Changing Lives, Strengthening Communities: GoWest Awards 2026 Community Impact Finalists

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on August 13, 2026

With MAXX only eight weeks away, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the outstanding credit unions selected as finalists for the 2026 GoWest Awards. On Oct. 9 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Denver, we’ll celebrate their achievements and the positive impact they’re making across the region.

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

We are proud to highlight the finalists for the Community Impact Award Presented by the GoWest Foundation. 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!

SELCO Community Credit Union, Oregon – SELCO Steps Up

In 2024, SELCO launched SELCO Steps Up, a comprehensive, community-driven approach to giving that embeds social responsibility across the organization. Rather than centralizing funding decisions, SELCO created a statewide network of more than 25 employee Ambassadors who work directly with educators, nonprofit leaders, and community members to identify local needs and opportunities. This grassroots model ensures support is timely, relevant, and shaped by the people it is designed to serve.

Through SELCO Steps Up, the credit union invests in education, student success, nonprofit partnerships, and employee engagement. Expanded educator grants, classroom makeovers, and broadened scholarship eligibility support learners at every stage, while flexible nonprofit funding addresses pressing community needs, including a landmark grant for affordable housing development in Eugene, Ore. Employees are empowered to make a difference through paid volunteer time, donation matching, and leadership opportunities as Ambassadors.

The program’s impact has been both broad and measurable. In its first year, in addition to SELCO’s monetary investments in Oregon communities, educators, classroom transformations, and scholarships, employees’ volunteer hours increased 35%, surpassing 1,400 hours. By combining local decision-making, employee involvement, and transparent reporting, SELCO Steps Up has created a model for sustainable, community-led impact.

TAPCO Credit Union, Washington – Biz Kid$ Experience at Hilltop Heritage

TAPCO Credit Union’s community impact strategy is built on ongoing, relevant engagement rather than one-time financial education events. That approach emerged after a workshop with middle school students revealed that young people connected most deeply with lessons tied to real-life financial decisions, such as opening an account, purchasing a car, managing expenses, and understanding credit. The experience reshaped TAPCO’s philosophy, leading the credit union to focus on helping individuals build confidence and make informed financial decisions over time.

That philosophy came to life through TAPCO’s partnership with Biz Kid$ and Hilltop Heritage Middle School, a Title I school in Tacoma. As part of the launch of How to Turn $100 into a Million Dollars, 95 students received books and participated in classroom discussions focused on goal setting, earning, saving, and long-term planning. TAPCO then connected students with local business owners and its own branch team, giving them firsthand exposure to how financial concepts translate into real-world decisions and entrepreneurship.

The program was designed to move students from learning to action. TAPCO committed to provide students with their first $100 when opening an account, and 36 students took that step, while eight parents also opened accounts as a result of the program. By combining education, hands-on experiences, and tangible opportunities to act, TAPCO created a lasting financial literacy experience that helped students see a clear and achievable path toward their financial goals.

WECU, Washington – Flood Relief Assistance Program

When historic flooding devastated Washington’s Whatcom and Skagit counties in December 2025, forcing more than 78,000 residents to evacuate, WECU responded with a comprehensive relief effort to support members, businesses, and the broader community. Recognizing that recovery extends well beyond the immediate disaster, the credit union launched its Flood Relief Assistance Program, providing financial resources and hands-on support to help residents navigate an extraordinarily difficult time.

Running through mid-February 2026, the program offered a range of relief options, including free skip-a-pays, emergency assistance loans with low or no interest rates, loan extensions, fee reversals, and mortgage forbearance support. WECU deferred more than $60,000 in loan payments, extended more than $250,000 in flood relief loans, and provided additional assistance to affected businesses through low-rate commercial lending. These efforts helped ease financial burdens for families and business owners facing property damage, displacement, and lost income.

Beyond direct member assistance, WECU invested in long-term community recovery through charitable giving and employee volunteerism. The credit union contributed to the Whatcom Community Foundation’s Resilience Fund through the Raspberry Ridge Flood Relief Tournament, and employees used their paid volunteer time to assist with cleanup efforts, removing debris and helping restore damaged homes in some of the hardest-hit communities. Together, these financial and volunteer efforts provided critical support while helping households and businesses stabilize and recover more quickly.

Winners in all categories will be announced at the GoWest Awards Dinner & Gala on Oct. 9 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Denver.

Register for MAXX 2026 today and get ready to celebrate!

Posted in Community Impact, MAXX, Oregon, Regional Member News, Top Headlines, Washington.