United Way of Central Oregon

What United Way of Central Oregon does

United Way of Central Oregon (UWCO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1953 and headquartered at 150 NE Hawthorne Ave, Bend, Oregon, serving Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties. The organization functions as the regional safety-net backbone, distributing philanthropic capital and coordinating community resources to address financial hardship among ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households — households earning above the federal poverty level but below the basic cost of living, representing 32–43% of households across the tri-county region. In 2024, UWCO completed a merger with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, with Diana Fischetti serving as Regional Executive Director and with regional donations kept local.

UWCO operates a portfolio of nine integrated programs: (1) Ride United Transportation Access, which distributes Lyft ride credits ($22 per ride, each way) to eligible residents of Bend, Redmond, and La Pine; (2) the Resilient Families Fund providing proactive emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and groceries; (3) CARES Collection Drives supplying hygiene products such as diapers and period products; (4) Community Impact Grants to 22+ vetted local nonprofits; (5) Emergency Food & Shelter Grants administering FEMA EFSP and Deschutes County Video Lottery funds (~$300,000 disbursed in 2024); (6) the TRACEs collective-impact backbone across 80+ entities focused on childhood trauma; (7) free tax preparation through MyFreeTaxes and VITA partners; (8) disaster resilience services; and (9) 211 referral services through 211info. Programs are delivered via a multi-channel architecture combining direct service, nonprofit partner networks, government contracting, corporate philanthropy, and 211 referral, rather than a proprietary technology platform — the technology stack is a WordPress website plus integrations with Lyft, 211info, and standard donor CRM tooling.

UWCO is funded through three primary streams: individual and workplace giving campaigns (over 100 local businesses participate), Corporate Cornerstone sponsorships tiered from $1,000 to $24,999 underwriting operating costs (notable partners include PacificSource, WaFd Bank, U.S. Bank, Bend Broadband, Cummins, Nosler, St. Charles Health System, NewsChannel 21, and The Bulletin), and government grant administration (federal EFSP and Deschutes County video lottery funds). There is no revenue or fee-for-service pricing — direct services are provided free to eligible individuals, and grants are unrestricted or restricted depending on donor designation. Operating with approximately 7 professional staff supplemented by a volunteer Local Board, UWCO reached 45,963 individuals directly and 27% of all Central Oregonians through funded programs. Following the 2024 merger with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, UWCO also operates as part of a larger Pacific Northwest regional entity without separate commercial ownership, venture backing, or equity instruments.

Name

United Way of Central Oregon

Legal name

United Way of Central Oregon

Website

https://unitedwaycentraloregon.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way of Central Oregon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1953, serving ALICE households and vulnerable residents across Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties. It funds direct-service programs — Ride United transportation, Resilient Families Fund, CARES supplies, and community grants to vetted nonprofits — through individual, corporate, and government revenue streams.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Philanthropy Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Community philanthropy services
• Nonprofit grantmaking
• Social services coordination
• Disaster resilience programs
• Transportation assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Bend

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Community Philanthropy and Donations: Individual donors contribute through direct giving, workplace campaigns (over 100 local businesses), and event-based fundraising (Radiothon, Over the Edge). United Way distributes these funds as grants to vetted nonprofit partners and direct service programs.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate Cornerstone Partners (OPAL $10,000–$24,999; Jade $5,000–$9,999; Agate $2,500–$4,999; Jasper $1,000–$2,499) underwrite operating costs. In-kind media partnerships provide advertising support. Event sponsorships supplement revenue.
3. Federal and County Grants Administration: UWCO administers federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) funds from FEMA and Deschutes County Video Lottery Funds, distributing grants to local nonprofits. Federal funds were paused starting 2025, reducing available grantmaking capital. Approximately $300,000 was distributed in 2024 across Central Oregon.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Way of Central Oregon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes community resources to address financial hardship, food insecurity, transportation barriers, and childhood trauma across Central Oregon. It funds this work through individual donations, workplace giving campaigns, Corporate Cornerstone partnerships, and administration of federal/county grants, then distributes resources via direct service programs (Ride United Lyft credits, Resilient Families Fund emergency assistance, CARES collection drives) and grants to vetted local nonprofit partners.

Product overview

United Way of Central Oregon operates as a nonprofit charitable organization offering a portfolio of community service programs rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include: transportation assistance through Ride United (providing Lyft ride credits for essential services), grantmaking programs distributing funds to local nonprofits (Community Impact Grants, Emergency Food & Shelter Grants), disaster resilience services, the Resilient Families Fund for housing stabilization, and the CARES program for essential supplies distribution. Additional services include a 2-1-1 helpline, free tax preparation assistance (MyFreeTaxes), and philanthropy facilitation including employee giving campaigns and Corporate Cornerstone partnerships. The organization also incubates the TRACEs initiative addressing childhood trauma and resilience. These programs are managed through WordPress-based web infrastructure rather than a proprietary technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ride United: Transportation access program providing Lyft codes for essential transportation needs
• Resilient Families Fund
• CARES (Community Access to Resources & Essential Supplies)
• United Way CARES
• TRACEs (Trauma, Resilience, and Adverse Childhood Experiences)
• Emergency Food & Shelter Grants
• Community Impact Grants
• MyFreeTaxes

