The Deborah Ann Angel Fund

Providing grants to small businesses in the Columbia Gorge that we rely on every day.

The Deborah Ann Angel Fund of the Columbia Gorge

Deborah Ann has invested in countless small businesses in our community, including Beset, for decades. Her support is critical to the social impact work we do. It is an honor to name the fund after her. She is a true angel investor.

How did this fund come about? Over a weekend when my hope was being shaken I reached out to her and Jessica Metta to see if, together, we could launch a grant program. We all agreed that it feels more important than ever to offer financial support to our local family owned small businesses who are doing good in our community.

Within a week and a half we were able to deposit Deborah’s generous contribution and establish the fund through the Four Rivers Community Corporation. Before the end of March we will begin to do more fundraising and open up the application process for our first three grants. What a joy this this adventure has already been and we’re just getting started.

  • Briea O’Duinn

We hope to award $75,000 in grants in 2025 with the average grant award between $5,000 and $10,000. We have raised $35,000 and are accepting donations.

Grant Applications

In partnership with the Four Rivers Community Corporation and Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Beset is accepting applications for grants from the Deborah Ann Angel Fund.  This grant is for small businesses based in the Columbia Gorge that we rely on every day—supporting those who make our community stronger, kinder, and better for everyone.

The Deborah Ann Angel Fund was established in March of 2025 by Briea O’Duinn and Deborah Nelson, who are the partners at Beset, to support the small businesses in our local community that we rely on every day and, in addition to the important services they provide, are also actively engaged in our community providing a social impact.

Applicant Requirements:

  • A local small business with headquarters in one of these counties: Klickitat, Skamania, Sherman, Hood River and Wasco;

  • Between $80,000 and $1 million in gross annual revenue;

  • Has been in business for a year or more with an active EIN and in good standing with the secretary of state; and,

  • Has initiatives in place that support underserved parts of our community and/or initiatives that celebrate the diversity in our community and practices that demonstrate a commitment to equity.

Grant recipients will be expected to provide an update on the impact of the grant within a year of receiving the funds.  This could be in the form of sharing an update through the organization’s newsletter or a partner newsletter (e.g., Beset’s ‘Blinders Off’), speaking at an event or posting an update on their website.

If this opportunity sounds like a fit for your business, please apply below. Our volunteer Fund Management Committee will review and award grants on a quarterly basis. The next round of grant applications will be accepted from July 1st to July 30th. We will award three grants.

Step 1: Complete the online application form

Step 2: Complete an interview on zoom

Those who meet the minimum requirements will be contacted to schedule a Zoom interview, guided by the questions below.

  • Tell us about the team (or person!) leading the business. Please include any advisors that are involved in guiding the business direction.

  • Please provide a description of what you’d like to do with the grant funds if awarded. Include the size of the grant you’re requesting, an estimated budget for where the grant funds would be deployed within your business and what you hope the impact of the grant funds will be.

  • Please expand on how this business improves the quality of life locally through community engagement, volunteerism, mentorship, environmental efforts, education or other social programs. If possible, please include data, examples or stories to illustrate the community impact.

  • How do your business owners and business practices demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity and supporting equity in our local community?

  • When you think about the future and the challenges our community is likely to face, what do you see as the top risks to your business? What are you doing to ensure business longevity with these challenges and risks in mind? What forms of support (e.g, education, advising, peer-groups, financial) do you utilize, or are planning to utilize?

  • Tell us about your target demographic and describe the competitive landscape. What makes your offering different from other similar businesses?