Umpqua Pledges $1 Million In Community Support
Now is the time for all of us to step up
The speed with which the coronavirus outbreak has uprooted our lives, disrupted our rhythms and shifted our priorities is unsettling. But the more we’re reminded of how important it is to keep our distance, the more we come to understand that none of us is alone in this battle.
For nearly 70 years, Umpqua Bank has been rising to the occasion and supporting our communities in times of need. Now more than ever, we’re working closely with our community partners to determine the best way to allocate resources, fund projects and protect our customers.
To that end, we wanted you to know the immediate steps we’re taking to help our communities in this time of need.
Umpqua Believes in the Power of Collective Impact
We are expediting donations to several COVID-19 Response Funds focused on meeting the needs of low-income and culturally-diverse residents and workers across our footprint. From food to rent money, our dollars will be used to help ensure people do not go without during the coming months. Some of these donations include:
- Seattle Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund
- Innovia Foundation’s COVID-19 Community Response Fund
- Social Justice Fund NW’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund
- United Way of California’s COVID-19 Relief Fund
- Latino Community Foundation’s Love Not Fear Fund
- Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization – IRCO’s COVID-19 Together
- Oregon Community Foundation’s Oregon COVID-19 Recovery Pooled Fund
Micro Loans and Capital
Some of the hardest hit by the pandemic are small businesses and their employees. We want to do everything we can to help these small businesses weather the storm. That’s why we’re making investments in nonprofit organizations providing micro loans and capital to small businesses across our communities. Some of those organizations include:
- Ventures
- City of Seattle Small Business Stabilization Fund
- Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO)
- Oregon Native American Chamber
- Opportunity Fund
- Rural Communities Assistance Corporation (RCAC)
Additionally, we’ve joined the City of Portland, Prosper Portland, the Portland Business Alliance and other members of the Oregon Bankers Association to establish the Portland Small Business Relief Fund. As the lead financial institution, our contribution includes a $750,000 investment to provide struggling small businesses in Portland and across Oregon with immediate capital to help them get through this difficult time.
Community Grants
Now is a great time for organizations in need to apply for a grant. Our job is to make the process as seamless as possible. To that end, we have expanded eligibility for our Community Grants program to offer stability and support for nonprofit organizations across our footprint. We will give priority to organizations within Umpqua’s focal giving areas of educational attainment and economic opportunity that have lost fundraising revenue or are experiencing increased service demand and/or reduction in paid and volunteer staffing due to COVID-19. For more information and to apply for a grant, visit www.umpquabank.com/community.
Associate Giving Match Program
Umpqua associates are known for their generosity and their willingness to roll up their sleeves and play an active role in our communities. From raising money for medical needs to assisting local non-profits, many of our associates have already begun helping with various relief efforts. To honor and amplify their commitment, we are increasing our match program from a 100% match to a 300% match for select nonprofits. For associates who are in the position to give generously, turning every eligible $25 donation they make into $100 for the community can go a long way to help more people in their time of need.
We’re Here To Help
As the crisis unfolds in the coming weeks and months, we’ll be unveiling more programs and initiatives to help our customers and our communities stay strong and healthy. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call us at (866) 486-7782 Monday through Friday, 8am-6pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 5pm.