Friends of Willamette Week

Mission

Willamette Week provides Portlanders (and readers beyond) with an independent understanding of how their worlds work so they can make a difference. In doing so, WW’s mission is to make Portland a better place in which to live, work, and play. Friends of Willamette Week are readers who support independent local journalism.

Bottom Line for Portland

This fall marks WW’s 50th anniversary. Since 1974, WW has been investigating, reporting and uplifting all things Portland. Our journalism has driven corrupt, dangerous politicians out of power, sparked policy changes that have improved the lives of Portlanders, and shed light on small businesses, changemakers and culture. 

FOWW empowers WW to do this in a financial climate where free independent local journalism is becoming extinct.

→ Please note: FOWW isn't a nonprofit organization. If you would like to support our journalism and make a tax-deductible contribution, you can do so through our relationship with the Tides Foundation (designated to the "Journalism Fund for WW").

Quote

“Nigel Jaquiss’ ‘Free Fall’ article shared our family’s struggles to find the resources our son needed after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a climbing accident. It caught the eye of many and helped draw attention to the need for inpatient rehab and other services and supports which are woefully lacking in our community.

In response to WW’s story, and with the hard work of many brain injury survivors, loved ones, advocates and supporting organizations, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 420 last summer.” —Kathryn Nichols 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Willamette Week is committed to fostering and advancing an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment—not only in the people we hire but also in the journalism we publish and the Portlanders and organizations we work with.

Incentives

Give $10 or more and get a temporary tattoo so rad folks will think it’s real. 

Give $150 or more and get a hat with a limited edition WW graphic.

Give $500 or more and get a copy of 50 Willamette Week Covers That Shaped Portland, 1974-2024, our limited-edition book of WW covers published in honor of our 50th anniversary.

Give $500 or more and be entered to win a full-year membership to Lloyd Athletic Club, voted Best Gym six years in a row by WW’s Best of Portland Readers’ Poll.

The first $30,000 raised will be matched by some of WW's biggest donors!

Partner(s)

Our nonprofit partners share our commitment to journalism, democracy, literacy and writing, media, and an informed community. We encourage our supporters to check out Literary Arts, Oregon Humanities, Our Just Future, SMART Reading, Street Roots, and XRAY.fm.

We’re also partnering with Lloyd Athletic Club for our donor goodie. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a full-year membership to the best gym in PDX.