From financing affordable housing projects to helping furnish rooms in the Letty Owings Center, to creating job opportunities through workforce development, U.S. Bank and Central City Concern have worked together for years to transform Portland and its most vulnerable residents.
This year, U.S. Bank is going further with a three-year pledge of support for CCC’s employment services program. “Having the security of a three-year commitment allows CCC to invest in capacity building activities that will enable this program to scale,” says Dana Kleinhesselink, Director of Development. “Frankly, it’s rare to find a corporate partner that’s willing to make this type of multi-year commitment, so I love amplifying U.S. Bank’s partnership so that other businesses might replicate it with their nonprofit partners.”
This partnership reflects the mission of U.S. Bank’s Community Possible Grant Program, which supports efforts to create stable jobs, affordable housing, and vibrant communities. Employment services, such as enabling formerly homeless clients to meet with employment specialists for one-on-one training and career navigation, are one of the most cost-effective solutions to breaking the cycle of homelessness. These services help create income, stabilize housing status, and, perhaps most importantly, restore self-worth, community, and purpose.
“Sydne and the Employment Access Center (EAC) as an extension helped give me back my humanity. Through care and attention, focus and support, I was brought through homelessness, and not only shown my worth, but was helped to find my path”. -Recent client who found stable employment through CCC’s EAC.
“At U.S. Bank Foundation, we believe that stable housing and access to meaningful employment are foundational to thriving communities. Central City Concern is a trusted and transformative partner in advancing both. We’re proud to support their holistic approach – combing housing, health care, and employment services – to help individuals and families in Portland build stability and opportunity for the long term.”
-Meghan Valley, Community Affairs Oregon & SW Washington U.S. Bank
About U.S. Bank
U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 70,000 employees and $676 billion in assets as of March 31, 2025, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses including consumer banking, business banking, commercial banking, institutional banking, payments and wealth management. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, community partnerships and customer service, including being named one of the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies and one of Fortune’s most admired superregional banks. Learn more at usbank.com/about.
