Urban League of Portland

What Urban League of Portland does

The Urban League of Portland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1945, one of Oregon's oldest civil rights and social service institutions. The organization delivers a portfolio of six culturally specific programs targeting Black communities across Oregon and Southwest Washington: Advocacy & Engagement, Community Health, Housing Assistance, Senior Services, Workforce Development, and Youth & Education. Programs are delivered at no cost to clients through direct service at the Portland headquarters (10 N Russell St) and community-based outreach, supported by a Young Professionals auxiliary and a voting Membership Program for community governance.

The operating model is community-led, with program delivery handled by case managers, community health workers, workforce specialists, and senior service coordinators under an 11-50 employee headcount. The organization does not charge fees for services; instead, operations are funded through charitable donations, grants, and contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations, with audited financial statements made publicly available via annual reports. The most recently published annual report covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

Leadership consists of President and CEO Nkenge Harmon Johnson and a Board of Directors whose membership includes senior executives from CareOregon (Chair Dr. James Mason), Intel (Secretary Dr. Corey Frazier), and Golden Leaf Holdings (Treasurer Andreas Moppin). The organization reports reaching more than 10,000 Black individuals and families annually through its wraparound services and has been recognized as one of The Oregonian's 100 Best Nonprofits in 2025 and a Top Workplace in 2019.

Name

Urban League of Portland

Legal name

Urban League of Portland

Website

https://ulpdx.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Urban League of Portland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1945 that delivers culturally specific programs in workforce development, housing, community health, senior services, youth education, and advocacy for Black communities across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Urban League of Portland relies on charitable donations, grants, and contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund operations and programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Urban League of Portland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a portfolio of community-based programs to empower Black communities and other underserved populations across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Its core service lines include Advocacy & Engagement, Community Health, Housing Assistance, Senior Services, Workforce Development, and Youth & Education, delivered to individuals, youth, families, and seniors largely at no cost to the participant.

Product overview

Urban League of Portland is a nonprofit social services organization offering a portfolio of community programs. The core offerings include six main service programs: Advocacy & Engagement (social justice organizing), Community Health (healthcare navigation), Housing Assistance (homelessness support), Senior Services (elder care), Workforce Development (employment services), and Youth & Education (youth empowerment). The organization also runs a Young Professionals auxiliary group and a membership program for community members. All programs work together to empower African-Americans and other community members to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security, and quality of life across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advocacy & Engagement A program line focused on advocacy and civic engagement to empower Black communities and advance equity, serving individuals and community members in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Community Health A program line that addresses community health needs for Black and underserved populations, serving individuals and families in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Housing Assistance A program line providing housing-related assistance and support to individuals and families experiencing housing instability, serving Black and underserved community members in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Senior Services A program line providing services and support tailored to seniors in Black and underserved communities, serving older adults in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Workforce Development A program line supporting workforce development for Black and underserved adults, serving job seekers and workers seeking career advancement in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Youth & Education A program line supporting youth and education, serving young people in Black and underserved communities across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Young Professionals An auxiliary program engaging young professionals in supporting the Urban League of Portland's mission, serving young professional community members in the Portland area.
• Membership Program A membership offering that allows individuals and supporters to formally join the Urban League of Portland's community in support of its mission to empower Black communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,000 Black individuals and families impacted in the past year through comprehensive wraparound programs

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: Parent national umbrella organization coordinating 64+ Urban League affiliates. Provides branding, advocacy, and shared infrastructure; directly comparable as the network of which the subject company is a chapter.
• Boys & Girls Club of Portland Metro: Regional youth services nonprofit offering after-school programs, workforce preparation, and educational support. Comparable in Youth & Education programming and donor base.
• NAACP Portland Branch: Local branch of the national civil rights organization focused on racial equity, advocacy, and community empowerment for Black communities in Portland. Comparable civil rights mission and local advocacy focus.
• YWCA of Greater Portland: Regional nonprofit providing housing, advocacy, and empowerment programs with a focus on equity and community wellness. Comparable social services portfolio and Portland-area footprint.
• Catholic Charities of Oregon: Regional social services nonprofit providing housing assistance, senior services, and community support programs across Oregon. Comparable in service categories (housing, seniors, community support) and geographic footprint, though broader in target population.

Direct peers

• Urban League of Greater Atlanta: Large Urban League affiliate providing workforce, housing, health, and youth services. Directly comparable program mix and National Urban League affiliation, though at larger scale.
• Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle: Sister Urban League affiliate serving the Pacific Northwest with comparable programs in housing, workforce, health, and youth services. Closest peer within the National Urban League network given adjacent geography.
• Self Enhancement, Inc. Portland-based nonprofit providing culturally specific services to Black youth and families in education, employment, and community development. Most direct comparable given shared mission, geography, target population, and wraparound service model.
• Human Solutions: Portland-based nonprofit providing housing assistance, homelessness prevention, and self-sufficiency services. Directly comparable in housing program area and geographic market.
• Black United Fund of Oregon: Oregon-based nonprofit focused on supporting Black communities through grantmaking, scholarships, and direct services in education, health, and economic development. Comparable mission, geography, and beneficiary base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ulpdx
• Facebookfacebook.com/ulpdx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/urban-league-of-portland
• Instagraminstagram.com/ulpdx/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Urban League of Portland