United Way of the Columbia-Willamette will receive a $700,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to reduce intergenerational poverty in the Portland-Vancouver area.
More than 550,000 people live in poverty in its four-county area (Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties in Oregon and Clark County), according to a news release from the Portland-based organization.
About two weeks ago, the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington received a similar four-year, $700,000 grant from the Gates Foundation.
Rick Melching, Community Foundation executive director, said he has talked with Keith Thomajan, president/CEO of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, but neither organization is far enough down the road to know whether their plans might intersect.
