriously ill children, and support initiatives to improve pediatric health
23
16BRING RecyclingEugene21469.41Education and resale of used building and industrial materials
24
31Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc.Portland30469.38Affordable housing and associated services
25
NRVerdePortland21466.67Builds environmental wealth through social enterprise, outreach and advocacy
26
15Adelante MujeresForest Grove25462.61Provides holistic education and empowerment opportunities to low income Latina women and their families
27
NRLan Su Chinese GardenPortland22462.07Public Chinese garden
28
7Ashland Supportive HousingAshland32457.64Provides support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 24-hour residential, respite and in-home services
29
6Earth AdvantagePortland24456.52Provides knowledge to building professionals and information to consumers through certification, research, education, and product development to move the building industry towards more sustainable practices
30
37National Indian Child Welfare AssociationPortland23453.99Provides information on American Indian child welfare with a focus on the tribal capacity to prevent child abuse and neglect
31
38NW Preferred Federal Credit UnionTigard34452.52Federal credit union for people in the insurance industry
32
18Humane Society of Central OregonBend37452.51Cares for abandoned, stray, neglected, surrendered and abused animals and places adoptable animals in homes
33
NRFriends of TreesPortland23448.67Brings people in the Northwest together to plant and care for city trees and green spaces

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SMALL ORGANIZATIONS (FEWER THAN 20 OREGON EMPLOYEES)

Rank 2014
Rank 2013
Organization name
City
EMPs OR / total
Overall score
Description
1
1Oregon Environmental CouncilPortland19532.40Advances innovative, collaborative solutions to Oregon’s environmental challenges
2
NRPortland State University Business Outreach ProgramPortland10526.57Provides business consulting services to small businesses in Portland; offers PSU business students opportunities for community-based learning
3
2Western Rivers ConservancyPortland12525.33Protects the West’s rivers by purchasing land along them for the sake of fish, wildlife and people
4
NRLos Niños Cuentan Inc.Clackamas15517.77Supports Latino families impacted by domestic and sexual violence
5
16Western Energy InstitutePortland14516.20Educational and networking programs for energy professionals
6
NROregon’s Health CO-OPPortland12514.16Consumer oriented and operated private health insurance plan
7
NROregon Patient Safety CommissionPortland13508.39Works to reduce the incidence of healthcare related adverse events and improve the culture of patient safety
8
3Galt FoundationSalem10504.54Temporary staffing for individuals with disabilities
9
6Sustainable NorthwestPortland12504.29Creates innovative solutions for healthy landscapes and vibrant communities
10
5Portland Homeless Family SolutionsPortland14502.31Provides emergency shelter to homeless families with children; helps families get back into permanent housing
11
NRIndependence NorthwestPortland15499.05Offers case management and resource referral to adults with developmental disabilities
12
NRInnovative Housing, Inc.Portland10497.41Develops and operates affordable housing with services
13
25Oregon WildPortland13497.34Protects and restores Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters
14
22ROSE Community DevelopmentPortland8496.11Provides affordable housing
15
15Portland Women’s Crisis LinePortland12495.77Provides support serviecs and education for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
16
NRCollege PossibleGresham11494.15Makes college admission and success possible for low-income students through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support
17
7Family Relief Nursery – Cottage GroveCottage Grove16490.88Comprehensive child abuse prevention and family strengthening services
18
9Jesuit Volunteer Corps NorthwestPortland19490.58Recruits, places and supports Jesuit volunteers with social services, health, education, and environmental service partner agencies in the Pacific Northwest
19
21Elders in ActionPortland8490.34Works to create a vibrant community for all ages throughout the greater Portland area
20
NRMake-A-Wish OregonPortland15488.12Grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
21
NRUmpqua Training & Employment, Inc.Roseburg10487.75Provides/promotes job training, employment opportunities and related services
22
43Oregon HumanitiesPortland10487.56Runs statewide programs bringing Oregonians together to connect and build community
23
NROregon Zoo FoundationPortland18486.72Foundation supporting the Oregon Zoo
24
34Centro Latino AmericanoEugene13483.74Provides social services, facilitates access to community services, and advocates for fair treatment of the Latino community in Lane County
25
NRColumbia Land TrustPortland10482.75Conserves and cares for wetlands and oak woodlands
26
10Friends of Zenger FarmPortland12482.35Working farm in the heart of the city that models, promotes and educates about sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship, and community development
27
13Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis CenterPortland10481.47Provides domestic violence and sexual assault services to Americans living and traveling overseas
28
NRMid-Valley Women’s Crisis ServiceSalem13481.36Advocates for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking
29
NRFair Housing Council of OregonPortland13481.01Promotes and protects fair housing rights for Oregonians
30
NRThe Climate TrustPortland10479.20Works to accelerate project implementation, develop financing solutions, and establish a supportive policy environment in the renewable energy, agriculture, forestry and energy efficiency sectors
31
33Growing GardensPortland8479.14Helps people grow their own food in urban backyards and schoolyards
32
31The Northwest Catholic Counseling CenterPortland17478.54Provides compassionate and professional mental health services to all, regardless of faith or finances
33
NRTrauma Intervention Program of Portland/Vancouver Inc.Portland4478.48Provides immediate emotional and practical support to families and friends of a traumatic event or crisis
34
27Bonneville Environmental FoundationPortland14477.36Offers a suite of energy, carbon and water solutions designed to help partners minimize their impact on the planet

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