Community & Equity Advisory Group

Energy equity requires expanding access and removing barriers for underserved and overburdened customers. From a place of listening and learning, the Community and Equity Advisory Group (CEAG) is intended to seek out and elevate historically underrepresented voices, perspectives and lived experiences to NW Natural’s energy and operational planning. Through this deeper community engagement, NW Natural will be positioned to uncover and understand barriers to equitable participation, and, in turn, formulate strategies to address those barriers and center equity in our work. Deliverables may include drafting recommendations or guidelines for engaging diverse stakeholders, providing concrete feedback and review, and coordinating with other working groups to evaluate recommended strategies for improving energy equity.

Send us an email for more information

CEAG charter - operating guidelines

Estatuto/pautas operativas del Grupo Asesor sobre Comunidad y Equidad (CEAG)

About NW Natural caring initiatives

• Shareholders contribute nearly $1 million to local nonprofits each year.
• We support 150+ community and nonprofit groups in the fields of youth and family resiliency, environmental stewardship, health and human services, and arts and culture.
• In 2020, we initiated a special COVID-19 employee giving campaign for local nonprofits providing COVID-related services, and supported communities affected by the wildfires in our region through our corporate philanthropy fund.
• Through two giving campaigns, along with a 100% company match, our employees and retirees contributed $350,000 to local charities.

See the 2023-2025 NW Natural Programs of Focus below. These multi-year commitments, totaling $420,000 and including in-kind resources and employee volunteer support, represent our highest level of philanthropic support as part of the longstanding NW Natural Programs of Focus tradition.

See our corporate giving values and guiding principles below and to request funding for your nonprofit.

We can help customers pay energy bills

Oregon income-qualified bill discount program
NW Natural’s Bill Discount Program can save customers 15% to 40% on their monthly NW Natural bills. Discounts are available if one's household income is less than 60% of Oregon state median income. There is one simple application to fill out. No proof of income is required to apply. And the application only takes a few minutes to complete online, by email or traditional mail, or over the phone.

Learn more about the Oregon Bill Discount Program

Energy-assistance programs
We offer several payment-assistance options, including Oregon and Washington programs for customers with limited or fixed incomes who need continued assistance paying home energy bills.

Learn more about energy-assistance programs

Free weatherization services

We partner with local Community Action Agencies to provide income-qualifying customers with free home energy improvements. Free improvements can include a new high-efficiency natural gas furnace and water heater, sealing of air leaks, and home insulation and more.

See Community Action Agencies and customer eligibility

Helping to pay heating bills for 41 years!

Since 1982, GAP has raised more than $6.6 million to help pay gas-heating bills for families and senior citizens in need. GAP is funded by shareholders, employees, retirees and customers. Funds are distributed to customers via Community Action Networks.

Join us to keep the heat on for others

Mail a check to:
c/o United Way of the Columbia Willamette
Gas Assistance Program
PO Box 35143 #4406
Seattle, WA 98124-5143

Donate online

Adelante Mujeres

Adelante Mujeres provides holistic education and empowerment opportunities to marginalized Latina women and families to ensure full participation and active leadership in the community. They envision a community where all families thrive.

Asian Health & Service Center

Asian Health & Service Center is working to be the bridge between Asian and American cultures and build a harmonious community. Their vision is to reduce health inequity and improve health care quality for all Asians. 

Growing Gardens

Growing Gardens uses the experience of growing food in schools, backyards and correctional facilities to cultivate healthy, equitable communities. Their vision is for everyone to have equal access to healthy food and to be stewardesses of our own communities through sharing of resources, educating each other, and learning new skills.

Store to Door

Store to Door supports independent living for Portland area homebound seniors and adults living with disabilities by providing social and community connection, food access, and food security through a volunteer-based grocery delivery program. They envision a community where all seniors and people living with disabilities are nourished, included, and can age with dignity in the setting of their own choice.