United Way Named Among Most Admired Nonprofits

December 9, 2008, Portland, Ore. – For the second year in a row, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette joins the ranks of some of the most well-respected nonprofits in the region that were named among Oregon’s Most Admired Companies in the nonprofit sector in a survey conducted by the Portland Business Journal. 

United Way ranked sixth among more than 120 nonprofits most admired by Oregon CEOs. According to Publisher Craig Wessel, the intent of the awards is to recognize Oregon and Southwest Washington companies “that CEOs deem to be the very best organizations in the region.”

Marc Levy, United Way CEO and President, accepted the award at a luncheon held at the Hilton in downtown Portland.  “We are proud to be named among the best in a field of dynamic community of cause-oriented organizations in our region,” says Levy. “This award belongs to our volunteers and supporters whose commitment makes it possible for United Way to fund local programs that help people right here in the Portland/Vancouver area. ”

To identify award winners, the Portland Business Journal sent out surveys to more than 2,000 CEOs throughout Oregon, and asked them to select the three companies they most admire in eight industries: technology, agriculture, nonprofits, health care, financial services, professional services, commercial real estate and traditional manufacturers. Nonprofits named by responding CEOs received points based on if they were identified as a first, second or third choice. The points were then tabulated.

In selecting their top choices for each industry sector, CEOs were asked to consider the following:

• Innovation: How creative is this company in the way it develops and/or delivers its products and services?
• Quality of Management: How highly regarded are the senior-level managers in this company?
• Community Involvement: How involved is this organization in the betterment of the community?
• Quality of Products and Services: How high is the quality of products or services this company produces?
• Branding and Marketing: How effective is this company at building its name recognition and brand?

About the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is working to advance the common good in the four-county Portland/Vancouver area by focusing on the basics we all need for success:  education, income, and health. In 2007, United Way funded programs among more than 150 collaborating partner agencies that helped over 100,000 in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, and Clark counties in the Portland/Vancouver metro region. We all win when children succeed in school, families are financially stable and independent, and people have good health. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. By working together we can create opportunities for a better life and create a stronger community.  That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED.