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Donate to United Way

Explore the number of ways you can donate to the United Way of the Columbia Gorge

Choose a Fund:

Supporting Local Nonprofit Organizations, Strengthening Our Community

The United Way of the Columbia Gorge General Fund is dedicated to supporting a network of local nonprofit organizations that address the most pressing needs in our community. Your contribution helps fund initiatives that provide critical services in three key areas:

Basic Human Needs:

We support efforts that provide food, housing, and transportation for medical needs, as well as increasing self-sufficiency. This includes supporting food banks and backpack programs that ensure children and families have access to healthy meals, especially during times of crisis. By helping individuals and families access housing, jobs, and treatment services, we strive to ensure that basic needs are met and that people can lead healthier, more independent lives.

Protection:

United Way works to keep families safe, focusing on the protection of our most vulnerable citizens. Our partnerships with local nonprofits provide vital resources to reduce isolation and offer support for victims of abuse, domestic violence, and other crises. We are committed to making sure that no one in our community faces hardship alone.

Youth on Track:

We focus on helping youth develop the skills they need to make responsible choices, succeed academically, and contribute positively to society. Literacy is an important part of these efforts, as we work to improve reading and writing skills to ensure youth have the tools they need to succeed. By investing in education and life skills, we aim to empower young people to become responsible, productive, and caring members of the Columbia Gorge community.

Every donation to the United Way of the Columbia Gorge General Fund is an investment in the long-term health and prosperity of our community. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Columbia Gorge for all.

Help Now. Create Resilient Communities and Rebuild for the Future.

United Way of the Columbia Gorge (UWCG) has launched the Columbia Gorge Disaster Relief Fund to provide long-term support for individuals and families affected by natural or man-made disasters in the region. United Way provides disaster relief by mobilizing resources for long-term recovery. This includes distributing grants to trusted partner organizations that are working on the ground to support recovery efforts.

How United Way Responds to Disasters:

  • Long-term recovery:
    United Way supports ongoing rebuilding efforts by setting up dedicated recovery funds and helping communities become more resilient in the face of future challenges.
  • Community connections:
    Through its extensive network of local partners, United Way ensures that resources are delivered where they are needed most, helping to make the recovery process as efficient and impactful as possible.
 

100% of donations to this fund go directly toward recovery efforts for those impacted by disasters in the Columbia Gorge.

Your donation to the Columbia Gorge Disaster Relief Fund helps organize essential resources, ensuring that our neighbors have the support they need to recover, rebuild, and thrive in the long term.

In response to the devastating Rowena Fire on June 11th, 2025, United Way of the Columbia Gorge has established the Rowena Fire Relief Recovery Fund to support long-term recovery efforts for those affected. We are currently accepting donations and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, as the road to recovery will take many years and sustained community support will be essential every step of the way.

100% of Donations marked “Rowena Fire Relief Recovery Fund” will go directly to help individuals and families impacted by the fire. While much of the support will aid those who have lost their homes, funds may also be distributed to meet a broader range of identified needs as part of a coordinated community recovery effort.

We have partnered with Wasco County and Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD), who are developing an application and evaluation process for distributing funds. This process is based on a national long-term recovery model. A key component of this approach includes forming an Unmet Needs Roundtable, a collaborative group of case managers and local partners who will work together to ensure donations reach those with verified, ongoing needs. 

United Way Rowena Fire Relief Funds
Donated by independent organizers and companies, these funds are dedicated solely to survivors to support their recovery and unmet needs. State experts have emphasized the importance of safeguarding these funds for recovery efforts.

Equitable Distribution Process
To ensure fair distribution, case managers will advocate on behalf of impacted individuals and submit applications as part of an Unmet Needs Roundtable, a national model for recovery fund distribution.