Sisters of the Road

What Sisters of the Road does

Sisters of the Road is a 501(c)-style nonprofit organization founded in 1979 in Portland, Oregon, that operates a grassroots, anti-oppression movement dedicated to ending homelessness and poverty. For over 40 years it ran a café in Old Town/Chinatown where neighbors could dine with dignity regardless of income; the café closed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and has not reopened. Its active programs include Fresh Change, a food justice initiative partnering with Portland Farmers Market (since 2014) that provides guided market tours, market currency, TriMet passes, and SNAP enrollment support, and a Systemic Change program that runs Know Your Rights trainings, policy advocacy, and coalition organizing. The organization distributes the Sisters' Voice newsletter biannually and uses Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Bluesky for community engagement.

Sisters' revenue model is overwhelmingly donation-driven, with approximately 80% of funding sourced from individual donors through campaigns such as Sowing Solidarity and Here to Stay, supplemented by a Congressionally Directed Award (2025) facilitated by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici's office and small business promotional partnerships. Programs are delivered free of charge to participants. The organization has 11-50 employees, a small leadership team led by Executive Director Nicki Dardinger (appointed September 2025), and is governed by a board of directors. There is no proprietary technology stack; the organization uses Squarespace for its website, Mailchimp for email, and standard social media platforms.

The organization is executing a major geographic pivot, moving from its historic Old Town base to a permanent home in the Lents neighborhood of Southeast Portland in spring 2026, funded in part by federal capital. It is building a coalition of five established East Portland nonprofits (PDX Saints Love, Clackamas Service Center, Rahab's Sisters, Hope & Bread, East Portland Collective) along the SE 82nd Ave corridor to coordinate advocacy and mutual aid in a historically underinvested area.

Name

Sisters of the Road

Legal name

Sisters of the Road

Website

https://sistersoftheroad.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sisters of the Road is a 47-year-old Portland nonprofit running a food justice program (Fresh Change) and advocacy work serving unhoused and poverty-affected community members, transitioning to a new permanent home in the Lents neighborhood of Southeast Portland in 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homelessness & Poverty Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Homelessness services
• Food justice programs
• Community organizing
• Anti-poverty advocacy
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The vast majority of Sisters of the Road's funding (approximately 80%) comes from individual donors. The organization runs periodic fundraising campaigns including the annual Sowing Solidarity campaign and Here to Stay campaign, and encourages monthly sustaining gifts as well as peer-to-peer fundraising.
2. Congressionally Directed Award: Sisters received a Congressionally Directed Award through the advocacy of Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici's office to support the purchase of their new home in Lents.
3. Program Revenue (Fresh Change): Revenue generated through the Fresh Change food justice program, which distributes market currency and accepts SNAP/EBT at the Portland Farmers Market. Historically, Sisters was the first nonprofit restaurant in the USA to accept SNAP as payment for hot meals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sisters of the Road is a grassroots, anti-oppression nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness and poverty in Portland. It runs community-based programs including the Fresh Change food justice initiative (guided Portland Farmers Market tours, market currency, and SNAP enrollment support), Systemic Change advocacy and Know Your Rights trainings, and peer-driven community engagement. Programs are delivered free of charge to participants experiencing poverty and homelessness and are funded through individual donations, grants, and coalition partnerships.

Product overview

Sisters of the Road offers a portfolio of community-focused programs centered on food justice, advocacy, and systemic change. The core offerings include the Fresh Change food access program (which provides farmers market tours and market currency), the Systemic Change Program (advocacy and community organizing), and the Sisters Voice newsletter. These programs work together to address homelessness and poverty through relationship-based community support, political advocacy, and improved access to nutritious food for underserved populations in Portland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fresh Change A food justice program that provides guided tours of the Portland Farmers Market, $30 in market currency per participant, all-day TriMet passes, and SNAP enrollment support for community members experiencing poverty and homelessness. Originally launched in 2014 as the Healthy Plate Project with New Seasons Market and Portland Farmers Market to enable barter workers to use credits for fresh produce, it was renamed Fresh Change in 2017 and has expanded to host four tours annually with partner organizations.
• Know Your Rights Trainings Workshops conducted by Sisters of the Road staff to educate community members about camping rights, related case law (Martin v. Boise, Grants Pass v. Johnson), and how to respond to enforcement encounters related to the criminalization of homelessness. Delivered in person to community members in Portland.
• Systemic Change Program Advocacy and organizing program focused on ending homelessness and poverty through systemic solutions, including policy advocacy, Know Your Rights workshops, community organizing, and coalition building with grassroots partners. Championed and scaled under Executive Director Kat Mahoney (2022–2024).
• Sisters' Voice Newsletter Biannual community newsletter distributed via Mailchimp that shares updates on Sisters' work, community stories, systemic change initiatives, and advocacy efforts. Available online and by email subscription at mailchi.mp/sistersoftheroad/sign-up.

