2023

COMMUNITY IMPACT

At Unitus, we believe a brighter financial future should be accessible to everyone. Everything we do revolves around a simple premise: what is best for our members and our community. Our service model creates an inclusive experience and allows us to support each member through every defining moment in their lives. This holistic approach inspires hope and confidence, positioning Unitus as a trusted partner in our community.

$405,712

Total Community Giving

in Support of

60

$14,500

$233,661

Contributed to Disaster

Relief Efforts

$63,700

Invested in Scholarships and Higher Education

In 2023, we also focused in on increasing resources for underserved groups. We introduced a pilot banking program in partnership with the Consulate of Mexico that supports Hispanic women entrepreneurs and successfully hosted the inaugural NW Juntos Avanzamos Roundtable. Additionally, we continued our collaboration with MFS (Multnomah Family Services)-CASH Oregon by hosting a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Site, producing $73,588 in total economic impact for Oregon and Southwest Washington taxpayers.

Increasing Food Accessibility to Farmworkers with AWARE Food Bank

AWARE Food Bank, part of Marion Polk Food Share, is one of the few nonprofits addressing food insecurity in the Woodburn area, and in particular, food insecurity among agricultural workers. So, Unitus continued our support of AWARE donating $22,000 (over two years) to help with costs associated with securing choice-based food pantry service, conducting evening and mobile food distributions to reach local farmworkers, and providing pantry guests with connections to healthcare, transportation, and other resources.

Closing the Food Scarcity Gap

In 2023, we continued our $30,000 multi-year commitments to Clackamas Service Center and SnowCap Community Charities to expand their facilities and provide more access to no questions asked pantries, food box delivery services, clothing closets, mobile showers, and more. The addition of CSC’s new Food Hub allowed them to provide an incredible 117,844 services in 2023—their most impactful year yet—and SnowCap’s new Covenant Campus space, which has expanded its bursting-at-the-seams operation into a new 12,000+ square foot warehouse and given them the opportunity to provide services to an average 11,000 people a month, with a quickly-growing clothing closet.

Creating Pathways to Stable Housing

In 2023, Unitus committed $56,500 to organizations working to create pathways to stable housing and home ownership. This support encompasses repaid rehousing programs designed to help individuals and families exit homelessness and access housing, support to minority homeownership programs, and support to organizations paving pathways to affordable and emergency housing. Unitus also directly supported families and individuals experiencing hardship through volunteerism such as making personalized courage cards for children entering the foster care system through Project Never Again and by helping IRCO organize and prepare for their New Beginnings Market opening, a no-cost shop offering used and new furniture, clothing, and household items to immigrants and refugees, plus those coming out of homelessness, and domestic or gang violence.

We also gave $14,500 in disaster relief funding through Ke Kukui Foundation and Global Empowerment Mission’s Tool Drive Program to help individuals and families rebuild after events such as the Maui wildfires and in support of Ukrainian credit union employees and families through CUAid: Disaster Relief and Via Stella Foundation.

We recognize that BIPOC and historically disadvantaged communities continue to face significant barriers. That’s why we work to advance racial and social equity through our community partnerships, grow economic opportunities through our products and services, and center marginalized voices to improve representation and belonging at Unitus year-round.

Centering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in our partnerships and asking our community what they need to thrive is integral in our giving, our conversations, and the energy behind our actions. That’s why, in addition to focusing 68% of our giving on nonprofits focused on building healthier and more inclusive communities like Relay Resources and participating in events such as El Grito, we invested 31% of our giving to BIPOC and culturally specific organizations like IRCO (Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization), Ke Kukui Foundation, NAYA (Native American Youth & Family Center), and Urban League of Portland’s Financial Empowerment Collaborative.

Pride Northwest

In 2023, supported Pride Northwest, their many grassroots events and efforts, and the 2023 Pride Festival and Parade. As the largest avenue for our region’s LGBTQIA2+ community, support of Pride celebrates LGBTQIA2+ history and accomplishments, promotes education about LGBTQIA2+ rights, and brings visibility to Oregon and SW Washington’s LGBTQIA2+ community—including our Unitus LGBTQIA2+ members and employees. Team Unitus proudly participated in their two-day Portland Pride Festival and Pride Parade.

Latino Network Summer Bridge Program

We continued our $30,000 commitment to Latino Network’s Summer Bridge Program in 2023, a culturally specific program for Latino students in the Portland Public School district to assist with the transition from high school to higher education. In 2022, our commitment helped expand the program to double its reach to 60 students, helping fulfill Latino Network’s mission to uplift youth and families to reach their full potential.