Products and services

• Ride United Transportation Access Provides eligible residents of Bend, Redmond, and La Pine with Lyft ride credits of $22 per ride (each way) for essential transportation needs including employment, healthcare, food access, education, legal services, housing, and economic stability.
• Grantmaking Invests in local, direct-service nonprofits that strengthen the health and well-being of people across Central Oregon through Community Impact Grants and Emergency Food & Shelter Grants.
• Needs Assessment Gathers data on financial hardship, resilience, and other community metrics (including United For ALICE county-level research) to inform resource allocation and advocacy efforts.
• Philanthropy Programs Enables individual community members and businesses to give back through employee giving campaigns, corporate gifts, event sponsorships, and Corporate Cornerstone partnerships.
• Resilient Families Fund Proactive approach to preventing homelessness by providing emergency assistance for rent, groceries, and utilities before a crisis escalates.
• CARES (Community Access to Resources & Essential Supplies) Collection drives providing essential supplies such as diapers, period products, and incontinence products to those most in need, including plans for a mobile laundry truck.
• Disaster Resilience Community preparedness, response, and recovery services to help neighbors unite and recover stronger from disasters.
• 2-1-1 Helpline Free, confidential helpline connecting individuals with services for suicide prevention, financial problems, violence, child care, food help, transportation, substance abuse, COVID-19 and more.
• MyFreeTaxes Free tax preparation assistance for federal and state tax returns for eligible taxpayers (approximately 70% of U.S. taxpayers are eligible).
• TRACEs (Trauma, Resilience, and Adverse Childhood Experiences) Community-wide movement of 80+ entities working to dramatically improve health and well-being by addressing childhood trauma as a root cause of regional health issues, with focus on children/youth in foster care and the childcare affordability crisis.
• Emergency Food & Shelter Grants (EFSG/EFSP) Federal Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) and Deschutes County EFSG funds distributed to nonprofits providing food, shelter, and clothing services, totaling approximately $300,000 in 2024 across Central Oregon.
• Corporate Cornerstone Partnership Tiered program (Jasper $1,000–$2,499, Agate $2,500–$4,999, Jade $5,000–$9,999, OPAL $10,000–$24,999) allowing corporations, foundations, and small businesses to direct their annual gift toward underwriting administrative expenses so more of every donation reaches programs.
• Employee Giving Campaigns Free workplace giving campaign infrastructure for local businesses and nonprofits throughout Central Oregon to meet company philanthropic and community impact goals, with employees pledging via payroll deduction.
• Community Impact Partner Grants Annual grants awarded to vetted local nonprofits focusing on health, education, prevention, development, financial stability, basic needs, childhood trauma, community transformation, and building resilience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45,963 individuals directly impacted by UWCO-funded programs and services
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Family Access NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRide United partner that connects clients to transportation services for essential needs including employment, healthcare, and food access.
• KIDS CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRide United partner serving children and families; connects clients to transportation for childcare and family services.
• Latino Community AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRide United partner providing culturally specific services to Latino community members; connects clients to transportation for essential needs.
• Mosaic MedicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRide United partner; community health center connecting patients to transportation for medical appointments and healthcare services.
• The Giving PlatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual partner: Ride United partner and ESFG grant recipient. Operates 3 hunger-relief programs providing food to those in need across Central Oregon.
• Thrive Central OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRide United partner and ESFG grant recipient. Provides social services, housing resources, and financial stability programs.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of BendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESFG grant recipient ($6,000 in 2025); provides youth programming and summer food access for children when school meals are unavailable.
• Central Oregon Veteran & Community Outreach (COVO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESFG grant recipient ($5,000 in 2025); provides assistance to Veterans and community members in need.
• Family KitchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESFG grant recipient ($5,000 in 2025); serves meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity.
• Friends of the Children – Central OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESFG grant recipient ($2,500 in 2025); provides long-term mentoring for youth facing adversity.
• Jericho RoadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESFG grant recipient ($5,000 in 2025); provides food, shelter, and emergency assistance to kids, adults, and families in Redmond.
• Shepherd's House MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESFG grant recipient ($11,000 in 2025, highest amount); serves individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction recovery in Central Oregon.
• St. Vincent de Paul Bend/La Pine/RedmondcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree ESFG grant recipients (totaling $18,000 in 2025); provide food, clothing, energy assistance, and emergency services across Central Oregon communities.
• Saving GraceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEFSP grant recipient providing support for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault in Central Oregon.
• NeighborImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEFSP/ESFG partner; provides food bank services, housing, and homeless services across Central Oregon. VITA tax preparation site location (Bend and Redmond).
• 211infocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to operate the 2-1-1 helpline and online resource directory connecting Central Oregon residents with social services including UWCO programs.
• PacificSource Health PlansflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Cornerstone OPAL partner ($10,000–$24,999) underwriting UWCO operating costs. PacificSource is a regional health insurer.
