Fall Grants Awarded

Published: 11.19.2025

Across the Blue Mountain region, local nonprofits are doing extraordinary work — feeding seniors, mentoring youth, empowering individuals with disabilities, supporting survivors, and strengthening families. United Way of the Blue Mountains is honored to stand beside these organizations and invest in their missions through one of our most meaningful traditions: the Live United Mini Grants.

Each fall, we award small but powerful grants to programs that demonstrate compassion, creativity, and measurable impact. Combined with our major Spring Community Impact Grants, these investments ensure year-round support for the essential services our community depends on.

This year, 11 organizations across Walla Walla, Columbia, Umatilla, and Morrow counties were selected as Fall 2025 Mini Grant recipients. Their work represents some of the most inspiring, human-centered efforts in our region — and our donors make every bit of it possible.

💙 Meet the Organizations Making a Difference

Together, these nonprofits touch thousands of lives every year:

Walla Walla & Columbia Counties

• Walla Walla Valley Disability Network – Supporting families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Parent to Parent and SOAR programs.

• Walla Walla Senior Citizens Center – Providing essential nutrition and social connection to older adults through its Senior Nutrition Program.

• Power House Theatre Walla Walla – Bringing vibrant, accessible arts experiences to local youth and families through the Little Watts series.

• Children’s Home Society of Washington – Akin – Strengthening families, stabilizing households, and meeting basic needs through the Family Resource Center.

• Walla Walla Symphony Society – Expanding arts access with free family concerts and rich educational programming, including The Wild Symphony.

• Lillie Rice Center – Creating employment and inclusion opportunities for individuals with disabilities through vocational training and job support.

• Friends of Children of Walla Walla – Transforming lives through their ABC School Mentoring Program, connecting youth with caring adult mentors.

Umatilla & Morrow Counties

• Stanfield Community Center – Feeding seniors weekly while offering connection, community, and support.

• The Salvation Army – Pendleton Corps – Feeding families, providing emergency assistance, and supporting neighbors facing hardship.

• Domestic Violence Services of Umatilla & Morrow Counties – Providing safety, shelter, advocacy, and trauma-informed care to survivors and their children.

These programs represent the beating heart of our region — people helping people, neighbors uplifting neighbors.

🌱 The Power of Community Investment

United Way donors are not simply giving dollars; they are strengthening lives.

Your support ensures:

• Families can keep food on the table during crisis

• Seniors receive nourishment and companionship

• Children build confidence, resilience, and hope

• Survivors find safety and a path forward

• Individuals with disabilities gain independence and employment

• Youth experience the arts, mentorship, and new opportunities

These are the moments that shape a stronger tomorrow.

And they happen because of you.

🗣️ A Message From Our Executive Director

“These organizations inspire us. Their compassion, determination, and creativity strengthen our entire region. When donors choose to support United Way, they fuel work that creates real, lasting change for thousands of neighbors. Together, we are building a community where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”
— Christy Lieuallen, Executive Director

🤝 Together, We Live United

The 2025 Fall Mini Grants are just one part of United Way’s year-round commitment to strengthening local programs. Our Spring Community Impact Grants, awarded at the end of campaign season, provide deeper, long-term investments that help nonprofits continue their critical work.

Together, these two cycles ensure a steady stream of support for organizations that create safety, connection, stability, and hope for people across our region

👉 Want to Help?

You can support the next round of grants and invest in your community: