People Helping People Awards: BECU Grants $525,000 to Member-Nominated Nonprofits

SEATTLE (Dec. 16, 2022) – Last night, BECU honored community members at its 10^th annual People Helping People Awards. More than 30 nonprofit organizations and BECU members fostering meaningful change in BECU’s communities were highlighted and received grants to further their work.

“BECU exists and operates by the credit union ‘people helping people’ philosophy, acting intentionally to help our communities thrive,” said Tom Berquist, EVP and chief marketing officer at BECU. “This year’s People Helping People Award recipients represent the best of our community, working diligently and tirelessly to address issues that our members care about, including education, equity, child welfare and the environment.”

BECU’s 2022 People Helping People Award recipients include:

• Member Volunteer of the Year ($50,000): Shaun Glaze was selected as Member Volunteer of the Year for their service helping build capacity for The Silent Task Force. The organization works to heal the impact of systemic, domestic violence in Black families and communities through culturally specific education and trainings.
• People’s Choice Winner ($40,000): Whidbey Environmental Action Network was selected by popular vote from the community. The organization strives to restore and preserve the biological diversity of Whidbey Island and the Pacific Northwest through education, activation and litigation.
• Employees’ Choice Winner ($30,000):  Empowering Youth & Families Outreach won by popular vote among BECU employees. A staple in the Black community, this organization raises up resilient and empowered leaders through multi-faceted programs and hands-on support.
• Past Recipients’ Choice Winner ($30,000): Washington CASA was chosen by popular vote among past People Helping People Award recipients. CASA volunteers advocate in the best interest of abused and neglected children in the state of Washington to ensure they are safe and have a permanent home.
• Community Benefit Winners ($15,000 each): Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, Dress for Success Seattle, Geeking Out Kids of Color, Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center, Influence the Choice, Joya, NAMI Seattle, Reachout Organization, Readiness to Learn, Sherwood Community Services, Speak with Purpose, Spokane AIDS Network (SAN), Take the Next Step and WestSide Baby.
• Black Community Development Project: For its third year, BECU is awarding seven Black-led, member-nominated nonprofits with Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants. The following recipients will each receive $21,428, for a total of $150,000:
  • Advancing Education (Pre-K through College): SWS Fund and REACH for Literacy
  • Creating Economic Opportunity: Blessings From My Heart To Your Table
  • Preserving Health and Promoting Wellness: Free Flo Fit
  • Providing Basic Human Needs: Young Black & Brilliant
  • Strengthening Local Communities: Tiplus Washington and Doing It, Does It

Previous program recipients are encouraged to apply for People Helping People Collaboration Grants, which recognize a joint opportunity for two or more organizations to collaborate on a project.

The following three collaborations each received $20,000 in Collaboration Grants this year:

• Seattle Rep and Young Women Empowered will collaborate on a youth engagement program called Y-WE Speak, giving youth the opportunity to tell their stories and create community through regular classes, group dinners, field trips and Seattle Rep performances.
• Inside Health Institute will partner with Friendship Adventures to provide health and wellness programs for adults with disabilities to improve quality of life, independence and health outcomes for this underserved community.
• Young Women Empowered will partner with Bike Works with a focus on facilitating fun, adventurous and reflective learning experiences centered on BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth in the greater Seattle community.

The following three collaborations each received $5,000 in Collaboration Grants this year:

• Open Doors for Multicultural Families and Benefits Law Center
• Bonney Lake Food Bank and the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District
• Way Back Inn and Girls Giving Back

In addition, all 2021 and 2022 award recipients will receive a glidepath grant of $2,500 for the two years following their initial award (note that glidepath funding does not apply to Black Community Development Project or Collaboration Grant recipients). Since the program launched in 2013, BECU has donated more than $3.5 million to over 130 local nonprofits.

About BECU
With more than 1.3 million members and $30.2 billion in assets, BECU is the largest not-for-profit credit union in Washington and one of the top four financial cooperatives in the country. As a member-owned credit union, BECU is focused on helping increase the financial well-being of its members and communities through better rates, fewer fees, community partnerships and financial education. The credit union currently operates more than 50 locations in Washington and two financial centers in South Carolina. For more information, visit www.becu.org.