Nonprofit Job Availability and Stability (Portland, Dallas: unemployment rate, living in, to move)

[Sunshine2009]

Hi Everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone living in Portland could shed some light on the nonprofit job opportunities there. I recently visited and was so impressed by the attitude towards the homeless, the creative, etc. I've lived in Dallas suburbs all my life and although we're supposed to have that whole "Southern hospitality" thing going on, I've never felt it. I currently help manage nonprofit associations and I'm looking to go into development or program assistance positions. I've found more jobs than I expected in Portland while just browsing, but I'm wondering how stable things seem in this sector there. Some of the jobs I have found are with nationwide organizations, but still...I don't want to be one of those that moves and two months later ends up stuck without a job. Anyone have any insight?

Thank you in advance.

[sayulita]

While I can't comment specifically on the non-profit sector, I can tell yu that things are really tough here right now. We have one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and money for non-profits, as well as everything else, is drying up. There are several threads on this forum you should probably read. If I were you, I would look up the specific organizations that interest you and call them. Get a first hand and local take on how things stand. Good luck to you.

[malone7384]

Originally Posted by sayulita

While I can't comment specifically on the non-profit sector, I can tell yu that things are really tough here right now. We have one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and money for non-profits, as well as everything else, is drying up. There are several threads on this forum you should probably read. If I were you, I would look up the specific organizations that interest you and call them. Get a first hand and local take on how things stand. Good luck to you.

I could not agree more! I work in the staffing arena in Portland and I can tell you for sure that every sector is being affected by the unemployment. Non Profit is getting hit really hard too - if you do a search on Oregonlive you will find that many of the non profits are actually having their funding cut. Oregon is cutting programs left and right.

[Sunshine2009]

Thanks for the responses, guys! I've ready the forums daily. I was just really impressed by the work of the nonprofits I saw up there, so I figured I'd look into it. I've found a lot of positions in Dallas, but they're primarily Exec level. Portland had more fitting my experience level when I did a search. I'll probably try calling some organizations there directly to learn more about their individual situations. Great idea! Don't worry...I have no plans to move without a job just to be in Portland, or even anywhere near there with the way things are right now. Although- Americorps is not out of the question. I saw that many of your organizations are hiring VISTAs due to Obama's national service bill. I've always wanted to do that and now would be a great time. Thanks again.