Individual Giving
Discover the Many Ways to Make A Difference
Thank you for your interest in giving to United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. By working together, united, we will create lasting changes in our community. Your donation will be combined with thousands of others and invested in solutions that will improve lives right here in the four-county Portland/Vancouver region. Thanks to Cornerstone Partners, 100% of your gift goes to support people in need.
United Way’s Community Impact Fund provides funding for all three focus areas of education, income and health but you can also support individual focus areas or contribute to specific funds including Community Relief, Diversity, and Gas Assistance Program (GAP) in partnership with NW Natural.
There are a variety of ways to give and this page will walk you through the options. Thank you for your support of United Way.
Online Giving
This convenient and secure giving option allows you to make a one-time gift or donate monthly. You also have an option to give a gift on behalf of someone special. When you make give a gift for a special occasion or memorial we will acknowledge your gift with a card to the family or individual you wish to remember or honor.
Memorials & Honorariums
Looking for a gift for someone special? Make a donation on their behalf and help to change a life. You can also pay tribute to family or friends with a donation. We will gratefully acknowledge your gift with a card to the family or individual you wish to remember or honor. Please select this option on online giving, indicate it when speaking to our staff when giving by phone or note it on a mailed donation.
By Mail
Make checks payable to "United Way of the Columbia-Willamette" and mail to:
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette
Attn: Finance Dept.
619 SW 11th Ave #300
Portland, OR 97205
By Phone
To make a gift through a credit card by phone call (503) 228-9131
- Make a gift with stock
- Make a planned gift
Stocks and Securities
Those who donate stock enjoy numerous benefits, including:
- Claiming the market value of the securities as a tax-deductible contribution (as opposed to the cost basis)
- Avoiding capital gains tax, local and state taxes on the profit from the sale of securities
- Lowering the cost basis of the gift
To donate appreciated stock or securities call (503) 226-9313.
You can realize enhanced tax savings by making your gift to United Way with appreciated securities. Stocks, bonds and mutual funds can also be donated to charity and provide tax savings. When donating securities, it is important to keep in mind whether they have increased or decreased in value over time.
If the value of the securities has increased, consider donating them directly to the organization rather than selling them and donating the cash. Securities that you have owned for more than a year can be tax deductible at their full fair market value, not at the original cost. In addition, this also allows you to bypass capital gains taxes that you would owe if you sold the securities. Donations of securities are deductible in amounts up to 30% of AGI.
However, if the value of your securities has decreased over time, you may want to sell them and then donate the all or part of the proceeds. You will receive the tax deduction for the amount of the charitable gift as well as creating a loss that you may also be able to claim.
If your securities are held at a brokerage firm: Contact your broker in writing and request a transfer of securities to the United Way account. United Way has accounts at most of the brokerage houses in our area.
To donate appreciated stock or securities call (503) 226-9313 for more information.
Join the Small Business Challenge
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is putting out a challenge to the small businesses in our area; help us raise $10,000 to fund critical programs focusing on education, income and health in the Portland-Vancouver metro area.
No one person or organization can solve our community's tough issues alone. That's why United Way exists and that's why we need the support from your small business.
Learn more about how your small business can participate in the United Way Small Business Challenge.
Donate to the Pacific Northwest CFC
If you are a federal employee, you have the opportunity to contribute to United Way of the Columbia-Willamette through the Combined Federal Campaign.
When you choose CFC code #55440 for your 2010 contributions you are helping United Way of the Columbia-Willamette advance the common good and create lasting changes in your community.
Learn more about Combined Federal Campaign or visit yourcfc.org