Frequently Asked Questions
About the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation
Founded in 1981, the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation (dba Oregon Wildlife Foundation
abbr. OWF) is a policy-neutral operating charitable foundation based in Portland, Oregon.
About OWF
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An operating charitable Foundation spends most of its income on programs that address its mission. It operates like every other public charity, drawing on multiple types of support to underwrite expenses.
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In the case of Oregon Wildlife Foundation, policy-neutral means we don’t take positions regarding how our fish and wildlife resources are managed. OWF supports existing policy and doesn’t lobby or attempt to influence public officials to make changes in policies governing the management of our natural resources.
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Yes. OWF is a proponent of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation whose principles include that “every person has an equal opportunity under the law to participate in hunting and fishing.” Go here for more information about the seven interdependent principles that underlie the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
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OWF has been an ODFW partner since our founding in 1981. We are not the department's philanthropic arm, but we work closely with them on initiatives and projects that support wildlife conservation in Oregon. Click here to learn more about the variety of projects that OWF and ODFW have worked on together over the years.
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Our principal aim is to ensure that scientifically sound wildlife conservation projects don’t go unfunded because the State of Oregon may not have sufficient resources. OWF has private capital and the ability to rally additional public funding support to help ensure that priority projects are implemented.
Over the years, OWF has developed programs to support wildlife and habitat conservation in Oregon. These include small grants, fiscal sponsorship, capital campaigns, and most recently, land conservation and stewardship. OWF also owns and operates retail gift stores in the Columbia River Gorge at Bonneville Fish Hatchery and in downtown Hood River. Proceeds from the sales at our stores support our work. Learn more about our retail store program, Spruce Gifts & Provisions, by visiting this page on our website.
Donations/Donating
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Giving to the Oregon Wildlife Foundation enables us to expediently implement and advance conservation projects in the state of Oregon. With strong relationships with project partners, access to reputable and established conservation institutions, a large knowledge base, ready access to capital, and an efficient deployment of resources, your gift can go to work now and make a meaningful impact for the wildlife and wildlife habitats of Oregon. There are many uncommon conservation ventures that OWF initiates and supports annually in Oregon and we have many unique stories to share with our statewide community. From frog underpasses to wildlife overpasses, we do things that people don’t even know are possible.
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Use the Donate Button at the top right of any page on our website to donate online. Or text OWF to 44-321.
Gifts by Check can be mailed to:
Oregon Wildlife Foundation
2337 NW York St #201c
Portland, OR 97210
Donate via your Donor Advised Fund (DAF).
Become a Member: Be a part of the community that helps to support and sustain conservation in Oregon. OWF members receive special invitations and receive additional benefits from OWF partners. For details and how to become a member, visit the Membership page.
For Gifts of Stock: contact our Development Manager, Rebecca Roberts, at rebecca@myowf.org for donation instructions.
Schwab Charitable: Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation (dba Oregon Wildlife Foundation) is a registered charity making giving easy if you hold a Schwab Charitable DAF. You can give easily through your Schwab charitable account.
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Contributions to OWF are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. OWF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and our tax ID is 93-0797904.
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Yes! We are grateful to our supporters who go the extra step to have their contributions to OWF matched. See your employer’s instructions on how you can make an even bigger impact. For a list of companies that match employee gifts or want to find out if your gift can be matched, contact OWF Development Manager, Rebecca Roberts, at rebecca@myowf.org.
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To support one of our sponsored projects, navigate to our Fiscally Sponsorship Page and donate HERE
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Yes! Gifts of appreciated stock are always welcome. For instructions on making a gift of stock, please contact our Development Manager, Rebecca Roberts, at rebecca@myowf.org or 503-255-6059.
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To become a Legacy Donor for OWF, please visit our Planned Giving Page.
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Tim Greseth, Executive Director, tim@myowf.org
Rebecca Roberts, Development Manager, rebecca@myowf.org
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You can donate to any of our projects at our Fiscal Sponsorships page. There, you will see a brief profile for each project and links to their donation page.
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You can donate to any of our projects at our Fiscal Sponsorships page. There, you will see a brief profile for each project and links to their donation page.
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You can donate to any of our projects at our Fiscal Sponsorships page. There, you will see a brief profile for each project and links to their donation page.
Animal Rescue/Injured Wildlife
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Please see the Wildlife Encounters section on our Featured Resources page.
OWF does not work directly with wildlife. If you see an injured or baby animal, the best thing to do is leave it alone - human intervention often makes the situation worse.
For injured birds or small mammals in the greater Portland, Oregon area, you can contact the Portland Audubon Society’s Hotline at 503-292-0304. If you see an animal that is a threat to your safety please contact local law enforcement.
For wildlife issues outside the Portland metropolitan area, please review the information at https://dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/rehabilitation/index.asp to find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area.
