EWEB customers and employees share the love through Energy Share donations
Each year, EWEB helps customers who are struggling to pay their utility bills with more than $1 million in bill assistance through a variety of programs.
EWEB’s Customer Care, Energy Share, and Community Partner Care programs each serve the community in different ways and draw slightly different sources of funding. But all three are meant to help those who need it most.
The EWEB Customer Care Bill Assistance program provides income-eligible customers with an annual $280 bill credit. In 2024 we distributed about $1.3 million in bill assistance to more than 4,500 customers. For 2025, EWEB has budgeted $1.6 million.
Like all other EWEB expenses, this program is funded by customer rates.
However, the need within our community is greater than what EWEB is able to meet on our own. Customers who want to go above and beyond can directly help their neighbors with utility costs by donating to Energy Share. In 2024, EWEB distributed an additional $180,000 from the Energy Share program, which is funded exclusively through customer donations. These contributions help keep the lights and heat on for Eugene families in need!
Over 1,000 customers donated to Energy Share in 2024, contributing approximately $120,000. The City of Eugene also contributes monthly to offset EWEB Customer Care funds that are applied to City Storm and Wastewater charges.
Energy Share donations are also the sole source of funding for our EWEB Community Partner Program, which provides bill credits to local facilities that offer shelter services. Community Partner Care was launched in 2023 to proactively assist organizations that are on the front lines of providing safe housing for those experiencing homelessness or extended outages due to severe weather events. Over the last two years EWEB has provided nearly $24,000 in bill credits to local organizations.
EWEB’s employee engagement team, SPARK, encourages employees to donate to Energy Share by planning several events each year, including an annual Valentine’s Day bake sale. “Planning employee activities that focus on giving back is a way to engage with our collueages that seems to create a positive focus,” says Gretchen Lowen, the Spark Team leader. “It boosts morale and fosters a feeling of common cause. It is also fun!”
Last year EWEB staff raised over $2,300 over the course of the year in Energy Share donations. This year, the SPARK team is planning an employee bake sale, plant sale, and a Cinco de Mayo event to kick of EWEB’s employee giving campaign.
Proceeds from the annual Run to Stay Warm also benefit Energy Share. Now in its 18th year, runners of all ages have come together every November to raise money to support members of our community who need a little help paying their utility bills. While EWEB initially launched this community event in 2007, we’ve been partnering with Eugene Marathon for several years as the official race operator. Every year a portion of the proceeds from registration fees goes towards Energy Share. In 2024 over $6,000 were notated to the program. It was the highest participation number ever, with all distances selling out nearly three weeks before race day.
Support your community by becoming an Energy Share donor
Donating to Energy Share has never been easier. If you’re interested in helping local families currently experiencing financial hardship, you can easily make a one-time donation or setup a recurring donation with your regular monthly utility bill.
- Recurring: set up a recurring donation to be added to your monthly EWEB bill
- One-time: when making a payment, add an optional one-time donation
Donate with a check: Make a one-time donation by mailing a check to EWEB Energy Share Donate, 4200 Roosevelt Blvd, Eugene OR 97402
Donations may be tax-deductible in accordance with IRC 170(c); consult with your tax advisor. EWEB will send a year-end letter/receipt to donors in January. This letter indicates the donation amount along with our tax ID number for your records. This means you can donate several times throughout the year or establish recurring donations and not worry about saving receipts.
Learn more about the Energy Share and Community Partner Care programs and how you can get involved at eweb.org/bill-assistance.
Related Programs
Donate to Energy Share
Consider making a donation to Energy Share, a program helping thousands of families with their electric bills.
Bill assistance
We offer a variety of income-based programs. You may qualify for bill assistance and expanded rebates or loans for efficiency upgrades.
Budget billing
Our Budget Billing program helps you balance the seasonal highs and lows to make your payments predictable each month.
