New ‘Give for the Gorge’ Program Launches to Support Local Nonprofits
Proceeds from the point-of-sale program will benefit local organizations focused on the environment, housing and food security.
Give for the Gorge launches today at businesses across the Columbia River Gorge, including at Gorge Big Winds in Hood River, OR.
By Friends of the Gorge
Hood River, Ore., February 21, 2024 — The Friends of the Columbia Gorge has a new way for visitors, locals and online customers to give back to the region and its communities.
Give for the Gorge is a new point-of-sale fundraising program that gives people an easy way to make a positive difference in a place they love. Customers at participating local businesses can “tip the Gorge” during a transaction by writing in any donation amount or rounding up to the next dollar.
Donations can also be made directly at GiveForTheGorge.org.
The Columbia River Gorge has evolved into a world-class travel destination, attracting more than 2.5 million visitors in 2023.
Hikers at Coyote Wall. Photo Courtesy of Friends of the Columbia Gorge.
As its popularity has grown, so has the need for environmental stewardship, affordable housing, and social services for the local workforce due to the increased cost of living.
“Give for the Gorge was created to help ensure that the Columbia River Gorge and its communities are preserved for future generations of visitors and residents,” said founder and project manager, Sandi Scheinberg. “It will provide a much-needed, ongoing source of funding to eight incredible Gorge-area nonprofits focused on the three areas of greatest need in the Gorge: housing, food security and the environment.”
Starting today, Give for the Gorge will benefit 8 local nonprofit organizations: Cascades Carnivore Project, Columbia Land Trust, Columbia Riverkeeper, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Gorge Grown Food Network, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council, The Next Door and Thrive Hood River.
Funds will be distributed equally among the organizations on a quarterly basis in order to support old-growth forest protection, clean drinking water, food donations to hungry families, farmland conservation, job training for disadvantaged youth, carnivore conservation, advocacy for affordable housing, river clean-ups, trail building and much more.
“Give for the Gorge is the first local program that gives visitors and locals alike an easy way to give back to the place they treasure,” said Kevin Gorman, executive director of Friends of the Columbia Gorge. “Maybe people can’t do trail work themselves, or improve the health of the Columbia River, or address the high housing costs that result from being a destination community, but they can support the groups that do.”
Give for the Gorge is modeled on Lake Tahoe, Calif.’s successful $1 for Tahoe program. In 2022, more than $749 million was raised in the United States by 77 point-of-sale fundraising campaigns that each raised at least $1 million. These programs have raised more than $6.7 billion over three decades.
Give for the Gorge is launching with a number of Gorge-area businesses partners—everything from breweries and hotels to gear shops and outfitters. A full list of current participating businesses is available at GiveForTheGorge.org.
Visitors can also look for the Give for the Gorge logo on business window fronts and at the check-out areas.
Give for the Gorge at the Hood River Hotel!
“We’re thrilled to be one of the inaugural business partners for Give for the Gorge, and we highly encourage other local businesses to join us,” said James Pearrow, general manager, Hood River Hotel. “We know our guests value all the natural beauty, outdoor activities, agritourism and unique local businesses that the Gorge has to offer, and they appreciate us providing them with an easy way to give back to this special place.”
Gorge-area businesses that are interested in joining can contact info@giveforthegorge.org for further information.
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