Latino Network’s Summer Bridge Program fulfills its purpose by engaging Latino students and their parents/caretakers through various workshops over the course of eight weeks that include setting up for campus housing, accepting and reviewing financial aid award letters, registering for classes, individual case management, and more.

VITA Tax Services with MFS CASH Oregon

In 2023, we joined forces with Metropolitan Family Services (MFS), CASH Oregon again to provide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to our community. The VITA program offers free tax return support to people who generally make $64,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their tax returns. As part of our collaboration and hosting of a VITA Tax Site at our Beaverton branch location, producing $73,588 in total economic impact for Oregon and SW Washington individuals.

Urban League of Portland

2023 marked our second year of the Financial Empowerment Collaborative (FEC), a force made up of five Portland-area credit unions who have come together with the Urban League of Portland on an initiative designed to advance the financial well-being of Black Oregonians. The partnership grew out of Urban League’s discussions with Portland-area credit unions eager to find opportunities to create tangible positive community impact in the wake of racial justice uprising that awakened the city in 2020.

The purpose and goal of this initiative is to foster financial empowerment and provide solid pathways for participants on their journey to financial and housing stability and wealth creation. The FEC’s approach focuses on addressing Black Oregonians’ unique needs, so they can gain access to supportive products, services, education, and financial tools, including customized financial education and coaching.

Supporting Education

Improving educational equity and inspiring students to achieve their maximum potential is one of our core pillars. Within this, not only do we provide support to organizations such as Schoolhouse Supplies to help them provide elementary students with equitable access to academic tools, but we ensure that student support lasts beyond the bounds of K-12 classrooms through programs such as Portland Rose Festival’s Court Mentor Program. That’s also why we invested $63,700 in scholarships and higher education in 2023 to support the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators.

Unitus Scholarship Program

In 2023, we provided $27,000 in scholarships through our Unitus Scholarship Program to nine students who demonstrated leadership, academic excellence, a commitment to community service, and a dedication to pursuing higher education at a two- or four-year college, university, or vocation-technical school.

As part of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we made multiple updates to the Unitus Scholarship Program in 2023 as well. These included increasing the award amount from $2,500 to $3,000, increasing our number of scholarships from six scholarships to nine, and designating a portion of our scholarships to first generation students and students of color. 2023 also marked the year we introduced our Barbara Leonard Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a Black or African American student who has demonstrated academic potential, high achievement, and leadership.

WOU Bilingual and Diverse Teachers Scholars Program

In 2023, we continued our $75,000 multi-year partnership with Western Oregon University (WOU) in support of their Bilingual and Diverse Teachers Scholars Program, which aligns resources and opportunities for students to become licensed bilingual teachers. In addition to receiving renewable three-year scholarships, graduates also receive preferred hiring in their home school district and future employment in Oregon schools, allowing them to return and make a difference in their community. As part of our collaboration we had the opportunity to meet and celebrate the eight students selected for these

Financial Education

Thanks to partnerships with Financial Beginnings, Junior Achievement, Oregon Tradeswomen, Portland Public Schools, and other community partners, we provided financial education for local students, underrepresented populations, entrepreneurs, and more.

In 2023, we taught 254 workshops reaching 2,763 youth and adults, including 21 taught in Spanish. We continued our partnership with Ron Russel Middle School for the sixth year, hosting Junior Achievement workshops for all sixth-grade classes in the Spring and Fall reaching over 259 youth and aligned our outreach with the Bridgeport branch to host workshops along with the opportunity to open new accounts onsite with the Family Justice Center of Washington County.

Furthermore, we grew virtual financial education by aligning our outreach with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) consumer education efforts such as America Saves Week and with the Consulate of Mexico’s National Financial Education Weeks.

Unitus Branch at JA BizTown

In October 2023, we proudly opened a Unitus Branch at Junior Achievement of Oregon and SW Washington’s BizTown, becoming the first credit union in the region to establish a branch at this popular learning experience in a simulated town. Leading the organization through the grand opening as the first Unitus CEO at the new BizTown branch was 10-year old Jayln, a 5th grade student from Washougal, Washington. Steven Stapp, Unitus President and CEO, met with Jalyn at the branch opening to offer some pointers on running the credit union. While she was certainly busy, she appreciated meeting with Unitus’ real-life CEO.

JA BizTown provides students with a unique opportunity to experience their personal financial futures firsthand. Within a simulated economy, students embark on the challenge of starting and running a business. Through in-class curriculum focused on the circular flow of the economy and citizenship, students are prepared for their roles within the various storefronts at JA BizTown. During their time at JA BizTown, students earn and spend a paycheck, pay taxes, vote for their elected officials for the day, and work together with their peers toward the common goal of paying back their start-up loan.

