Oregon's nonprofits are an important sector in Oregon that employs more than 150,000 employees. To recognize that nonprofits are also key businesses critical to the economic health of the state, Oregon Business magazine is launching this year its first annual 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon project.

Based on its widely recognized 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon project, the 100 Best Nonprofits will be determined by a specially tailored survey to be launched in April, in partnership with nonprofit support organization TACS, comprised of an anonymous employee survey and an independent assessment of the nonprofit employers' workplace practices. This survey then will be used to rank the nonprofits and also give them useful and credible information to help improve their workplace practices.

The 100 Best Nonprofits will be announced in the October issue of Oregon Business magazine and revealed at a special event on Sept. 29 at the Portland Art Museum.

"This new project will focus on nonprofits to give them the same kind of attention that for-profit companies receive," says Robin Doussard, Editor of Oregon Business.

The 100 Best Nonprofits will be determined by employee satisfaction and importance ratings of 60 workplace qualities in six categories: benefits and compensation; work environment; decision-making and trust; performance management; career development and learning; and sustainable practices. In addition, organizations must answer more than 50 questions covering a comprehensive set of benefits and workplace practices. Oregon Business partners with Portland research firm Davis Hibbitts & Midghall to score and rank the winning 100 nonprofits.

The survey registration period for 2009 is now closed. However, nonprofits interested in entering the survey for 2010 should contact Brandon Sawyer, research editor, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . There is no cost to participate.