Dear friends,

We all show support for the nonprofits we love in different ways. For me, the work that Oregon Energy Fund does is so meaningful that I wanted to be a part of it. In 2009, I decided to offer my professional skills as a CPA, and joined OEF’s Board of Directors as a member of the Finance Committee. From there, I became Treasurer of the Board, and, now, President. The entire time, my commitment to OEF has only continued to grow.

We each have something different to offer. As a new year begins, I want to invite you to join OEF as a volunteer, in whatever capacity fits you best. We’re always seeking upbeat and friendly community members to help us with our work.

Please visit OregonEnergyFund.org/Be-Involved to sign up and stay in the loop, or reach out to info@oregonenergyfund.org to learn more. Together, we can make our state a better place for all.

Tori Bryson

Board of Directors, President

It’s tough out there.

2018 was a year of extremes in Oregon. A sweltering summer set a record number of 90-degree days in Portland. Wildfires rampaged across the state. The senior population reached an all-time high of 708,000 – an increase that experts say could exceed available healthcare and housing. And the cost of living continued to soar, with Oregon ranked the sixth-most expensive state in the US by CNBC.

While much of our state’s economy is booming, things aren’t getting easier for the many hardworking Oregonians whose wages have stagnated, or for seniors on fixed incomes. In fact, it turns out that the struggle among ordinary people to make ends meet has only spread. According to a recent study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration,

One in three Oregon households “have difficulty paying utility bills or sustaining adequate heating or cooling in their homes.”

One in five skip or reduce necessities like food and medicine to pay their energy bills.

One in ten keep their homes at an “unhealthy or unsafe temperature” to reduce costs.

These numbers are not only much higher than our previous estimates of one in eight. They also reveal a silent crisis unfolding all around us, in living rooms and kitchens across the state. They reveal that the need for help is greater than ever – and growing every day.

How We Helped

This year, we broadened our scope as never before. We raised over $1.1 million to support our mission, focusing in particular on local community funding. We formed partnerships with several new organizations to ensure our funds reach as many people as possible, including Meals on Wheels People (MoWP), EDP Renewables, and Portland’s Latino Network. Across the board, we helped around 9% more Oregonians than in 2017, and laid the groundwork to raise that number even higher in 2019.

We declared 2018 “The Year of the Senior” and developed innovative programs to support Oregon’s growing population of senior citizens. A groundbreaking collaboration with MoWP, set to launch in 2019, will provide seniors with a monthly discount to prevent them from falling behind on utility costs, and even allow them to sign up in the comfort of their own homes. We also announced plans to double our Jackson County Senior Fund, ensuring that residents in rural regions can access the resources they need to get back on their feet.

As we look ahead to our 30th anniversary next year, we will continue to think outside the box to help those in need. We intend to increase funding by 20% in the coming year, as well as cultivate relationships with local businesses, foundations, and sponsors. We face huge challenges, no doubt. But these programs are changing lives. And if we pull together, we can use all of our resources to keep our neighbors warm, dry, and safe.

Brian Allbritton, Executive Director

Oregon Energy Fund leadership traveled to the City of Arlington last month for the launch of our new PowerUp Program. The program is sponsored by EDP Renewables (EDPR) and creates a fund of $5,000 for Arlington residents who have suffered a layoff, accident, illness, or other financial emergency and need help paying their utility bills.

The PowerUp Program is a culmination of OEF’s pledge to focus on local funding this year, especially in Oregon’s rural areas. Our Jackson County Senior Fund, highlighted in the fall newsletter, is another example.

Arlington is tucked into the golden hills that line the eastern Columbia River, about 50 miles east of The Dalles The community is home to Rattlesnake Road Wind Farm, which spans 8,500 acres of private ranchland and is owned and operated by EDPR. By joining with OEF to sponsor the PowerUp Program, EDPR is diverting locally-generated revenue back into the community to support local residents in financial crisis.

A press conference was held on November 15 in the city’s new Gronquist Building, during which EDPR External Communications Associate Bevan Augustine presented OEF Executive Director Brian Allbritton with a $5,000 check. Numerous local officials and community members were in attendance, including Port Manager Peter Mitchell and City Recorder Pam Rosenbalm.

“This new collaboration with EDPR adds to our historic funding in Gilliam County and opens the door to new ways to fund communities in need,” Allbritton said. “The PowerUp program is an innovative concept of partnering with local businesses to provide greater service and support to their community. In turn, this allows our partners to ensure that the towns where they operate and the people who live there will continue to thrive.”

Arlington-area residents who are interested in applying for help should consult OEF’s website to find their local agency.

We encourage businesses or donors who are interested in supporting energy assistance programs in their community to contact us at info@oregonenergyfund.org or 971-386-2124.