Empowering Nonprofits With Unclaimed Funds

Nonprofits play a crucial role in Oregon's social fabric, serving as sources of hope and drivers of positive change. From providing community health education and back-to-school supplies to students, or financial assistance and temporary housing, nonprofits make a difference in our state every day.

National Nonprofit Day, held annually on August 17, offers a day to recognize these organizations that give so much. To celebrate, Treasury's Unclaimed Property Program launched an initiative urging nonprofit organizations across Oregon to search for and claim any unclaimed property that might belong to them.

Leading up to National Nonprofit Day last week, Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read visited the Oregon Food Bank to hand-deliver their unclaimed funds to them, highlighting the impact of this initiative. During the visit, he presented the organization with a check for $11,527 after they successfully claimed their unclaimed funds. These reclaimed resources will bolster the Oregon Food Bank's mission to combat food insecurity and ensure that essential support reaches those who need it most.

"Every dollar returned to a nonprofit is a dollar that can support the organization's mission and essential work they perform in our communities," Treasurer Read said following the presentation. "We're committed to reconnecting nonprofits with these valuable resources that rightfully belong to them."

Over $1 billion in unclaimed funds are held by the state, waiting to be returned to individuals and organizations, including nonprofits. Many of these organizations might not realize they are entitled to their unclaimed property, which could include forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, and more.

The process to reclaim unclaimed property is straightforward, free, and available entirely online. Nonprofits are encouraged to visit the Treasury's unclaimed property website at unclaimed.oregon.gov to begin their search. The website offers detailed instructions and resources to guide organizations through the claims process. Oregon also participates in the national searchable database missingmoney.com.

Through efforts like these, Oregon State Treasury helps nonprofits access the resources they need to continue their invaluable work in Oregon communities.