United Way of the Columbia Gorge
United Way of the Columbia Gorge is a public charity based in Hood River, Oregon, that supports local human-service programs across the Columbia Gorge. The organization says it raises and distributes funds, coordinates resources, promotes volunteerism, and works to address community problems. It was formed in 1986.
United Way of the Columbia Gorge at a glance
In short: United Way of the Columbia Gorge gave $312K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), mostly in Oregon. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $311,814
- -6.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- +5.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,591
- -11.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,793
- Total assets
- $778,868
- -1.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (3 of 20, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (70% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of the Columbia Gorge
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The funder accepts unsolicited requests through its annual grant application. Applicants must be eligible 501(c)(3) human-service agencies or programs that have served basic human needs in the Columbia Gorge for at least two years by the application deadline. Applications are reviewed by the allocations committee, which may hear presentations and ask questions before recommending awards to the board.
- Review Cycle
- February 26, 2027. The website also lists an application period from January 26 to February 26, 2026; that cycle has passed.
- Deadline
- February 26, 2027.
- Next open deadline
- February 26, 2027 (United Way of the Columbia Gorge Annual Grant)
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 2, Hood River, OR 97031
Phone: (541) 386-6100
Website: https://unitedwaycolumbiagorge.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from United Way of the Columbia Gorge
Who United Way of the Columbia Gorge funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Columbia Gorge Food Bank ($29K). Together the top 10 received $219K.
Grant Size Distribution
98 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 98 grants of 98 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The stated service region is Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties in Oregon and Klickitat and Skamania counties in Washington. In the 2025 filing, 70% of grant dollars went to recipients in Oregon and 30% to recipients in Washington. The funder says donors may designate contributions to Wasco/Sherman, Hood River, or Klickitat/Skamania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is United Way of the Columbia Gorge open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 20 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $18K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $150K (2023) to $335K (2024). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $312K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Gorge Food Bank The Dalles, OR | Assistance | $28,856 |
| Wagap Programs Bingen, WA | Assistance | $27,370 |
| Safespace Children's Advocacy Center Hood River, OR | Assistance | $24,821 |
| Columbia Gorge CASA Hood River, OR | Assistance | $24,495 |
| Skamania County Council on DVSA Stevenson, WA | Assistance | $21,275 |
| Helping Hands Against Violence Hood River, OR | Assistance | $21,112 |
| Fish Food Bank Hood River, OR | Assistance | $17,729 |
| The Dalles Meals on Wheels The Dalles, OR | Assistance | $17,729 |
| The Dalles Community Backpack Program The Dalles, OR | Assistance | $17,729 |
| Youth Empowerment Shelter The Dalles, OR | Assistance | $17,403 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of the Columbia Gorge?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $778,868 | $619,217 | $632,125 | $311,814 | 20 | — |
| 2024 | $789,744 | $501,090 | $598,569 | $334,996 | 19 | — |
| 2023 | $834,816 | $416,552 | $349,398 | $149,780 | 18 | $32 |
| 2022 | $830,612 | $526,312 | $471,902 | $237,910 | 19 | $7,456 |
| 2021 | $748,821 | $345,837 | $436,692 | $219,000 | 22 | $5,643 |
| 2019 | $721,206 | $482,770 | $436,156 | $204,900 | 18 | $7,120 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated 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.”
Its annual grant program supports eligible 501(c)(3) human-service agencies or programs addressing basic needs, including food, shelter, and emotional and physical health, as well as community improvement efforts such as youth outreach and education. The funder has also identified food insecurity, domestic violence, youth mental health, and literacy as funding priorities.
Examples of supported grantees include Columbia Gorge CASA, whose mission is to advocate for children and families; Helping Hands Against Violence, which says it assists victims and children of domestic violence; and The Dalles Meals on Wheels, which says it provides meals and social interaction for seniors, as well as meals for home-bound seniors and people with disabilities.
Grantmaking
The 2025 filing reports 20 grants totaling $311,814. Grant amounts ranged from $5,156 to $28,856, with a median of $15,793.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $28,856 to Columbia Gorge Food Bank, $27,370 to WAGAP Programs, $24,821 to SafeSpace Children’s Advocacy Center, and $24,495 to Columbia Gorge CASA. Other listed recipients include Helping Hands Against Violence ($21,112), FISH Food Bank ($17,729), The Dalles Meals on Wheels ($17,729), and Youth Empowerment Shelter ($17,403). The filing lists each of these grants’ purpose as “assistance.”
The funder’s website describes an annual allocations process in which volunteers review applications, hear presentations, and recommend distributions; the board makes the final approval decision. The website’s 2025–2026 funding announcement says the board approved grants for 33 organizations. Its stated restrictions exclude government agencies, political parties and campaigns, organizations focused on influencing legislation, capital campaigns and large-scale projects, purely denominational religious events or organizations, pro-choice or pro-life organizations, and organized sports teams.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Paul Blackburn as president, Doug Holmes as treasurer, and Suny Simon as secretary. It lists Jeff Heater, Alisha Nightingale, Gordon Sato, Tonya Brumley, Brad Finson, and Cody Cornett as board members, and Caroline Grew as executive director.
United Way of the Columbia Gorge is led by Caroline Grew, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Caroline Grew
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
$78K (2025)
Paul Blackburn
President
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gordon Sato
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Heater
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suny Simon
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alisha Nightingale
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Finson
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cody Cornett
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug Holmes
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tonya Brumley
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Lisa Willis (2023–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Barbara Young (2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Barb Young (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Joe Guenther (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Karen Neitzel (2019–2021) — President
- Former: Steve Morrow (2019) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $78K, to Caroline Grew (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about United Way of the Columbia Gorge
How much does United Way of the Columbia Gorge give each year?
United Way of the Columbia Gorge gave $312K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $335K across 19 grants.
What is United Way of the Columbia Gorge's typical grant size?
United Way of the Columbia Gorge's median grant in 2025 was $15,793, and its average grant was $15,591, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of the Columbia Gorge that year got $7K on average.
Where does United Way of the Columbia Gorge give grants?
United Way of the Columbia Gorge gives mostly in Oregon: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Washington (30%). The most frequent recipient cities were Hood River, OR (7 grants) and The Dalles, OR (6 grants).
Does United Way of the Columbia Gorge give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of the Columbia Gorge's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Assistance" (20 grants).
Who are United Way of the Columbia Gorge's largest grantees?
United Way of the Columbia Gorge's largest 2025 grantees include Columbia Gorge Food Bank ($28,856), Wagap Programs ($27,370) and Safespace Children's Advocacy Center ($24,821), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of the Columbia Gorge?
United Way of the Columbia Gorge reported $779K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $619K.
What does United Way of the Columbia Gorge fund?
The organization’s stated 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.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of the Columbia Gorge?
The funder accepts unsolicited requests through its annual grant application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of the Columbia Gorge's EIN?
United Way of the Columbia Gorge's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-0834020. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does United Way of the Columbia Gorge accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 14, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of the Columbia Gorge's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of the Columbia Gorge funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-the-columbia-gorge-morg_24cb84c6b1734262ad28c5d44fb8dc07
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_930834020_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of the Columbia Gorge funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-the-columbia-gorge-morg_24cb84c6b1734262ad28c5d44fb8dc07},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from United Way of the Columbia Gorge's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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