News - United Way of Central Oregon

Our Groundbreaking New Study Reveals that Nearly Half of Oregon Households Struggle to Afford the Basics

May 13, 2025

ALICE Report details size and scope of financial hardship in Central Oregon. Diana Fischetti (United Way of Central Oregon Regional Executive Director), Jim Cooper (United Ways of the Pacific Northwest President and CEO) and Stephanie Hoopes, Ph.D. (United For ALICE Director), are available for interviews. There were 737,157 Oregon households unable to afford the state’s […]

We just opened our 2025 Emergency Food & Shelter Grants for Deschutes County!

April 16, 2025

We have $60,000 Available to Support Local Agencies Meeting Urgent Community Needs! We just announced that the 2025 Deschutes County Emergency Food & Shelter Grants (EFSG) application is now open. With $60,000 in funding available, local agencies providing critical financial stability and community resilience services—such as food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and disaster preparedness, response […]

We’re reflecting on our 2024 achievements and looking ahead to 2025!

February 6, 2025

We’re celebrating a year of significant accomplishments, including the deployment of emergency food and shelter funds to organizations across Central Oregon. These efforts, combined with strategic initiatives and partnerships, have laid a strong foundation for continued growth and impact in 2025. In 2024, we administered federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and Emergency Food […]

We’re announcing our historic merger with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette to strengthen community impact!

July 9, 2024

In a landmark move to amplify our shared mission, we have announced our official merger with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, a unification expands our reach and effectiveness in serving individuals and families in both regions! The merger unites our two established nonprofits under one shared commitment to critical issues such as expanding youth opportunities, […]

Our Administration of the Award of $166,179 will Strengthen Emergency Services in Deschutes County

June 13, 2024

United Way of Central Oregon (UWCO) proudly announces the administration of $166,179 in grants aimed to enhance emergency food, shelter, and clothing services across Deschutes County. This substantial investment will support the most vulnerable members of our community, addressing critical needs and fostering resilience among those facing hardship. This year, $78,400 of the funds were […]

Despite Bigger Paychecks, Struggling Households in Oregon Continue to Increase

June 11, 2024

New ALICE Update shows wage growth was no match for inflation after a decade of falling behind. Though wages for the lowest paid jobs have risen across the country at the fastest rate in four decades, the number of households struggling to get by in Oregon grew by more than 19,000 from 2021 to 2022. […]

March 21, 2023

funds will assist local nonprofits in providing emergency food and shelter United Way in Central Oregon (UWCO) announces $162,000 in grants to seventeen nonprofits providing critical emergency food and shelter services in Deschutes County. These grants are created from funds delegated to the UWCO from Deschutes County’s Video Lottery Fund and the Federal Emergency Management […]

October 13, 2022

Regional Grants Will Help Community Members Thrive United Way of Central Oregon (UWCO) announces $225,000 in Community Impact investments to twenty-two nonprofits serving Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties, and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Each year, UWCO makes investments in a network of non-profit partners working to advance a set of shared priorities. This […]

United Way Central Oregon Executive Director Ken Wilhelm retires

July 8, 2022

United Way Central Oregon Executive Director Ken Wilhelm retires Whitney Swander accepts interim leadership role to guide transition United Way Central Oregon’s Executive Director, Ken Wilhelm, is retiring after 34 years of service to the Region. Whitney Swander, who will serve as interim executive director, will lead the organization’s transition with a focus on reinventing […]

March 10, 2022

To our community: The scale of civilian casualties in Ukraine is alarming and heartbreaking. In moments like these that the mission of United Way is most urgently needed. United Way has established the United for Ukraine Fund to support the vital work on the ground to help more than a million people who […]