Community Impact

Voting Opens for SELCO Community Credit Union’s Classroom Makeovers: Up to $45,000 in Awards Available
SELCO is inviting Oregonians to cast a vote of a different kind — for their favorite classroom makeover project among nine finalists. The online public vote will decide three winning educators for a Regional Classroom Makeover.

Meet the 2024 GoWest Award Winners!
After a record-breaking number of nominations and a competitive review, GoWest Credit Union Association proudly announced the winners of the 2024 GoWest Awards on Oct. 16 at the GoWest Awards Dinner & Gala at MAXX 2024.

Giddy Up! $1.2 Million raised at CU4Kids Diamond Roundup Benefit Auction
Credit union professionals and business solutions partners came together in Denver on Oct. 15 to raise $1.2 million for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals across the GoWest region.

Tucson Federal Credit Union Board Member Secures $90,000 Grant for Foster Youth Housing Initiative
Tucson Federal Credit Union, in collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, will deliver a grant of more than $90,000 to WholisticTransformation, a local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth aging out of the foster care system.

Fibre Federal Credit Union & TLC’s Communities First Program Supports Local Colleges and Hospitals
Fibre Federal Credit Union and TLC announced the continuation of its Communities First Program, a multi-year sponsorship for community colleges and hospitals within the 11 Washington and Oregon counties it serves.

Credit Unions Across the Region Make a Difference in Their Communities on ICU Day
International Credit Union (ICU) Day, on Oct. 17, was a day reflect upon the credit union movement’s history, promote its […]

MAXX 2024 Mainstage: Together, We Can Summit Life’s Highest Peaks
The theme for MAXX’s day one mainstage was “Together We Can Summit Life’s Highest Peaks.”

First Tech Credit Union Becomes “Game Changing” Partner of Portland WNBA & Portland Thorns
RAJ Sports announced on Oct. 10 First Tech Federal Credit Union as the inaugural partner and Official Credit Union of […]

Tucson-Area Credit Unions Launch “Tucson Welcome Home” Program
Six Tucson-area credit unions and the GoWest Foundation announced a new way to make the dream of homeownership a reality for first-time homebuyers in Tucson. The newly launched Tucson Welcome Home program offers zero down payment assistance – 100% financing for first-time buyers – and supports individuals and families looking to transition from renting to owning their own homes.

GoWest CDFI Credit Unions Awarded $9.775 Million in U.S. Treasury Financial Assistance Awards
On Sept. 26, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded 357 Community Development […]

First Credit Union Brings Back Successful Financial Education Event for Teens
First Credit Union hosted an immersive financial education experience for junior high and high school students on Sept. 21 at Estrella Community College in Avondale, Ariz.

Join the GoWest Foundation in Helping Our Credit Union Community Impacted by Hurricane Helene
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, credit unions and credit union associations are coming together across the nation to support those affected.

Verity Credit Union’s Microgrant Program Supports Underserved Communities in Washington State
Verity Credit Union’s Microgrant Program provides $5,000 in unrestricted monetary support for organizations whose work benefits historically underserved communities within Washington State. Since its launch in 2017, the program has supported over 50 organizations with more than $152,000.

Desert Financial Credit Union Launches New Community Heroes First-Time Homebuyer Program
Desert Financial Credit Union launched its Community Heroes First-Time Homebuyer Program, a new program that strives to make homebuying more affordable for members of the military, first responders, government and civil servants, educators and those in the medical field.

Colorado Girl Scouts Gain Financial and Leadership Skills With New Junior Financial Counselor Patch
Colorado Credit Union and Girl Scouts of Colorado recently introduced an exciting new patch program – the Junior Financial Counselor patch. This innovative patch program is designed to equip girls with essential financial management skills to become leaders in their community.

Pints With Purpose – Join In the Fun at a Special CU4Kids Fundraiser at MAXX!
Credit union chapter leaders from across Colorado are coming together to raise money for Credit Unions for Kids and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by hosting Pints with Purpose, an event designed to kick off the GoWest MAXX Conference on Sunday, Oct. 13.

NCUA Awards Over $3.5 Million in Community Development Revolving Loan Fund Grants
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) announced awards of more than $3.5 million in Community Development Revolving Loan Fund grants to 135 low-income-designated credit unions, including six in the GoWest region.

Mid Oregon Credit Union Installs RightHear to Improve Access for Blind and Low Vision Visitors
Mid Oregon Credit Union recently announced a pioneering step towards enhanced access to its facilities with the installation of the RightHear Accessibility system at all seven branch locations, making them fully accessible to people who are blind and visually impaired.

CU West CARES Charitable Foundation Donates Over $8,000 to StreetLightUSA
The CU West CARES Charitable Foundation and Credit Union West employees donated $8,120.32 to StreetLightUSA, an Ariz.-based nonprofit organization that helps victims of human trafficking.

Teachers Make Sacrifices for the Good of Their Classroom – How Credit Unions Can Support Them
By Olivia Sorensen, Senior Community Development Specialist, SELCO Community Credit Union A new school year has a unique way of […]

Elevations Credit Union Teams Up With Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders to Support Financial Wellness for Student-Athletes’ Families
Elevations Credit Union, in collaboration with Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders and the 5430 Alliance, is proud to announce a special initiative to establish accounts to create a financial foundation for the young families of seven student-athletes.