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United Way Of The Columbia-Willamette

Annual Giving
$10.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.2M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10.5M in community investment (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $5,000 (Catalyst grants) - $200,000+ (major initiatives)
  • Geographic Focus: Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington counties (OR) and Clark County (WA); expanded to Central Oregon in 2024

Contact Details

Main Office:

Grant & Program Inquiries:

Overview

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (EIN 93-0582124) has been mobilizing communities to address poverty in the Portland metro region for nearly 100 years. Since 2015, the organization has awarded 1,321 individual grants totaling $76.9 million. In 2023, they distributed $10.5 million in community investment and processed $1.9 million in donor-directed funds supporting 700+ nonprofit partners. The organization operates with a strong commitment to racial equity as the lens through which they center all their work, focusing on breaking the cycle of childhood poverty. In 2024, United Way merged with United Way of Central Oregon to expand their regional impact across the state. The organization serves as co-manager of two regional Early Learning Hubs and fiscal agent for multiple community initiatives including the Eviction Legal Defense Program and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Catalyst Grants: $5,000 - Small one-time investments to promote innovation and strengthen community networks. Funded in partnership with corporate sponsors like Wells Fargo. Applications reviewed twice yearly by community Review Committee. Since 2012, has dispersed $540,000 to propel new or burgeoning social programs addressing childhood poverty.

Safety Net Grants: Amount varies by organization - One-year, non-competitive partnerships providing short-term support for housing, food, utilities, and essential needs for families facing crises. Funding contingent on Breaking the Cycle fund donations.

Community Partner Funding: Multi-year partnerships supporting crisis services, rent and utilities assistance, and tax preparation services (EITC access).

Civic Engagement & Advocacy Fund: Grants for organizations with annual budgets under $2 million, awarded through competitive review process. One or two-year awards available.

Disaster Resilience Grants: Targeted funding for community-based organizations building resilience for communities of color most vulnerable to climate disasters (wildfires, heatwaves, floods). Recent example: $179,000 distributed to 12 organizations.

Workforce Stabilization Grants: Large-scale funding for homeless services sector. Recent example: $10 million distributed to 61 providers supporting 3,520 employees in housing and homelessness services system.

Housing Stability Initiatives: Major investments in eviction prevention and legal defense. Example: $200,000 to Oregon Law Center to expand capacity for multilingual eviction defense serving families of color.

Priority Areas

  • Early Learning: Co-manages Early Learning Multnomah (ELM) and Early Learning Washington County (ELWC) hubs. Received over $44.5 million to lead development of early learning systems. Processed 1,835 Preschool Promise applications in 2023.

  • Housing Stability: Eviction prevention, rent assistance, legal defense services. Helped 970 households stay in housing through $2.5 million in financial assistance (2023). Prevented 165 households from becoming houseless through lawyer assistance and rent arrears.

  • Disaster & Crisis Resiliency: Climate disaster preparedness for vulnerable communities, emergency assistance programs.

  • Financial Security: Free tax preparation services, EITC access, utilities assistance, short-term rent support.

  • Volunteerism & Community Engagement: Conducted 1,776 volunteer projects generating 15,333 volunteer hours (2023). Distributed 1,000 STEM Kits. Supported 14,456 families through referrals and workshops.

What They Don't Fund

While United Way does not publish a comprehensive exclusions list, eligibility criteria indicate limitations:

  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship
  • Organizations serving outside Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington (OR) and Clark (WA) counties (though now expanded to Central Oregon)
  • For Civic Engagement & Advocacy Fund: Organizations with annual budgets over $2 million

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Kelly O'Lague, MSW, LCSW - President and CEO Kelly brings over 25 years of nonprofit experience and is deeply committed to serving systematically excluded and underserved communities. She assumed leadership following Cindy Adams' retirement.

Leadership Quote: "As we celebrate our accomplishments, we also recognize that our work is far from over. We remain committed to addressing the root causes of inequity and injustice." - Kelly O'Lague

On the 2024 merger with United Way of Central Oregon: "United Ways globally improve lives by mobilizing communities. This merger reflects our unwavering dedication to a world where every person thrives. Together, we will drive transformative change and empower Oregonians in the Portland metro area and in Central Oregon."