Quantifiable outcome

• All Fresh Change participants reported that the program made it easier to attend the farmers market, and all said they would attend another tour if given the chance (2024)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Portland Farmers MarketcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSisters of the Road has partnered with Portland Farmers Market since 2014 to make fresh food accessible to community members experiencing poverty. The Fresh Change program enables participants to use market currency, SNAP/EBT, and barter credits at the market. Sisters was historically the first nonprofit restaurant in the USA to accept SNAP for hot meals. The partnership includes market tours, SNAP enrollment support, and vendor engagement.
• Street RootscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStreet Roots, a Portland-based nonprofit newspaper vendor organization serving people experiencing homelessness, partners with Sisters on Fresh Change market tours and collaborative events including the 10th anniversary celebration. Street Roots provides a platform for vendors experiencing homelessness and poverty.
• Ground Score AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGround Score Association, which provides employment through street newspaper vending for people experiencing homelessness, partners with Sisters on Fresh Change market tours. Ground Score is part of the broader network of Portland organizations working with unhoused and poverty-affected community members.
• Rose HavencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRose Haven, a day center serving women and children experiencing homelessness and abuse, partners with Sisters on Fresh Change market tours. Both organizations serve overlapping populations in Portland and collaborate on community events.
• PDX Saints LoveflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPDX Saints Love (started 2017) advances love in Portland by building bridges of compassion to restore neighborhoods, removing barriers and creating equitable opportunities for underserved communities including people living unsheltered, housing insecure, with disabilities, mental health challenges, communities of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and immigrant and refugee families. Provides a day center, workforce development, housing placement, community wellness fairs, and weekly dinner in Lents Park. Sisters joined the SE 82nd Ave coalition with PDX Saints Love to identify organizing and advocacy goals benefiting East Portland.
• Clackamas Service CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerClackamas Service Center (started 1973) is an inclusive one-stop community center for individuals and families seeking food relief and resources. Currently the largest food pantry based in Clackamas County, distributing over 1.6 million pounds of food annually. Provides free food pantry, lunch service, showers, clothing, mail services, medical care, and harm reduction. Sisters joined the SE 82nd Ave coalition alongside CSC.
• Rahab's SistersflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRahab's Sisters (started 2003) is a community for women, trans, and nonbinary folks experiencing poverty, houselessness, and isolation. Provides weekly gatherings, harm reduction supplies, support groups, clothing and hygiene supplies, healthcare access, and community co-location of services. Sisters joined the SE 82nd Ave coalition with Rahab's Sisters.
• Hope & BreadflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHope and Bread (started 2024) is an Episcopal community dedicated to spiritual needs of people living in extreme poverty in East Portland. Hosts weekly street church gatherings outside Montavilla Park on Sundays at 5pm, accompanies neighbors through challenges, and advocates for unhoused neighbors. Sisters joined the SE 82nd Ave coalition with Hope & Bread.
• East Portland CollectiveflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast Portland Collective (started 2019) is an all-volunteer, queer-centered community collaboration providing free art opportunities, classes, events, cleanups, and mutual aid for East Portland. Particularly devoted to increasing accessibility for LGBTQIA+ folks, minorities, youth, parents/caregivers, and individuals living in margins. Sisters joined the SE 82nd Ave coalition with EPC.
• Beneficial State BankminorOthersBeneficial State Bank supported Sisters of the Road's September 2023 Groundbreaking Block Party celebrating the purchase of the House of Louie. The bank is a values-aligned financial institution supporting community organizations.
• Meals on UsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeals on Us provided food for Sisters' September 2023 Groundbreaking Block Party. Meals on Us is a Portland-based food organization that supports community events.
• Milk Crate KitchenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilk Crate Kitchen participated in Sisters' 2023 Groundbreaking Block Party and is a partner in Give!Guide collaborative fundraising with Sisters alongside FinAbility, Rose Haven, Street Roots, and other nonprofits.
• Addy's Sandwich BarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAddy's Sandwich Bar (911 SW 10th Ave, Portland) supported the Here to Stay campaign by donating 10% of all sales on a designated day. Long-time supporter of Sisters of the Road.
• Realm RefilleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRealm Refillery allocated voucher donations to Sisters of the Road throughout July as part of their customer program supporting local nonprofits.
• Shoofly Vegan BakeryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShoofly Vegan Bakery donated 20% of sales to Sisters of the Road on a designated day during the 2023 giving season.
• Secret Pizza SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSecret Pizza Society donated all proceeds from their Vegan Mac n Cheeze Bowl ($10) to Sisters of the Road throughout November as part of the Sowing Solidarity campaign.
• New Seasons MarketcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Seasons Market partially funded the pilot Fresh Change program (originally called Healthy Plate Project) in 2014, enabling barter workers to use credits for fresh produce at local farmers markets. This pilot became a permanent program.
• Partners for a Hunger Free OregonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners for a Hunger Free Oregon joined Fresh Change tours in recent years to help sign participants up for SNAP benefits, expanding the program's impact on food security.
• Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici's OfficeflagshipOthersThrough the advocacy of Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici's office, Sisters of the Road received a Congressionally Directed Award supporting the purchase of their new home in Lents. This federal funding enabled the organization to complete the environmental assessment and move toward purchasing the property.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Direct peers

