The Deborah Ann Angel Fund
Providing grants to small businesses in the Columbia Gorge that we rely on every day.
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 Application is Open
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:
Between $100,000 and $1 million in gross annual revenue;
Local business that has initiatives in place that support underserved parts of our community;
Has been in business for a year or more with an active EIN and in good standing with the secretary of state;
Headquarters in one of these counties: Klickitat, Skamania, Sherman, Hood River and Wasco.
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. This round of grant applications will be accepted until April 6th. We will award three grants.