January 21, 2026
FriendsPDX Voted Oregon's Most Admired Nonprofit for Eleven Years Running in PBJ
Since our founding in 1993, Friends of the Children—Portland (FriendsPDX) continues to receive recognition for our unique, courageous, and proven mentoring model. For the 11th year in a row, we have been voted the Portland Business Journal’s #1 Most Admired Company in the nonprofit category. FriendsPDX has been in the top three list of Oregon’s Most Admired Nonprofits since 2012.
FriendsPDX makes a 12+ year commitment to each youth in our program that begins in kindergarten and lasts through high school graduation. Mentors are salaried, full-time professionals who spend time each week with young people they walk alongside. The organization is committed to helping youth find their passions, reach their full potential, and develop the skills to thrive into adulthood.
Organization-wide, 92% of youth go on to enroll in post-secondary education, serve our country or enter the workforce, 83% of youth earn a high school diploma or GED, 95% of youth remain free from juvenile justice system involvement, and 98% of youth wait to parent until after their teen years.
“In a year of unprecedented public funding cuts, we’re equally inspired by the remarkable nonprofits in this category whose dedication reminds us that being ‘admired’ is really about serving alongside those who inspire us,” said Traci Rossi, Executive Director of Friends of the Children - Portland.