5 Years of Play in the Pacific Northwest!

  1. Updates

2009-2010

  • Playworks opens the Portland office on June 30, 2009
  • Starts partnerships with 8 schools in the Portland metro area and adds a 9th school mid-year
  • 7 AmeriCorps members serving the Portland area
  • KATU features Playworks at Woodlawn School in NE Portland

2010-2011

  • Playworks named one of Oregon Business Journal's Top 100 Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon
  • Serving 14 schools in the Portland metro area
  • Playworks Portland hosts Playworks Twin Cities for Pre-Service, a week long orientation and training for Coaches before the school year begins

2011-2012

  • Serving 14 schools in the Portland metro area
  • 7 AmeriCorps Members serving with Playworks
  • Playworks Portland travels to Detroit for Pre-Service

2012-2013

  • Playworks named one of Oregon Business Journal's Top 100 Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon
  • Playworks Portland moves from their office on NW 23rd St. to a new colorful space on SE Madison St.
  • Playworks is featured on KOIN News for combating bullying
  • Playworks breaks its fundraising goal for the 4th Annual Corporate Kickball Fundraiser with support from hubbub health.

2013-2014

  • Playworks PacNW is givena Light a Fire Award for “Inspiring the Next Generation” by Portland Monthly Magazine.
  • Playworks PacNW named Oregon’s best medium sized 100 Nonprofit to Work For by the Oregon Business Journal.
  • Playworks is named a 2014 Stand Together Featured Partner by the Portland Timbers FC.
  • Playworks holds its first Keep Portland Playful Fundraiser at Jeld-Wen Field.
  • Playworks added a new school, Alder Elementary mid-year. Serving 15 schools total and three different school districts in Oregon: Reynolds, Hillsboro, and Portland.
  • Kaiser Permanente Community Fund continues to support the power of play, by awarding a two-year $400,000 grant to Playworks in the Pacific Northwest.

More Updates


February 2, 2026

Games That Bring Us Together: Easy Trust-Building Games for Families ›

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January 28, 2026

Six Signs of a Joyful Playground ›

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January 1, 2026

Quick Play Activities to Help Kids Reset ›

Make play part of your family’s routine. Play doesn’t have to be on more thing on your to-do list. It can fit right into the moments you already have. These…