Working Together for Greater Impact: GoWest Awards 2026 Cooperation in Action Finalists

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on August 19, 2026

The excitement is building as MAXX 2026 draws closer. On Oct. 9, credit union professionals from across the region will come together at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Denver for the GoWest Awards Dinner & Gala, an evening dedicated to honoring the remarkable achievements, leadership, and community impact that define the Credit Union Movement.

The GoWest Awards celebrate excellence across nine categories, shining a spotlight on both visionary individuals and groundbreaking initiatives: Employee Experience, Member Impact, Community Impact, Cooperation in Action, Storytelling With Purpose, Young Professional, Distinguished Director, Summit Advocate, and Summit Icon.

This week, we are proud to highlight the finalists in the Cooperation in Action award presented by the GoWest Foundation. This award recognizes two or more credit unions, credit union communities, or professionals from separate credit unions collaborating to create a bigger impact.

Congratulations to the finalists in the Cooperation in Action category!

Arizona Credit Union Week — AERO Financial, Alhambra Credit Union, Arizona Central Credit Union, Arizona Financial Credit Union, Copper State Credit Union, Credit Union West, Desert Financial Credit Union, First American Credit Union, First Credit Union, Hughes Federal Credit Union, Landings Credit Union, OneAZ Credit Union, Pima Federal Credit Union, Pinal County Federal Credit Union, SunWest Credit Union, TruWest Credit Union, Tucson Federal Credit Union, Vantage West Credit Union, Arizona

Arizona Credit Union Week has become a powerful example of what can happen when credit unions unite around a shared purpose. What began in 2023 with just four participating credit unions has grown into a statewide movement involving 18 credit unions working together to raise awareness of the credit union difference, strengthen local communities, and expand financial empowerment across Arizona. Rather than pursuing these goals independently, participating credit unions have embraced a common message and collaborative approach, demonstrating that cooperation among competitors can create a collective impact far greater than any one organization could achieve alone.

The results of that collaboration were on full display during Arizona Credit Union Week 2025. Through coordinated efforts, credit unions supported small businesses, nonprofits, students, and families across the state. Employee teams visited 31 member-owned businesses during the Pay It Forward initiative, covering more than $36,000 in customer purchases while educating consumers about credit unions. More than 200 credit union employees then came together for a statewide Day of Impact, contributing over 500 volunteer hours, packing more than 18,000 meals, preparing 4,582 emergency food boxes, assembling 690 student hygiene kits, and providing $10,000 in nonprofit donations. The week concluded with statewide financial literacy outreach and coordinated social media efforts that reached nearly 194,000 followers, further amplifying the credit union mission.

Perhaps most importantly, Arizona Credit Union Week has fostered lasting relationships among participating credit unions that extend well beyond a single week of service. The initiative has created a forum for institutions to share best practices, exchange innovative ideas, and pursue new opportunities that benefit members and communities alike. Building on the momentum of the annual campaign, participating credit unions have formed a year-round coalition focused on increasing statewide awareness of credit unions, developing joint financial education initiatives, and coordinating shared advertising efforts. Together, they continue to embody the credit union philosophy of people helping people by proving that cooperation is one of the Movement’s greatest strengths.

Bite of Reality Financial Fairs — Forrit Credit Union and Point West Credit Union, Oregon

Over the past 18 months, Forrit Credit Union and Point West Credit Union have demonstrated the power of cooperation through a sustained partnership focused on delivering Bite of Reality financial education fairs to high school students throughout the Portland metro area. As two small credit unions, they recognized that working together would allow them to expand their reach, share resources, and create opportunities that neither organization could consistently provide on its own. Together, they supported eight workshops serving approximately 280 students from local schools and community organizations, providing hands-on financial education experiences designed to prepare young people for real-world financial decisions.

The success of the initiative was built on an unwavering commitment to mutual support. Point West participated in every Forrit-hosted Bite of Reality event, while Forrit supported every Point West-hosted workshop, ensuring each program was fully staffed and equipped to meet growing demand. When staffing challenges arose, both organizations routinely stepped in to fill volunteer gaps, creating a dependable system of collaboration that benefited students, schools, and community partners alike. The partnership generated an estimated 216 volunteer service hours and more than 560 student financial education hours, demonstrating how shared effort can significantly amplify community impact.

Beyond the measurable outcomes, the partnership strengthened relationships between employees and reinforced the cooperative principles at the heart of the Credit Union Movement. Staff worked side by side to help students navigate realistic budgeting scenarios involving housing, transportation, savings, childcare, and unexpected expenses, while also building professional connections that have extended into other community initiatives. Through trust, consistency, and a shared commitment to youth financial wellness, Forrit Credit Union and Point West Credit Union have shown that collaboration is not simply a strategy for overcoming limitations. It is a powerful way to expand opportunities, deepen community impact, and ensure more students gain the financial skills needed for future success.

Tucson Welcome Home — Hughes Federal Credit Union, Pima Federal Credit Union, Pyramid Federal Credit Union, Tucson Federal Credit Union, and Vantage West Credit Union, Arizona

Tucson Welcome Home was born from a shared commitment to address one of Southern Arizona’s most pressing challenges: housing affordability. Recognizing that rising home prices were putting homeownership out of reach for many working families, five Tucson-area credit unions came together to create a solution that no single institution could have achieved alone. Tucson Federal Credit Union, Pima Federal Credit Union, and Vantage West Credit Union partnered as mortgage lenders, while Hughes Federal Credit Union and Pyramid Federal Credit Union provided referrals and community outreach. With additional support from a GoWest Foundation grant for loan-loss reserves, the collaboration transformed a shared vision into an innovative and scalable pathway to homeownership.

By combining resources, expertise, and community trust, the partners developed a program specifically designed to remove the barriers that often prevent first-time homebuyers from entering the market. Tucson Welcome Home offers 100% financing with no private mortgage insurance requirement, no origination or application fees, free pre-approval, free rate locks, and competitive fixed interest rates. Plus, the collaboration created multiple access points into the program, ensuring that prospective buyers could connect through any participating credit union and still benefit from the same shared solution. The result is a broader, more visible response to regional housing challenges than any one organization could have delivered independently.

The impact has been immediate and meaningful. Since launch, Tucson Welcome Home has received 356 applications, funded 76 loans totaling more than $22 million, secured 63 pre-approvals, and has 47 additional loans pending. Beyond financing, the program provides educational resources on budgeting, homeownership responsibilities, and long-term financial wellness, helping borrowers achieve sustainable success. By choosing partnership over competition, the participating credit unions have brought the cooperative principles of Cooperation Among Cooperatives and Concern for Community to life, creating new opportunities for families while strengthening the economic stability and well-being of the Tucson community.

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

If you’ve already registered for MAXX and would like to add a ticket to the Awards Dinner, please reach out to the GoWest events team!

Let’s get ready to celebrate!

Posted in Arizona, Community Impact, GoWest Foundation, MAXX, Oregon, Regional Member News, Top Headlines.