• WaFd BankflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Cornerstone OPAL partner ($10,000–$24,999) underwriting UWCO operating costs.
• Bend BroadbandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Cornerstone Jade partner ($5,000–$9,999) underwriting UWCO operating costs.
• CumminscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Cornerstone Jade partner ($5,000–$9,999) underwriting UWCO operating costs.
• Nosler, InccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Cornerstone Jade partner ($5,000–$9,999) underwriting UWCO operating costs.
• U.S. BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Cornerstone Jade partner ($5,000–$9,999) underwriting UWCO operating costs.
• CostcominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Cornerstone Agate partner ($2,500–$4,999) underwriting UWCO operating costs.
• St. Charles Health SystemminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Cornerstone Agate partner ($2,500–$4,999) underwriting UWCO operating costs.
• NewsChannel 21 (KTVZ)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerFlagship Media Partner providing in-kind TV advertising. 21 Cares for Kids partnership for community coverage. Major promotional partner for Radiothon and events.
• The BulletincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner providing in-kind print and digital advertising for UWCO campaigns and events.
• United Way of the Columbia-WillametteflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompleted merger in 2024. Combined entity serves Central Oregon and Portland metro area. Shared commitment to youth opportunities, healthy communities, community resilience, and financial security. Donations in each region stay local.
• LyftcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for Ride United program. UWCO provides Lyft ride codes ($22 per ride each way) loaded directly into beneficiaries' Lyft apps for essential transportation in Bend, Redmond, and La Pine.
• United For ALICEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership to produce ALICE Reports on financial hardship. United Way of Central Oregon releases county-level ALICE data (Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson counties) to inform grantmaking and advocacy.
• United Ways of the Pacific Northwest (UWPNW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional trade association representing 30+ local United Ways in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. UWCO participates in ALICE research, community initiatives, and regional collaboration through UWPNW.
• CASH Oregon / AARP Tax-AideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting free tax preparation and tax credit outreach across 32 Oregon counties at 140+ tax sites. In-person VITA appointments available in Deschutes County.
• MyFreeTaxesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree online tax filing service offered by UWCO; 70% of U.S. taxpayers are eligible. Helps community members file federal and state returns without tax preparation fees.
• Deschutes County (Transportation Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRide United Transportation Access program serves residents of Deschutes County, specifically Bend, Redmond, and La Pine city limits. County-based program addressing transportation barriers to essential services.
• TRACEs (Trauma, Resilience, and Adverse Childhood Experiences)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWCO serves as the collective impact backbone for TRACEs, a community-wide movement of 80+ entities working to address childhood trauma as a root cause of regional health issues. Two target populations: children/youth in foster care and the childcare affordability crisis.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Way of the Columbia-Willamette: The Portland-metro United Way that completed a merger with UWCO in 2024. Operates an identical model (workplace giving, grantmaking, ALICE research, direct-service programs) and now shares back-office resources, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• 211info: Operates Oregon and Washington 2-1-1 helplines, a core referral channel for UWCO's programs. A close operational partner and partial peer in social-services referral and information delivery.
• NeighborImpact: Central Oregon's community action agency delivering food bank, housing, homeless services, and VITA tax prep — overlapping with UWCO's EFSP/ESFG grantmaking and Ride United referral network. Both administer federal anti-poverty funds in the same tri-county geography.
• The Giving Plate: Central Oregon food bank that is both a Ride United and ESFG partner. Operates three hunger-relief programs and is one of UWCO's most strategic grantees, directly comparable in mission delivery.
• Shepherd's House Ministries: Central Oregon's primary provider of homelessness and addiction recovery services; largest 2025 ESFG grant recipient ($11K). Directly comparable as a frontline service provider in UWCO's homeless services portfolio.
• United Way of Lane County: Another Oregon-based United Way serving a similar rural/mixed region (Eugene/Springfield) with workplace giving, grantmaking, and direct service programs. Comparable in mission, scale, and federal fund administration role.
• Family Access Network (FAN): Central Oregon nonprofit serving children and families that is both a UWCO Community Impact Partner and Ride United partner. Comparable mission and beneficiary population with overlapping service lines (case management, basic needs).

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: The global umbrella organization for the United Way network. Not a direct competitor but defines the brand, infrastructure, and national partnerships (e.g., MyFreeTaxes) that UWCO leverages.
• Oregon Community Foundation: Oregon's largest community foundation, making grants across the state including Central Oregon. Comparable as a regional philanthropy and grantmaking intermediary, though broader in scope and asset scale.
• Habitat for Humanity Central Oregon: Regional housing nonprofit that complements UWCO's housing stability work (Resilient Families Fund, Ride United to housing). Comparable as a community-based housing/homelessness services organization with similar funding mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/liveunitedco
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/liveunitedco
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnitedWayCentralOR
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwaycentralor
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unitedwaycentralor

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Way of Central Oregon