Unitus Community Credit Union Named a Top Philanthropic Corporation in the Portland Metro Area

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on November 8, 2024

Unitus Community Credit Union has been named the fifth most philanthropic large corporation in the Portland Metro Area by the Portland Business Journal. The annual corporate philanthropy awards celebrate top companies that display exemplary philanthropic practices and develop an innovative and unique partnership between companies and nonprofits. This is the 14th consecutive year Unitus has received the honor.

“We are grateful to, once again, be recognized for our direct support of community partners who are addressing some of the most significant need,” remarked Steven Stapp, President and CEO of Unitus Community Credit Union. “These partners do the difficult work, and we are honored to help fund initiatives that uplift and empower our communities.”

Unitus is just one of five credit unions to earn recognition in this category for community giving in 2023. With more than $382,000 in cash contributions, including multi-year commitments that support local nonprofits, the credit union has built a legacy of giving. Unitus employees made a difference in 2023, volunteering nearly 1,800 hours.

“We are so proud to earn this award, and we are even more proud of the dedication of our community partners who represent our giving pillars of Inspire, Grow, and Assist,” explained Aimee Berg, Community Development Manager. “We are honored to be in the company of so many credit unions and organizations who are committed to improving lives in the communities we serve.”

Unitus’ giving pillars help direct community development efforts. “Inspire” is the credit union’s commitment to improving educational equity and inspiring students to achieve their maximum potential. “Grow” promotes the growth of communities through economic development initiatives, primarily through the areas of leadership skills, workforce development, small business, and pathways to stable housing or homeownership. “Assist” supports critical human services such as access to healthy food, healthcare, social services, and immediate response recovery efforts for crisis and natural disasters.

The credit union also has three corporate initiatives that are factored into each of the cause pillars: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access; Hispanic Community Empowerment; and Environmental and Sustainability Action.

“Fourteen consecutive years of being recognized as a top philanthropic corporation is a remarkable achievement,” said Stapp. “It’s truly representative of the credit union difference and putting people over profit. I am honored and humbled to lead Unitus and grateful for our members, without whom none of this is possible.”

In 2023, Unitus Community Credit Union’s financial impact included donating $36,100 to organizations working to increase access to healthy food and reducing food scarcity; $56,500 to partners working to provide affordable housing and emergency shelter; $125,770 to BIPOC-led groups focused on racial justice, economic empowerment, and housing; and $275,884 to historically marginalized communities, such as women, foster youth, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2+ organizations.

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