It shouldn’t be hard for folks to thrive in Lane County. It’s a place of beautiful scenery, caring neighbors, and vibrant communities. But many people still struggle to get by.

ALICE Families in Lane County

ALICE stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed. ALICE households are folks who earn too much money to get help from public assistance, but not enough to afford the basics of what they need.

In Lane County, 43% of households live below the ALICE threshold. Almost half of the county has to choose every day between what they need and what they can afford, living just one rent increase or car repair away from crisis.

United Way of Lane County, fueled by thousands of donors, volunteers, and the business community, is taking action to change this.

“Everyone knows, or is, someone living in an ALICE household,” said Alma Fumiko Hesus, President and CEO of United Way of Lane County. “And when ALICE households succeed, everyone benefits: our communities are healthier, our economy stronger, our workforce thrives. Everyone in Lane County deserves safety and security.”

United is the Way

United Way of Lane County is a local nonprofit that brings people and resources together to help local communities, including ALICE families, move from surviving to thriving.

Funds they raise locally are invested in Lane County organizations who serve those most vulnerable, from providing basic needs to creating long-term solutions to big challenges. They bring local leaders together across sectors to identify what people most need, and mobilize the people and resources needed to have an impact.

Children share a meal provided by Boys & Girls Club of Western Lane County, one of many organizations funded by United Way of Lane County.

A few ways United Way impacts Lane County:

  • Currently funding Community Support Grants to 23 local organizations that provide critical services like food, prenatal care, and mental health care.
  • Actively investing in four Community Transformation Grants that encourage collaborative partnerships among local nonprofits, currently tackling issues like domestic violence and food insecurity.
  • Quickly raising and distributing money in times of crisis through a Community Response Fund. In 2020, United Way of Lane County responded to both COVID and the Holiday Farm wildfire; COVID grants included rent assistance, food access, parental support,mental and telehealth services, and more.
  • Identifying the need for more books in the homes of K–2 students and activating partners to host Bookfest where, in 2025, more than 1,600 students at 14 schools in nine school districts got to choose and take home over 8,200 new books.
  • Mobilizing hundreds of volunteers across Lane County, throughout the year and at Days of Caring where, in 2025, over 700 volunteers contributed to 50+ local projects.
Days of Caring volunteers clean up a playground at Family Relief Nursery in Cottage Grove.

Make a Gift to United Way of Lane County Today

While many of the challenges impacting Lane County communities stem from circumstances beyond our control, there’s a lot we can do, together, to help improve people’s lives.

“When you see the work up close, you can’t help but want to be part of it,” shared Megan Shultz with 15th Night and a United Way board member. “I give to United Way because I know the difference it makes—and I see the results in the lives of real people right here in our community.”

Make a difference for local children, families, and communities and join our community-led efforts at unitedwaylane.org/donate. Because a gift to United Way is an investment in Lane County.