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If you’re familiar with the nonprofit landscape, you already know: Portland, Oregon has no shortage of community-focused organizations. From food justice to youth services, the city is a hub for passionate changemakers. But one organization, The Listen Movement, is carving out a unique and powerful space among nonprofits in Portland, Oregon—and it’s all centered around one simple but radical idea: listening.

Yup, real listening. The kind where people feel seen, valued, and safe to share their stories.

A Different Kind of Nonprofit

Founded on the belief that storytelling and presence are vital tools for healing, The Listen Movement was born to amplify marginalized voices and bring people together through shared understanding. But they’re not just talking about it—they’re building it, one circle, one workshop, and one honest conversation at a time.

In a city grappling with racial disparities, gentrification, and a lingering sense of disconnection post-pandemic, this work couldn’t come at a better time.

Creating Impact Through Listening

What sets The Listen Movement apart from other nonprofits in Portland, Oregon is its intentional, heart-centered approach. While many nonprofits focus on programs and services (which are important!), The Listen Movement zooms in on what makes all that work sustainable: human connection.

Here’s how they’re making it happen:

• Community Healing Circles: Safe spaces for people—especially Black and Indigenous Portlanders—to share, grieve, and celebrate without judgment.

• Workshops and Trainings: Sessions that equip participants with tools to practice deep listening, challenge systemic injustice, and center mental wellness.

• Collaborations with Other Nonprofits: By partnering with organizations across the city, they’re helping embed healing and equity into the DNA of Portland’s broader nonprofit sector.

Why It Matters

Let’s be real: burnout is real in the nonprofit world. So is disconnection. Many frontline workers are emotionally exhausted, and communities are still reeling from collective trauma. What The Listen Movement offers is space—to breathe, reflect, and reconnect.

For many nonprofits in Portland, Oregon, this kind of intentional pause is rare. And yet, it’s what can truly shift how we do this work.

Real Change, Real Conversations

At the heart of everything they do is a deep belief that listening is a form of activism. Whether it's a young person speaking their truth for the first time, or a community elder sharing generational wisdom—The Listen Movement is there to hold space, and it’s transforming lives in the process.ing circle. Because healing starts with hearing.