What We Do

The GENEROSITY of Volunteers’ Time.
The GIFT of Donors’ Financial Contributions.
The POWER to Change Lives in the Columbia Gorge.

UNITED WAY of the COLUMBIA GORGE (UWCG) is a non-profit, local agency 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.

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—like food, safe shelter and emergency assistance—to addressing other needs such as support for local Seniors, positive child and youth development and affordable housing.

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 funding, or allocations, committee is comprised of nine local volunteers representing all three councils (and all five counties) and 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.

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; we change the lives of those who walk by us every day.