The People Helping People Awards are an annual member-led program that recognizes and supports great causes in our communities.
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Each year, BECU members and employees can nominate local nonprofits for a People Helping People Award of up to $50,000. Each winner will receive thousands of dollars in grant funds. Black-led nonprofits are also eligible to be nominated for up to $20,000 as part of our Black Community Development Project, a five-year, $5 million commitment to Black communities and racial equity.
The 2023 nomination window has now closed. Check back in October to see our finalists and vote for the People's Choice Award.
BECU member nominations: April 3 – 28
Semifinalists notified: May 15
Nonprofit supplemental applications due: June 9
Finalists notified: August
Voting for People's Choice Award: October
Award recipients announced: December
The BECU People Helping People Awards are granted in the following amounts:
Member Volunteer of the Year Award: (1) $50,000
Selected by a panel of judges, the award is granted to a nonprofit organization on behalf of an outstanding member volunteer.
People's Choice Award: (1) $40,000
Selected by popular vote from the community, the award is granted to one nonprofit organization.
Employees' Choice Award: (1) $30,000
Selected by popular vote from BECU employees, the award is granted to one nonprofit organization.
Past PHPA Recipients' Choice: (1) $30,000
Selected by popular vote from past PHPA recipient nonprofits, the award is granted to one nonprofit organization.
Community Benefit Award: (14) $15,000 or more
Selected by a panel of judges, the awards are granted to fourteen nonprofit finalists that have been nominated by members.
BCDP Nonprofit Capacity Award:
As part of the Black Community Development Project, BECU is awarding up to $150,000 in grant funding to small, Black-led nonprofits that are trying to build capacity to deepen their work in the community.
In addition to the above listed award amounts, all PHPA recipients will receive a glide path grant of $2,500 for the two years following their initial award (glide path funding does not apply to BCDP grant recipients).
You may nominate any nonprofit organization you support with your time, talents or money. Nonprofits must also meet the following requirements:
- Active 501(c)(3) tax exempt status with the IRS.
- Must have a direct impact in one of the following areas:
- Washington state
- County of Charleston, South Carolina
- Oregon Counties: Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Deschutes, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, Yamhill
- Idaho Counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, Shoshone
- Nonprofit work must be focused in any one of the following seven giving areas:
- Advancing education (Pre-K through college): Access to education, mentoring, educational materials and programming, classroom, school and PTSA funding for educational programs/materials/experiences.
- Arts and culture: Equitable access to art experiences, underrepresented art and cultural organizations, cultural programs.
- Creating economic opportunity: Living-wage jobs, small and startup businesses, job quality for low-wage workers.
- Preserving health and promoting wellness: Access to healthcare, illness prevention/cure, mental health, patient support, disabilities, veteran advocacy.
- Preserving or restoring the environment: Conservation, stewardship, sustainability.
- Providing for basic human needs: Affordable housing, homelessness, senior advocacy, infant and child advocacy, food/diaper/clothing banks.
- Strengthening local communities: Neighborhoods, public safety, search and rescue, outdoor spaces, rotary/chamber.
If you need help starting your application, take a look at some winning nominations from previous years (PDF). You may also find answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQ section.
Questions?
Contact the BECU social impact team: communityrelations@becu.org