The Gorge Community Foundation is looking to expand its presence in the eastern part of the region. The non-profit organization has its roots in the Hood River area, building permanent charitable endowments to help fund long-term needs in the region and representing over 70 funds established by local families, individuals and organizations. Foundation executive director Dan Spatz says most of those funds are in the Hood River area, and the Foundation hopes to increase its efforts elsewhere in the Mid-Columbia. Spatz says the biggest task in all likelihood is to create more awareness of the Foundation, which was established in 2000. The Gorge Community Foundation’s website is gorgecf.org.