United Way of the Columbia- Willamette
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
At United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW), we envision an Oregon and Southwest Washington where every child and family - regardless of geography, race, or family incomehas a stable foundation and access to the resources and support necessary to thrive.Grounded in the needs and lived experiences of people in our region, we believe that early and consistent support for families reduces childhood trauma, improves educational outcomes, increases economic mobility, and strengthens communities. In response to growing datasets that highlight the challenges ALICE households face (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), our work is increasingly focused on supporting individuals and families who earn above the federal poverty line yet still struggle to afford life's basic necessities.
- Income
- $27.0 million
- Spending
- $29.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 12.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 81%
- Employees
- 59
- Volunteers
- 4,703
- Highest pay
- $321,297, president/ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $13.8 million spent. Housing StabilityAs rising costs of living, housing insecurity, and fragmented support systems place undue pressure on families across our region, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW) works to prevent homelessness and promote long-term housing stability.In the past year, UWCW strengthened our efforts through Eviction Legal Defense, Health-Related Social Needs, and the Resilient Families Fund, helping more than 6,700 households avoid displacement and/or remain securely housed. (See continuation on Schedule O). Eviction Legal Defense: Since 2023, this program has helped more than 4,000 households (~10,000 individuals), providing critical legal support to renters facing housing instability. In the last year alone, the program provided $1.8M in financial assistance to low-income renters in Portland facing eviction. Additionally, the Eviction Legal Defense program played a crucial role in crafting Oregon HB2001 and new tenant protections. Health-Related Social Needs: Through our regional partnership with CareOregon and 23 service providers, more than 2,500 households have received coordinated rent and utility assistance paired with case management and stabilization services. Resilient Families Fund: UWCW's flexible, low-barrier assistance fund has helped 225 households (representing 535 individuals) stay housed, cover essentials and build long-term stability. Ninety percent of participating households remained stably housed six months after receiving support.
- $8.1 million spent. Coalition/ConveningBuilt on longstanding trust and partnership, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (UWCW) is uniquely positioned to convene local leaders and community members with lived experience around a shared vision for a stronger Oregon and Southwest Washington. These robust partnerships have united leaders and programs across sectors to effectively deploy resources and deliver impact at scale. (See continuation on Schedule O). Youth Opportunity: Convened organizations and supported programs that connected more than 12,000 children to early learning resources and services, placed 1,180 young children in high-quality Preschool Promise programs, and helped provide more than 13,000 children with monthly books through a strategic partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Community Resiliency: $302,000 in grants were distributed to 33 disaster resilience organizations statewide through UWCW's Disaster Resilience Learning Network. Over the past two years, UWCW has also expanded its role beyond a direct service facilitator to a strategic funder through initiatives like our Community Grants and the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) Organizational Health Grant Program. Community Grants: $1.5 million granted to 50+ grassroots organizations prioritizing investment in BIPOC- and immigrant-led organizations. JOHS Organization Health Grant Program: Since 2024, the program has strengthened workforce stability across the homelessness response system by supporting 61 organizations, 88% of which achieved staff retention rates of 60% or higher.
- $364,302 spent. Volunteerism For nearly 30 years, Hands On of Greater Portland (HOP) has connected volunteers to meaningful projects that strengthen Portland: mentoring youth, providing care to our most vulnerable, supporting literacy, and protecting the environment. Through the HOP program, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette links volunteers with local service opportunities and helps nonprofit organizations engage volunteers who are ready to make a difference. Hours given to volunteerism: 7,500 Number of volunteers: 4,703 Number of projects: 1,414 Number of non-profit agencies that we served: 85
- $3.0 million spent. Community Investment: UWCW awarded 32 grants to local organizations supporting Civic Engagement and Advocacy.Donor Choice - UWCW offers donor the opportunity to designate their gift directly to 501 (3) organizations of their choice. Donations given through United Way provide support to a wide variety of nonprofits and help keep fundraising cost low for these organizations as well as increasing philanthropy within the community.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1970.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.