Unitus Community Credit Union Celebrates a Record $744,866 in Community Giving in 2024

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on December 17, 2024

Unitus Community Credit Union, which serves 15 counties in Oregon and the entire state of Washington, reached a record $744,866 in community contributions in 2024, supporting nonprofits addressing critical needs, including Clackamas Service Center, Schoolhouse Supplies, and Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO). The credit union’s giving included 11 Community Impact Grants, ranging from $25,000 to $42,000, to Oregon Human Development Corporation (OHDC), Bienestar, Latino Network, AWARE Food Bank, Western Oregon University Foundation, Business Impact NW, Wetlands Conservancy, WorldOregon, IRCO, Worldwide Foundation of Credit Unions, and GoWest Foundation for Urban League of Portland.

Unitus leveraged a 3:1 match from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines for its $25,000 grant to Business Impact NW, creating a $100,000 total contribution. This support bolstered programs aiding underbanked entrepreneurs. “This extraordinary support amplifies our impact across the community,” said Joe Sky-Tucker, President and CEO of Business Impact Northwest.

The match also increased funding for Community Vision, a nonprofit focused on affordable housing for people with disabilities. “Unitus’ partnership ensures we can address housing disparities for people with disabilities,” said Jill Cabral Schinn, Strategic Partnerships Director at Community Vision. “We are thankful to have Unitus as a partner in the pursuit of equitable access to affordable housing.”

Unitus finished up the year with a holiday drive supporting SnowCap Community Charities, Path Home, and Rose Haven. Employees received $25 to donate to the drive, with many volunteering for activities like SnowCap’s Winter Care Packages program. “Unitus’ funding and volunteer support allowed us to assemble and distribute hygiene and household items, bringing holiday cheer to those in need,” said Nate Larsen, Volunteer Coordinator at SnowCap. “We even managed to sneak in a few fun holiday extras to help brighten the spirits of everyone receiving the care packages this winter!”

Contributions to Path Home helped families open fee-free bank accounts. “Path Home supports families from crisis to stability through a variety of programs including homeless prevention, Family Village shelter, rapid re-housing, long-term housing retention, and a cash transfer program,” said Brandi Tuck, Executive Director of Path Home. “Unitus set up bank accounts for all the families in the cash transfer program so Path Home can direct deposit the cash assistance to each of the families. They waived all the background and credit checks, covered all the fees to open the accounts, and made it super easy for families to get a bank account. Some of these families hadn’t ever had a bank account, so this was a big deal!”

In 2024, Unitus directed over 60% of its giving to DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) focused organizations, doubling its contributions since 2023. It plans to continue its Community Impact Grants and annual giving into 2025 and beyond, further strengthening its commitment to the communities the credit union serves.

Posted in Community Impact, Oregon, Regional Member News, Washington.