Mission FAQ

Ground Up is a social enterprise based in Portland, Oregon. We make handcrafted, small-batch nut butters while providing job skills training and meaningful employment to women overcoming adversity. Every jar we sell helps fund our six-month apprenticeship program.

Ground Up is not a traditional nonprofit. We are a for-profit social enterprise, meaning we operate as a business and use the revenue from our products to fund our employment training program directly. Women are employed in paid roles on our production team, where hands-on job training is woven into the daily operations of the business. The more jars we sell, the more women we can employ.

Ground Up was founded in 2016 in Portland, Oregon by co-founders Julie Sullivan Loos and Carolyn Cesario. Julie had been running an employment training program for women in Uganda and recognized the need for something similar at home. Carolyn had been developing small-batch nut butter recipes. Together they built a business centered around social impact.

Since founding in 2016, Ground Up has employed over 100 women through its job training program.

Through our six-month Production Apprenticeship Program, women step into a supportive, team-based environment where they gain hands-on experience, one-on-one coaching, and a paycheck. The program is designed to meet women where they are at, regardless of background or previous job history, and help them build the confidence and skills needed to move toward self-sufficiency.

Our program is open to women and gender minorities overcoming adversity who have the motivation to work but face barriers to employment. We partner with local nonprofits to identify and refer candidates. To apply or learn more, visit our jobs page or email hiring@grounduppdx.com.

Participants work as Production Apprentices in our Portland kitchen, where they mix, fill, label, and package our nut butters alongside the full Ground Up team. Participants gain experience in our commercial kitchen, warehouse operations, and sales, building confidence and transferable skills. After 6 months in the program, they’re ready to transition into full-time employment with strong job skills, professional mentoring, and renewed self-assurance. Many participants go on to take on expanded roles at Ground Up or move into employment elsewhere after graduating.

We partner with a network of Portland-area nonprofits to connect with women who have the motivation to work but face barriers to employment. Some of our current partners include Central City Concern, Rose Haven, Outside In, Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center, Morrison Child and Family Services, Transition Projects, NorthStar Clubhouse, New Avenues for Youth, Cascade AIDS Project, Community Vision, and YWCA of Greater Portland.

If you work with women overcoming adversity and are interested in referring candidates to our program, please contact hiring@grounduppdx.com.

Buying our products is truly the best way to support. The more jars we sell, the more hours we can provide for our team and the more women we can employ. For an ongoing contribution, consider joining our Flavor of the Month Club subscription.

We are not set up to accept direct donations, but every purchase you make directly funds our employment training program. Gifting our products to friends, family, or colleagues is another great way to spread the impact.

We welcome wholesale partnerships, corporate gifting, and brand collaborations. Visit our Wholesale page to learn about retail partnerships, or our Meaningful Gifts page for corporate gifting options. For brand collaborations, email marketing@grounduppdx.com.