Board of Directors

Board Leadership:

  • Mihir Patel (Board Chair) - Cambia Health Solutions
  • Ashlee Irwin (Vice Chair, Impact Committee Chair) - Kaiser Permanente
  • Edgard Rodriguez (Treasurer) - Vacasa
  • Isaac Cardona (Secretary) - Portland Public Schools
  • Deborah Dang (Finance Chair) - OpenSesame, Inc.
  • Mary Kay Sosa (Development Chair) - OnPoint Community Credit Union
  • Tichelle Sorensen (Governance and Nominating Chair) - Portland State University

Additional Board Members:

  • Susan Stearns - Pink Lemonade Project
  • Richard Desmond - Adidas
  • Brook Mentire - Killian Pacific
  • Dr. Staci Martin - Portland State University
  • Jim Francesconi - Moda Health
  • Nicole Tuite - Cambia Health Solutions
  • Mari McBurney - Nike Innovation
  • Dr. Yves Labissiere - Portland State University
  • Tim McMahan - Stoel Rives LLP
  • Jenn Latu - Portland General Electric
  • J.T. Hutchinson - PNC Bank

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette operates multiple grant programs with varying application processes:

Catalyst Grants: Applications reviewed twice yearly by a community Review Committee including corporate partners. Seven community leaders use a shared application scoring guide. Review Committee members are compensated for their time.

Civic Engagement & Advocacy Fund: Competitive application process with review committee of community members. Applications scored on: Alignment with Fund Purpose, Project Clarity and Feasibility, Connection with United Way's focus areas, and Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Safety Net Grants: Non-competitive partnerships. Current Safety Net partners include 211info, Project Access NOW, Labor's Community Service Agency, and Clackamas Service Center.

Other Programs: Many grants are strategic partnerships developed in collaboration with government agencies (e.g., Joint Office of Homeless Services, Portland Housing Bureau) rather than open application processes.

Organizations interested in partnership opportunities should contact United Way directly at 503-228-9131 or visit unitedway-pdx.org for current grant opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Catalyst Grants: Reviewed twice yearly; awards announced following review cycles.

Civic Engagement & Advocacy Fund: Grant agreements completed before funds distributed (typically August start date). One-year awards (August-July) and two-year awards available.

Specific timelines vary by program and funding availability.

Success Rates

United Way does not publicly disclose application success rates. Recent fiscal year data shows $3.7 million awarded to 89 organizations, suggesting selective grantmaking aligned with strategic priorities.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Safety Net partnerships are one-year in length, suggesting annual renewal opportunities for existing partners. Catalyst grants appear open to new and returning applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on United Way's documented priorities and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong Alignment with Racial Equity Goals: United Way explicitly states "commitment to racial equity is the lens through which they center all of their work, recognizing the insidious and prevailing existence of systemic racism." Successful projects serve communities of color and address systemic disparities. Example: Oregon Law Center's eviction defense program emphasizes recruiting lawyers who reflect communities served and providing multilingual support to Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Focus on Breaking Cycles of Childhood Poverty: United Way seeks to "break the cycle of childhood poverty by diminishing educational, economic or health disparities in underserved communities." Projects with intergenerational impact or addressing root causes are competitive.

Innovation and Systems Change: Catalyst grants specifically support "new or burgeoning social programs" that "initiate or strengthen an effort or raise awareness of an issue." United Way values innovative approaches and systemic solutions over band-aid fixes.

Collaborative Partnerships: Many successful initiatives involve multiple partners (e.g., Portland Housing Bureau + Oregon Law Center + Portland Community College for Eviction Legal Defense). Demonstrate how your project connects to broader community networks.

Measurable Community Impact: United Way's reporting emphasizes concrete outcomes (e.g., "970 households stayed in housing," "165 households prevented from becoming houseless," "14,456 families supported"). Applications should include clear metrics and evaluation plans.

Serving Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Families: United Way recognizes that 42% of households in their service area are at or below the ALICE threshold—families earning above poverty line but below cost of living. Programs serving working families facing financial instability align well.

Connection to Strategic Priorities: Projects explicitly connecting to Early Learning, Housing Stability, Disaster Resilience, or Financial Security have strongest alignment. Be specific about which priority area(s) your work addresses.

Geographic Relevance: Must serve Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington (OR) or Clark (WA) counties, or Central Oregon (post-2024 merger).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Equity is non-negotiable: Frame your work explicitly through a racial equity lens and demonstrate how you serve communities of color and systematically excluded populations.

  • Think systems change, not just services: United Way values "catalyzing collective action" and addressing "root causes of inequity." Position your project as part of broader systemic solutions.

  • Partnership matters: Many of United Way's most significant investments involve multi-organizational collaborations. Highlight existing partnerships and willingness to work across sectors.

  • Focus on childhood poverty: If your work impacts children and families, emphasize intergenerational effects and breaking cycles of poverty.

  • Consider multiple pathways: Beyond open grants like Catalyst, explore becoming a Safety Net partner, collaborating on government-funded initiatives, or connecting through Early Learning Hubs.

  • Budget size affects eligibility: Some programs (like Civic Engagement & Advocacy Fund) specifically target smaller organizations (under $2 million budget), while others fund major multi-million dollar initiatives. Know which programs match your organizational capacity.

  • Demonstrate measurable outcomes: United Way reports concrete impacts. Include specific, quantifiable goals and evaluation frameworks in proposals.

References

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