GoWest Awards 2025: Spotlight on Community Impact Finalists

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on August 27, 2025

We are just eight weeks away from the MAXX 2025 Awards Dinner and Gala! On Oct. 16 at the Hyatt Regency in Portland, we will be celebrating the awards finalists, credit unions that have made tremendous impacts on their members, employees, and communities.

The GoWest Awards recognize excellence in eight categories, featuring both individual leaders and innovative credit union initiatives: Employee Experience, Member Program, Community Impact, Cooperation in Action, Young Professional, Distinguished Director, Summit Advocate, and Summit Icon.

This week, we are proud to highlight the finalists in the Community Impact category. This award honors a credit union that has embraced social responsibility through lending programs, charitable giving, multicultural services, or other initiatives that improve financial well-being in the communities they serve.

Congratulations to the finalists in the Community Impact category!

Colorado Credit Union, Colorado

EmpowerHER graduates

In 2025, Colorado Credit Union launched the EmpowerHER Financial Literacy Program, a targeted initiative designed to support women served by Dress for Success Denver (DFSD). DFSD is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting economic independence for disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a supportive network, and career development resources. Since its founding, DFSD has helped over 20,000 women secure employment and achieve self-sufficiency.

The EmpowerHER program curriculum focuses on essential personal finance fundamentals, including budgeting and credit management, facilitated by Colorado Credit Union staff through a series of in-person workshops. The program’s goal is to help women establish, build, or repair their credit — critical steps toward financial stability and independence. Upon completion, participants are eligible to join Colorado Credit Union as members and receive a funded $500 secured credit card. This practical tool allows participants to apply the knowledge gained immediately and begin building or repairing their credit history.

STCU, Washington

Since November 2023, STCU has hosted 97 FAFSA assistance events in 18 branches, supporting 141 students and families who reside in Washington and North Idaho. Staff helped high school students, adults heading back to school, and parents wishing to start their own educational journey.

In 2025, they launched a pilot for a new appointment-based model at four branches, offering personalized, one-on-one FAFSA support. This flexible approach allows students to schedule sessions at their convenience through STCU’s new lobby management system, removing time and access barriers for those seeking assistance. In 2024, both Washington and Idaho saw a mid-year increase of at least 7 percentage points in FAFSA completions, helping more people in their communities afford higher education.

Verity Credit Union, Washington

Aspire Growth, one of Verity Credit Union’s Microgrant recipients

Launched in 2017, Verity Credit Union’s Microgrant Program delivers unrestricted funding to nonprofit organizations whose work benefits historically underserved communities across Washington.

Verity’s Microgrant Program creates a profound impact on the local community while furthering the organization’s mission as a CDFI. To date, the Microgrant Program has provided more than $202,000 in unrestricted funding to 68 grassroots organizations in Washington. In Fall 2024 alone, Verity received over 100 applications, underscoring the growing need for flexible, trust-based support.

Further, in 2024, Verity announced funding support for four affordable housing projects in the Puget Sound region, reinforcing its commitment to expanding homeownership opportunities. Among them is a 68-unit limited equity cooperative, U-Lex, in Seattle’s Othello neighborhood, developed in partnership with HomeSight, a local nonprofit, through Verity’s new Co-Op loan program at Othello Square. This affordable housing community offers stability, connection, and an opportunity to thrive. Verity is also supporting Corvidae Co-op in Beacon Hill, further advancing its mission to promote long-term housing security. Projects like Othello Square and Corvidae Co-op not only help families access stable housing today but also preserve affordability for future generations.

Winners in all categories will be announced at the GoWest Awards Dinner & Gala on Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Hyatt Regency Portland.

Register for MAXX 2025 today and get ready to celebrate!

Posted in Community Impact, Events, MAXX, Top Headlines.