THE GORGE — United Way of the Columbia Gorge (UWCG) has announced its 2025-2026 funding recipients:
Books for Kids Columbia Gorge
Columbia Gorge CASA
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center - For the Gorge Ecology Institute Program
Columbia Gorge Food Bank
Columbia Gorge Perinatal Mental Health Initiative
Community Art Studio of Skamania (CASS)/Skamania Kids & Youth (SKY)
CultureSeed
Diversity Studios
FISH Food Bank
Helping Hands Against Violence
Hood River County Christmas Project
Hood River Valley Adult Center
Lyle Lions Club
Mid Columbia Senior Center
Mid Valley Elementary PTO
New Hope Farms
Play Frontier
SafeSpace Children’s Advocacy Center of the Gorge
Skamania County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Six Rivers Dispute Resolution Center
SMART Reading
Special Olympics Hood River
Sunshine Club
The Backwoods Foundation
The Dalles Community BackPack Program
The Dalles Community Meal, Inc.
The Dalles Farmers Market
The Dalles Lions Club
The Dalles Meals on Wheels
Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) — Food Bank and Youth Center
WAGAP — Support mental health therapy sessions through Alton Counseling Consulting
Wylde Wind & Water
Youth Empowerment Shelter (Y.E.S.)
The total amount awarded was $309,500.
This year, 39 nonprofits applied. Committee members reviewed applications, heard presentations, and asked questions to better understand each organization’s mission and impact.
“It was a sobering reminder of the needs in our region, but also an inspiring look at the work being done to address them,” said a UWCG press release. The committee prioritized funding efforts that address food insecurity, domestic violence, youth mental health, and literacy. Based on their recommendations, the UWCG Board approved grants for the above 33 organizations.
Commented