Six Credit Unions in the GoWest Region Receive National Credit Union Foundation At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grants

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on September 24, 2026

The National Credit Union Foundation announced 24 credit unions, including six in the GoWest region, were selected to receive funding through its At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grant. The Foundation originally made $500,000 available for the grant cycle but, after receiving the largest response to a call for applications in the grant program’s history, added an additional $150,000, bringing total funding to $647,600 to support more credit unions in launching or expanding programs designed to serve the unique financial needs of young people in communities across the entire country.

The Foundation’s grant recipients will put new ideas into action to improve the financial well-being of at-risk youth. The projects will allow participants to build real-world financial skills and confidence through experiences that may include saving toward meaningful goals, building credit, managing earned income, exploring entrepreneurship, and establishing relationships with trusted financial institutions. Through strong community partnerships, grant recipients will meet young people where they are and create opportunities to turn financial education into action.

The 2026 grant recipients in the GoWest region are:

• Kitsap Credit Union (WA)
• Minnequa Works Credit Union (CO)
• Peninsula Credit Union (WA)
• TAPCO Credit Union (WA)
• Unitus Community Credit Union (OR)
• Verity Credit Union (WA)

“A young person’s financial well-being is the throughline that influences nearly every opportunity that follows, from education and employment to housing and long-term stability. What we saw in this grant cycle was extraordinary demand from credit unions eager to address those challenges in their communities,” said Lauren Culp, Executive Director at the National Credit Union Foundation. “The Foundation turns that commitment into action by bringing together resources, innovations, and connections that accelerate and scale what works. More than the dollars granted, this is about changing the trajectory of millions of lives.”

This newest cohort is working on an expanded understanding from previous cycles. At-risk youth include those experiencing poverty, housing instability, justice involvement, educational disruption, or mental health challenges. These groups of young people face significantly higher financial vulnerability than their peers, often lacking access to safe banking relationships and encountering barriers to opening and maintaining accounts.

“We are honored to be selected alongside so many incredible difference-makers in the Credit Union Movement,” said Nathan Cape, CEO of Minnequa Works Credit Union. “This grant gives us an opportunity to expand the impact we can make for young people throughout Southern Colorado. Financial education can create opportunities that last a lifetime, and we are excited to continue finding meaningful ways to empower youth with the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to build a strong financial future.”

The grant period runs from Sept. 30, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2027. Grantees will document their work throughout the grant period, and the Foundation will share insights and impact stories to support learning across the Credit Union Movement.

The overwhelming response to this grant cycle demonstrates both the need and the opportunity to accelerate financial well-being through credit unions. The Foundation’s eNewsletter will follow the cohort’s progress and will provide information about how others can support future grant opportunities.

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