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


June 12, 2025

Play Ball! Seattle Mariners Join Students for a Recess to Remember ›

Recess looked a little different at two Seattle-area schools thanks to an unforgettable visit from the Seattle Mariners and the Mariners Training Center (MTC). Our team supported a high-energy Recess…

June 4, 2025

10 Games to Get Kids Moving ›

Kids need physical activity, and play is one of the most effective and joyful ways to make it happen. Whether it’s during recess, in the classroom, or at home, active…

March 24, 2025

How Play Fuels Academic Success ›

One of the most impactful ways to support student learning starts with play.  At Playworks, we’ve seen firsthand how the benefits of play extend far beyond recess time. When kids…