Fibre Federal Credit Union Empowered Communities with $240,000 in Grants

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on February 4, 2025

(L-R) Shelby Stetler, FFCU Financial Services Supervisor; Junia Stephens, Columbia Memorial Foundation Donor Specialist; Mark Kujula, Columbia Memorial Foundation Executive Director; Rebekah Gustin, Columbia Memorial Foundation Specialist; Kari Rempfer, FFCU Community Development Supervisor; and Crystal Garrison, FFCU Marketing & Community Development Manager.

Fibre Federal Credit Union, which serves members in Washington and Oregon, utilized a strategic partnership with Visa to distribute nearly a quarter million dollars in grants to community partners in 2024.

Grant funds supported critical projects at non-profits that provide health, educational, and cultural services across Fibre Federal’s 11-county service area. Many grant recipients were the credit union’s Communities First Program hospital partners and were selected for additional grants because of their wide impact on people of all ages and walks of life. The extra funds will help them provide the best possible services for their patients and communities:

• PeaceHealth St. John Hospital (Cowlitz County): New oncology equipment – $23,000
• Columbia Memorial Hospital (Clatsop County): Expansion of hospital services and technological upgrades – $21,000
• Tillamook Adventist Hospital (Tillamook County): New medical training equipment – $25,000
• Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital (Lincoln County): Expansion of Early Learning Center – $10,000
• Legacy Salmon Creek (Clark County): New mammography machine – $10,000
• Ocean Beach Hospital (Pacific County): New operating room lighting – $4,000
• Arbor Health (Lewis County): New patient room furniture – $10,000
• Harbor Regional Health (Grays Harbor County): General funds allocated to cover operating expenses and patient care shortfalls – $5,000

(L-R) Felina Gonzalez, Emergency Support Shelter Operations Manager; Nuie Ingram, FFCU Graphic Designer; Chelsea Eddington, FFCU Marketing Specialist; Angie Shipman, FFCU SVP Chief Experience Officer; Heather Snyder, FFCU AVP Marketing; and Sarah Hancock, Emergency Support Shelter Executive Director.

Additional partners received funds for upgrades and projects that will improve their services, upgrade equipment, and improve quality of life and quality of space:

• Emergency Support Shelter (Cowlitz County): Outdoor upgrades for staff and children – $40,000
• Woodland Library (Cowlitz County): Children’s area sponsorship – $50,000
• The Broad Strokes Project (Cowlitz County): Outdoor mural at Fibre Federal’s Main Office – $10,000
• The Columbia Theatre (Cowlitz County): Restorations and repairs inside and outside the historic building – $10,000
• G.A.M.E. Winners Facility (Cowlitz County): Innovation tech lab and gym sponsorship – $10,000
• Kelso Soccer Club (Cowlitz County): Two new soccer goals – $5,000
• Lincoln City Parks and Recreation (Lincoln County): Accessible picnic table in Schooner City Park – $7,000

Notably, Fibre Federal secured the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines 3:1 match grant, which transformed the credit union’s $10,000 Visa grant into a $40,000 contribution to the Emergency Support Shelter.

These grants, combined with Fibre Federal’s ongoing Communities First Program, reflect an ongoing commitment to community development, supporting critical services, and improving quality of life across multiple counties.

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