Turning Ideas into Impact Through GoWest Foundation Grant Funding

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on April 15, 2026

In March, credit unions from across the region joined the GoWest Foundation team for an in-depth look at funding opportunities designed to strengthen communities and expand access to financial services.

The webinar, Grow with GoWest Foundation: Recent Grant Awards & Current Funding Paths, highlighted grant opportunities supporting projects focused on workforce housing, rural access to financial services, and small business development.

Attendees were walked through the application process, explored funding pathways, and — most importantly — heard directly from peers who are already putting grant dollars to work.

Real Projects. Real Impact.

Several credit union leaders shared how Foundation grants are fueling meaningful change:

Chelsia Neto, Connections Credit Union, discussed a $45,000 rural access project grant that helped deploy a mobile banking unit to better serve rural communities throughout Idaho — bringing financial services directly to areas where access is limited.
Brian Rohrbacher, Grand Altitude Federal Credit Union, highlighted a $20,000 workforce housing planning grant supporting efforts to develop workforce housing solutions in Lander, Wyoming — an issue impacting recruitment, retention, and long-term community vitality.
Leslie Shepard, SunWest Credit Union, spoke about a $20,000 Small Business Project Grant that is funding critical staff capacity to successfully launch and sustain small business lending initiatives.
Dan Thurman, Frontier Credit Union, shared insights on a current collaborative housing project currently underway in East Idaho. Frontier is partnering with Connections Credit Union, ICCU, and Westmark Credit Union to expand impact through cooperation and shared vision.

Together, these stories illustrated the flexibility and reach of GoWest Foundation funding — from planning and capacity-building to full implementation and multi-credit-union collaboration.

Flexible Funding, Designed for Credit Unions

The GoWest Foundation offers:

Planning grants up to $20,000
Implementation grants up to $100,000
Larger awards for collaborative projects, depending on scope and impact

Grants are available year-round with a straightforward and supportive application process, making it easier for credit unions to apply when timing aligns with strategic initiatives. The Foundation’s three key focus areas — workforce housing, rural access to financial services, and small business support — are intentionally designed to spark innovation and partnerships that create lasting community impact. Grant reporting is streamlined and designed to convey the metrics credit unions are prioritizing.

Tools to Help You Get Started

Credit unions exploring funding opportunities have access to several helpful resources, including:

A Grants Overview document with a high-level look at eligible projects
In-depth Workforce Housing and Rural Access to Financial Services overviews featuring grant award funded examples from peer credit unions
Comprehensive grant guidelines available on the Foundation website outlining eligibility, requirements, and key considerations

Now is the perfect time to explore how GoWest Foundation funding could help bring your next community-focused initiative to life.

Interested in learning more or starting a conversation about your project idea? The GoWest Foundation team is ready to help you take the next step.

Posted in Community Impact, GoWest Foundation, Top Headlines.