Foundation Grant Program

Foundation Grant Program is sponsored by GoWest Foundation. The GoWest Foundation provides funding to drive financial health initiatives and strengthen credit union community impact work across Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. Grants are awarded directly to credit unions with rare exceptions.

Turning Ideas into Impact Through GoWest Foundation Grant Funding | GoWest Association Home » On The Go » Turning Ideas into Impact Through GoWest Foundation Grant Funding Posted by Alyse Knudsen on April 15, 2026 The webinar, Grow with GoWest Foundation: Recent Grant Awards & Current Funding Paths , highlighted grant opportunities supporting projects focused on workforce housing, rural access to financial services, and small business development.

Attendees were walked through the application process, explored funding pathways, and — most importantly — heard directly from peers who are already putting grant dollars to work. Real Projects. Real Impact.

Several credit union leaders shared how Foundation grants are fueling meaningful change: Chelsia Neto, Connections Credit Union, discussed a $45,000 rural access project grant that helped deploy a mobile banking unit to better serve rural communities throughout Idaho — bringing financial services directly to areas where access is limited.

Brian Rohrbacher, Grand Altitude Federal Credit Union, highlighted a $20,000 workforce housing planning grant supporting efforts to develop workforce housing solutions in Lander, Wyoming — an issue impacting recruitment, retention, and long-term community vitality.

Leslie Shepard, SunWest Credit Union, spoke about a $20,000 Small Business Project Grant that is funding critical staff capacity to successfully launch and sustain small business lending initiatives. Dan Thurman, Frontier Credit Union, shared insights on a current collaborative housing project currently underway in East Idaho.

Frontier is partnering with Connections Credit Union, ICCU, and Westmark Credit Union to expand impact through cooperation and shared vision. Together, these stories illustrated the flexibility and reach of GoWest Foundation funding — from planning and capacity-building to full implementation and multi-credit-union collaboration.

Flexible Funding, Designed for Credit Unions The GoWest Foundation offers: Planning grants up to $20,000 Implementation grants up to $100,000 Larger awards for collaborative projects, depending on scope and impact Grants are available year-round with a straightforward and supportive application process, making it easier for credit unions to apply when timing aligns with strategic initiatives.

The Foundation’s three key focus areas — workforce housing, rural access to financial services, and small business support — are intentionally designed to spark innovation and partnerships that create lasting community impact. Grant reporting is streamlined and designed to convey the metrics credit unions are prioritizing.

Tools to Help You Get Started A Grants Overview document with a high-level look at eligible projects In-depth Workforce Housing and Rural Access to Financial Services overviews featuring grant award funded examples from peer credit unions Comprehensive grant guidelines available on the Foundation website outlining eligibility, requirements, and key considerations Now is the perfect time to explore how GoWest Foundation funding could help bring your next community-focused initiative to life.

Interested in learning more or starting a conversation about your project idea? The GoWest Foundation team is ready to help you take the next step. Posted in Community Impact , GoWest Foundation , Top Headlines .

Select Month October 2026 Monthly Small Credit Union Roundtable This monthly roundtable create space for small credit union leaders to connect with peers, share best practices, celebrate wins, and engage in open dialogue with GoWest around the priorities and challenges facing small credit unions.

Collectors Council; Session Three This session provides an opportunity to share challenges and successes with collection and recovery peers, ask questions and learn from each other, as well as gain insights from outside legal and industry experts. Professional Development Council; Session Three Strong leaders are built at every stage of a career.

The Professional Development Council is dedicated to helping credit union staff grow personally and professionally, no matter their role or department. Compliance Council; Session Three The Council provides opportunities to meet with counterparts from other credit unions, discuss upcoming regulatory changes, and devise strategies to implement them.

Members benefit from the collective intelligence of compliance peers, all working to create best practices for credit unions. MAXX Mainstage Comes Alive Celebrating Credit Unions’ Next 250 Miles Help Shape What’s Next: 2027 Committee Nominations Extended to Oct. 23 Why Law Enforcement Relationships Matter in Fraud Investigations Fibre Federal and Red Canoe Credit Unions Team Up for Doernbecher Days