Volunteers, including Unitus employees, guide students through the simulation, sharing their own life experiences to inspire students and help them discover the endless opportunities their futures can hold. The curriculum at JA BizTown will also evolve to emphasize the differences between banks and credit unions, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of financial institutions, engaging over 13,000 5th graders annually.

CREDIT UNIONS FOR KIDS

UNITE FOR HOPE

Credit Unions for Kids, a national nonprofit collaboration of credit unions, chapters, associations, and business partners and the fifth largest fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, has deep roots in the PNW—and right here at Unitus. Established at Unitus more than 30 years ago, Credit Unions for Kids (CU4Kids) has raised more than $195 million since its inception—an incredible display of the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.”

In 2023, we entered into a new era of our partnership with CU4Kids, introducing a new community campaign and fundraiser—Unite for Hope—that benefitting our local Children’s Miracle Network hospital, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, and their Hybrid Operating Room capital campaign alongside the children and families it will impact for years to come. OHSU’s Hybrid OR campaign will support the construction of a comprehensive new suite that will help make heart surgery safer for their most vulnerable patients by eliminating the need to transport patients across the hospital during risky surgeries, such as pediatric open-heart surgery.

With the generosity and spirit of our community, members, and employees, Unite for Hope raised $5,262. Unitus also received the Co-op Miracle Match Program to uplift these efforts. This brought our overall contributions to $20,261 for CU4Kids in 2023. Unite for Hope was inspired by Unitus’ and other PNW credit union’s pledge to raise $5 million over 5 years in support of the Hybrid OR through grassroots fundraising and corporate giving.

GROWING

ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT

Knowing that we're stronger together, we saw a need to bring everyone together to find ways to empower and support our Hispanic and multicultural communities.

— Steven Stapp

Unitus Community Credit Union President and CEO

Branch Community Program

Built as a way to empower branches to connect more with their community and neighboring organizations, the Branch Community Program provides each Unitus branch a community budget each year to provide small dollar charitable giving and localized partnerships.

In 2023, Unitus branch teams supported causes such as Juneteenth OR and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and gave to nonprofits that work to support hunger and food insecurity, artists with intellectual/developmental disabilities, therapeutic healing for children facing serious illnesses, local students and schools, and services for seniors with over $6,000 in branch donations.

CommunityGIVE Committee

Our CommunityGIVE Committee consists of eight employees across Unitus and two Unitus members who help direct a portion of Unitus’ overall giving through their own unique experience, community perspective, and recommendations, guiding our purpose and values forward. In 2023, the committee directed over $20,000 to local nonprofits and organizations.

2023 Holiday Giving Campaign

Four local nonprofit organizations benefitted from our Holiday Drive in 2022. Blanchet House, Children’s Book Bank at SMART Reading, Lines for Life, and Sunshine Division were beneficiaries of this year’s fundraiser, which seeded each Unitus employee $25 to donate to the nonprofit of their choosing as well as invited members to donate at their local branch. Unitus branches also partnered with Ke Kukui Foundation to host a gift card drive in continuation of our support for those displaced and left houseless by the Maui wildfires. Gift card donations, which were managed and distributed by Kamehameha School Maui, provided direct support to Lahaina families for goods, gifts, and food to help bring joy and normalcy into their lives during the holiday season.

In addition to supporting these nonprofits, we also offered a special 1:1 match for employees as part of our Holiday Drive. The campaign matched any donation Unitus employees made to the nonprofit(s) of their choosing, with no limits or restrictions. Thanks to our members and employees, our 2023 Holiday Drive raised over $6,500—all dollars that will go directly back into our community and into programs and services for food scarcity, housing, mental health, and youth.

Community Heart Award

Every quarter, we award one outstanding employee with a Unitus Community Heart Award, which recognizes employees who have gone above and beyond for their community. Every Community Heart Award recipient receives a commemorative plaque recognizing their remarkable work and commitment as well as $100 to donate to the nonprofit of their choosing.

ABOUT US

Unitus has been a part of the Oregon community since 1937, when a group of Pacific Telephone & Telegraph employees pooled their resources to provide affordable loans to their co-workers. Today, Unitus serves 15 counties in Oregon and the entire state of Washington with a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and providing inspirational service. As of December 31, 2023, we are 104,934 members strong.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture of belonging for our workforce and members by celebrating diversity, inspiring continuous growth, and creating a safe and inclusive environment for our employees and the communities we serve.

Our Board of Directors, Audit Committee, and Leadership team work together to ensure that every decision is made with members’ financial well-being in mind.