SEATTLE, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BECU, Washington's largest credit union, today announced the BECU Foundation has distributed $4 million to support organizations working to expand opportunity and strengthen communities through Right Now Grants. The one-time funding was distributed in September, with the grant cycle running Oct. 1, 2026 through Oct. 1, 2027. The grants will help local nonprofit and credit union partners advance their work in housing stability, education, workforce development, food security and access to financial services.
The Right Now Grants program was created in response to the affordability pressures communities face today. With more than one-third of Washington households struggling to afford basic living expenses, many nonprofits are experiencing increased demand for services.
"Our community partners know where help is needed most," said Carla Costa-Perales, executive vice president and chief impact officer at BECU. "These grants will help them build on their work and reach more people in their communities."
The investment marks the largest grant distribution in BECU Foundation history and builds on BECU's commitment to financial well-being, recognizing that the financial well-being of members is connected to the strength of the communities they call home. That approach helped deliver $425.7 million in financial value to members through competitive rates and fewer fees in 2025.
Right Now Grants Recipients
The selected organizations represent long-standing community partners with deep expertise in their respective focus areas. Several have partnered with BECU for years through philanthropic investments, scholarships, workforce development initiatives and financial well-being programs.
The Right Now Grants build on those existing relationships and provide additional resources to help organizations scale work already underway. Grant recipients and specific funds allocated include:
- Canopy Credit Union ($275,000) – Increasing access to affordable financial services in Eastern Washington as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
- Express Credit Union ($275,000) – Supporting equitable access to community-based financial services for underserved populations as a CDFI.
- College Success Foundation ($300,000) – Advancing scholarship access and financial literacy.
- Washington State Opportunity Scholarship ($300,000) – Expanding educational and career-connected opportunities.
- FareStart ($400,000) – Providing community meals and workforce development through culinary training programs.
- Black Home Initiative ($400,000) – Increasing pathways to Black homeownership.
- Pioneer Human Services ($400,000) – Helping people build stability through employment and support services.
- United Way of Pierce County ($400,000) – Connecting families with financial coaching and support services.
- Solid Ground ($500,000) – Strengthening housing stability and homelessness prevention efforts.
- Feeding Feasible Feasts, Four Roots and Vault89 ($750,000) – Improving local food access and community support systems.
Building on a Longstanding Commitment to Community Impact
As a member-owned credit union, BECU is committed to helping people and communities thrive. Last year alone, BECU invested more than $8.1 million across programs and partnerships working to address community needs.
One way BECU brings that commitment to life is through the BECU Foundation, which provided more than $1.1 million in scholarships and charitable giving in 2025.
At its core, the BECU Foundation exists to turn collective resources into collective impact. What started as educational support for members and their families has grown into a broader effort that extends the credit union philosophy of people helping people through scholarships, grantmaking and community investments.
For more than 30 years, it has expanded opportunity and strengthened financial well-being for the people and communities BECU serves.
Learn more about BECU's broader community impact and the BECU Foundation.
About BECU
With more than 1.5 million members and $29.4 billion in assets, BECU is the largest not-for-profit credit union in Washington and one of the top five 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 great rates, few fees, community partnerships and financial education. The credit union currently operates 70 financial centers, including two in South Carolina. For more information, visit www.becu.org.
Contact: BECU Public Relations [email protected]