• Blanchet House: Portland-based nonprofit operating a free community meals program, shelter, and transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Directly comparable to Sisters in mission (anti-poverty, dignity-centered service in Portland) and food-service model.
• Street Roots: Portland nonprofit newspaper vendor organization that creates income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Sisters' existing Fresh Change partner; operates in the same downtown Portland geography and serves overlapping populations.
• Rose Haven: Portland day center serving women, children, and gender-nonconforming people experiencing homelessness and abuse. Sister organization partner on Fresh Change tours with directly overlapping target population and community-based service model.
• Portland Rescue Mission: Long-standing Portland nonprofit providing emergency shelter, meals, and recovery services for people experiencing homelessness and addiction. Closest large-scale comparable in shelter and meal-service provision in the same city.
• JOIN: Portland nonprofit focused on housing placement and support for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those transitioning from unsheltered living. Comparable in anti-poverty systems-change orientation and Portland-only geographic focus.
• Outside In: Portland nonprofit serving homeless and at-risk youth with health services, housing, and education. Cited as a previous employer of incoming ED Nicki Dardinger; closely comparable population (unhoused community members) and advocacy-driven approach.
• Rahab's Sisters: Portland-based nonprofit serving women, trans, and nonbinary folks experiencing poverty and homelessness through gatherings, harm reduction, and co-located services. Active SE 82nd Ave coalition partner of Sisters with directly overlapping service model and population.
• Clackamas Service Center: Inclusive one-stop community center providing food pantry, meals, showers, clothing, mail services, and medical care in East Portland. Flagship coalition partner of Sisters; distributes 1.6M+ lbs of food annually and operates the same multi-service community center model.

Broad incumbents

• Home Forward: Portland's housing authority, managing largest public affordable housing portfolio in the region. Comparable as a major Portland anti-homelessness/affordable housing player, though larger and government-administered vs. Sisters' grassroots nonprofit model.

Regional players

• Mercy Corps Northwest: Portland-based arm of global Mercy Corps focusing on poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, and homelessness prevention across the Pacific Northwest. Operates in an adjacent regional geography with comparable economic-justice mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sistersoftheroad
• Instagraminstagram.com/sistersoftheroadpdx
• TikToktiktok.com/@sistersoftheroadpdx
• Xx.com/sisterspdx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sisters-of-the-road

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sisters of the Road