About Portland Women's Foundation

In 1887, wives of prominent businessmen founded the Portland Women’s Union to “uphold the ideals of American womanhood” and provide residence, counsel and assistance to young women arriving in the rough and tumble frontier village on the banks of the Willamette.

In 1983, the Portland Women's Union sold its real estate and established a charitable foundation to endow social service agencies to help women achieve self-sufficiency. The Union changed its name to the Portland Women's Foundation.

The Portland Women's Union/Foundation history has unfolded with that of Portland - from Stumptown’s colorful beginnings to the diverse metropolitan city of today – and our mission has evolved to meet the changing needs of women.

Much has changed over the ensuing years. Our commitment to women has not.

We are honored to support the important work and positive change each of the agencies we fund does on behalf of women in metropolitan Portland.