UNITED WAY of the COLUMBIA GORGE (UWCG) is a non-profit organization that supports non-profit human service programs in HOOD RIVER, WASCO, SHERMAN, KLICKITAT and SKAMANIA Counties.  Rather than supporting just one person or one charity, we unite individuals and combine resources to spread the funds across the entire Columbia Gorge, providing a community safety net while also catalyzing community change.

OUR MISSION is to help care for the people of the Columbia River Gorge by identifying human service needs, raising funds, distributing and coordinating resources, promoting volunteerism, and helping to solve community problems. 

WE ARE LOCAL.  Although the United Way is a global enterprise, each individual United Way operates independently and uniquely.  UWCG is governed by a local all-volunteer board and is powered by three local volunteer councils—one representing Hood River County, one representing Wasco/Sherman Counties and one representing Klickitat/Skamania Counties.  These three councils spend countless hours fundraising each year to generate community, corporate and individual donor support for local programs that address local issues.  These issues range from basic human needs — such as food, safe shelter and emergency assistance — to addressing other needs such as support for local seniors, positive child and youth development and affordable housing.

WE ARE THOROUGH.  Our commitment to every UWCG contributor is that we stringently assess every program before making our annual decision as to which local programs will receive funding.  Our allocations committee is comprised of nine local volunteers representing all three councils (and all five counties) who bring well-rounded experiences and demographics to the table.  Each human-service program is thoroughly screened and interviewed and must meet stringent standards in governance, ethics, financial management and program operations.

LIVE UNITED.  United Way of the Columbia Gorge believes in uniting local people and supporting local people.

By realizing other’s lives are linked to our own, our compassion grows and we influence the condition of all.  We build the strength of our neighborhoods, we bolster the health of our Gorge communities and we change the lives of those who walk by us every day.