OnPoint Community Credit Union Awards FinAbility $100K for Financial Education for Domestic Abuse Survivors

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on November 8, 2024

OnPoint Community Credit Union announced on Oct. 30 a $100,000 award to FinAbility, a Portland nonprofit providing financial education to survivors of domestic abuse. FinAbility received the donation from OnPoint as part of the second annual OnPoint Award for Financial Education Innovation. OnPoint began the annual award program in 2023 to recognize organizations in Oregon and Southwest Washington that have substantial and long-term impacts on building financial wellness in our communities.

“Imagine trying to leave an abusive relationship with less than $250 to your name,” said Stacy Sawin, Founder and Executive Director of FinAbility. “For hundreds of thousands of Oregonians, this is a devastating reality. Financial insecurity is a primary reason why survivors of domestic violence remain in or return to abusive relationships. This award will enable us to accelerate survivors’ journey to self-sufficiency and autonomy, enabling them to build a life free from violence.”

Twenty-five percent of women and 14% of men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, according to the Allstate Foundation. Financial freedom is key to helping them break free. This funding will help FinAbility hire a Program Officer to expand the nonprofit’s free, one-on-one financial mentoring program to continue helping survivors live free from domestic abuse.

Expanding access to financial education for survivors of domestic violence

OnPoint has supported FinAbility since its inception, when the manager of OnPoint’s Hollywood branch, Hannah Lewis, connected with Sawin in 2021 and became an advisor. Since then, OnPoint has been a presenting sponsor for FinAbility’s Speak Out event, helped produce training videos for financial mentors, and provided more than $20,000 in donations. These efforts have helped FinAbility expand its one-on-one financial mentorship program for survivors, increase its discoverability online, and hire a full-time CEO.

“FinAbility’s innovative, trauma-informed approach is helping survivors transform their lives and build a secure future,” said Vincent Pollard, Financial Wellness Manager, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “We couldn’t be happier to support their mission and help expand these vital resources in our community.”

FinAbility provides trauma-informed financial support and one-on-one financial mentoring for survivors of domestic abuse. Its staff has expertise in tech and finance and builds digital tools that make financial education and resources accessible to survivors.

About the OnPoint Award for Financial Education Innovation

OnPoint’s Financial Wellness team works with organizations like FinAbility to deliver financial education in community-based settings. OnPoint invites select organizations to apply for the award. A committee of OnPoint employees evaluates the organizations’ applications for rigor and selects a winner based on community impact and innovation.

Portland Workforce Alliance (PWA) was the award’s inaugural recipient for its innovative approach to integrating financial education into career readiness programs. For more information about the OnPoint Financial Education award, visit https://www.onpointcu.com/financial-education/financial-education-innovation-award/.

Posted in Oregon, Regional Member News, Washington.