Right Now Grants Meet Urgent Community Needs

Takeaways: How BECU's Right Now Grants Respond to Community Needs

• The BECU Foundation is distributing $4 million to 12 community partners through 10 Right Now Grants.
• The funding responds to rising costs and reduced resources that are putting greater pressure on families and the nonprofits that serve them.
• The grants will pay for scholarships, job training, housing support, food distribution, homeownership programs and expanded access to financial services.
• Flexible funding will help established community partners respond to immediate needs while strengthening services for the future.

Managing Surprise Costs

When your budget is stretched, one surprise expense can set off a chain reaction. If your car breaks down and you can't afford the repair, getting to work becomes harder. Missing work can put your job at risk. Without your job, you lose the income you rely on for rent or mortgage payments and other bills.

To help families weather challenges like these, the BECU Foundation is distributing $4 million through Right Now Grants as rising costs, reduced funding and growing demand strain community resources.

The funding will help 12 established partners expand services that address housing instability, food insecurity, barriers to education and employment, and limited access to financial services.

Helping Students Afford College

College Success Foundation

College Success Foundation helps students prepare for, enter and complete college. Its $300,000 grant will expand scholarships for BECU members and strengthen financial aid literacy to help students navigate college costs and continue their education.

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship connects Washington students with scholarships and support for education in high-demand fields. Its $300,000 grant will help the organization reach more prospective scholars and provide additional scholarship opportunities, reducing financial barriers that can keep students from completing their education.

Creating Pathways to Better Jobs

Pioneer Human Services

Pioneer Human Services helps people overcome barriers to employment, including involvement with the criminal legal system. Its $400,000 grant will support the Aerospace Manufacturing Academy, giving more participants access to training that can lead to stable, higher-paying careers.

FareStart

FareStart combines culinary training, employment support and social services for people facing poverty and barriers to employment. Its $400,000 grant will help the organization serve more students and cover costs such as staffing and student stipends, allowing participants to focus on training while preparing for sustainable employment.

Keeping Families Housed

United Way of Pierce County

United Way of Pierce County works with families whose incomes are not keeping pace with the cost of basic needs. Its $400,000 grant will support eviction prevention, housing stability coaching, landlord coordination and other wraparound services designed to help families remain housed and regain financial stability.

“These are hardworking families. They're getting up every single day, and they still can't make ends meet,” said Dona Ponepinto, president and CEO of United Way of Pierce County. “I believe every single family should have the opportunity to thrive.”

Solid Ground

Solid Ground helps people remain housed when an unexpected expense threatens their stability. Its $500,000 grant will support homelessness prevention and wraparound assistance, including help with short-term housing costs and other expenses that can push a household toward eviction or homelessness.

Expanding Access to Homeownership

Black Home Initiative

Black Home Initiative works to address barriers that have limited Black homeownership and contributed to persistent housing inequities. Its $400,000 grant will support efforts to increase the production of homeownership opportunities, helping more households move toward stable housing and long-term financial security.

Getting More Food to People Who Need It

Feeding Feasible Feasts, Vault89 and Four Roots

Feeding Feasible Feasts, Vault89 and Four Roots are working together to strengthen food rescue and distribution in communities experiencing increased food insecurity. Their shared $750,000 grant will build on existing infrastructure and create stronger pathways between farmers, available food and people who need it.

Expanding Access to Financial Services

Express Credit Union

Express Credit Union serves people who may face barriers to mainstream financial products and affordable credit. Its $275,000 grant will strengthen the small credit union's ability to provide financial services and access to capital for people who might otherwise have limited options.

Canopy Credit Union

Canopy Credit Union provides community-based financial services and lending in Eastern Washington. Its $275,000 grant will help the credit union expand support for people who may not qualify for conventional financing, increasing access to responsible credit and other tools that can support financial stability.

Supporting Long-Term Impact

Beyond addressing immediate needs, the grants give community partners flexibility to strengthen their work over time.

Patrick D'Amelio, CEO of FareStart said: “What I really love is the long-term partnership and giving us the latitude to operate responsibly and make sure that we're ready for next year, and the following year.”

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