Behind all the bikes, breweries, and brunch lines, Portland has a big heart. There are nonprofits quietly doing the heavy lifting for kids and families every single day. If you’ve ever thought, I want to give back but don’t know where to start, here’s your guide. These are organizations that don’t just talk about change — they’re living it.
🌟 Friends of the Children – Portland
What they do: Friends of the Children pairs youth facing the highest risks with a paid, professional mentor — someone who stays in their lives for 12 years, no matter what. That means kindergarten through high school graduation, even when life gets messy.
Why it matters: Consistency is everything. For kids who grow up in instability, one safe, reliable adult can literally change the course of their future. Friends of the Children is proof that long-term commitment is the game-changer.
🌟 PDX Diaper Bank
What they do: They provide free diapers, wipes, and formula to families in need across Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. Since starting, they’ve distributed close to a million diapers.
Why it matters: Diapers aren’t covered by food stamps or WIC, and they’re insanely expensive. No parent should have to choose between paying rent or keeping their baby clean and healthy. This nonprofit fills a gap most people don’t even know exists.
🌟 The Dougy Center
What they do: The Dougy Center offers free, peer-based grief support groups for children, teens, young adults, and their families after the death of a loved one.
Why it matters: Grief can feel isolating, especially for kids. The Dougy Center provides a safe place where they can meet others their age who get it. It’s not about fixing grief — it’s about walking through it together.
🌟 With Love Oregon
What they do: With Love serves foster children ages 0–6 by providing families with clothes, diapers, books, toys, and furniture essentials. They also deliver personalized care packages so foster kids feel seen and welcomed.
Why it matters: Foster families often receive little notice when a child is placed with them. With Love makes sure these kids don’t show up with nothing. It’s dignity, comfort, and care from the very start.
🌟 Northwest Children’s Outreach
What they do: 100% volunteer-run, they collect and distribute clothing, diapers, formula, and other basics to kids in need through partner agencies.
Why it matters: They’re grassroots, no-frills, and focused on getting items into the hands of kids quickly. It’s neighbors helping neighbors, and every donated hoodie, pair of shoes, or baby blanket makes an immediate impact.
🌟 Project 48
What they do: Project 48 provides brand-new clothing, shoes, toiletries, and comfort items to teens in foster care within 48 hours of placement.
Why it matters: Teens in foster care are often overlooked. Project 48 ensures they feel valued and supported during one of the most vulnerable transitions in their lives. No kid should start a new home carrying their belongings in a trash bag.
🌟 Our Children Oregon
What they do: They focus on advocacy and systemic change — pushing for policies that protect children, reduce poverty, expand access to healthcare, and strengthen families statewide.
Why it matters: Not all nonprofits work at the individual level. Our Children Oregon is shaping the bigger picture to ensure that every child in Oregon has a fair chance, regardless of background. They’re the voice for kids in government spaces.
🌟 United Way: Communities for Kids
What they do: Through Hands On Greater Portland, United Way connects thousands of volunteers with projects that directly support kids and families — from literacy programs to after-school activities.
Why it matters: Sometimes kids need more than one-on-one support — they need entire communities backing them. United Way mobilizes people and resources, making “it takes a village” more than just a phrase.
Relentless Reminder
These nonprofits are the reason so many Portland kids have a chance at a better future. They’re proof that showing up — with time, money, or even just spreading the word — makes a difference. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get involved, this is it.
How to Help (Even If You’re Busy)
Let’s be honest — between work, kids, bills, and the never-ending to-do list, the idea of volunteering can feel impossible. But supporting these nonprofits doesn’t mean giving up an entire Saturday. Small, intentional actions add up. Here’s how you can plug in without burning out:
✨ Donate the Basics
- Order a box of diapers on Amazon and ship it straight to PDX Diaper Bank.
- Drop off gently used kids’ clothes, books, or shoes at Northwest Children’s Outreach.
✨ One-Hour Volunteering
- Join United Way’s Hands On Greater Portland projects — many are one-time, low-commitment shifts.
- Help sort donations for With Love Oregon or Project 48.
✨ Give While You Shop
- Sign up for workplace giving or donate a small monthly gift (even $10 matters) to Friends of the Children – Portland or The Dougy Center.
✨ Share the Word
- Post about these orgs on social media.
- Add their donation link to your Instagram bio for a week.
- Talk about them in your parent group chats — you never know who has resources to give.
✨ Model Giving for Your Kids
- Let your child help pick out a toy or blanket to donate.
- Take them with you on a drop-off — show them what community looks like in action.
Relentless Reminder: You don’t have to do it all. But if every Portland parent did one small thing — one box of diapers, one hour of time, one shared link — we’d flood this city with support for kids who need it most.
The Relentless Motherhood 
I know you have something to say, shoot it to me straight…