BECU Foundation awards $4 million in one-time grants to 12 Washington partners facing higher demand
The foundation of BECU, Washington's largest credit union, said on Oct. 13 that its Right Now Grants went out in September to groups working on housing, food, jobs, college costs and access to banking. Solid Ground received the largest single grant, $500,000.
Seattle. The BECU Foundation has given $4 million to 12 community partners in Washington through a one-time round it calls Right Now Grants, BECU said on Oct. 13. The money went out in September, and the grant cycle runs from Oct. 1, 2026, to Oct. 1, 2027.
BECU said it created the program in response to rising living costs, citing its own figure that more than one-third of Washington households struggle to afford basic expenses, and that many nonprofits are seeing more demand for their services. It called the round the largest grant distribution in the foundation's history. In 2025 the foundation provided more than $1.1 million in scholarships and charitable giving, according to the release.
Who received the money
Ten grants went to the 12 partners. Solid Ground received $500,000 for homelessness prevention, including help with short-term housing costs. United Way of Pierce County received $400,000 for eviction prevention, housing stability coaching and coordination with landlords.
Four more grants were $400,000 each. FareStart will use its grant to serve more students in its culinary training program and to cover costs such as staffing and student stipends. Pioneer Human Services will put its grant toward its Aerospace Manufacturing Academy, and the Black Home Initiative toward producing more chances at homeownership for Black households.
College Success Foundation and Washington State Opportunity Scholarship each received $300,000 for scholarships; College Success Foundation's will go to BECU members and to financial aid literacy. Two credit unions that serve as community development financial institutions, Canopy Credit Union in Eastern Washington and Express Credit Union, received $275,000 each to widen access to affordable financial services.
The largest award, $750,000, is shared by Feeding Feasible Feasts, Four Roots and Vault89, which BECU said are working together on food rescue and distribution, linking farmers, available food and the people who need it.
Flexible money for established partners
BECU described the recipients as long-standing partners, several of which already work with it on scholarships, job training and financial education, and said the grants are meant to help them expand work already underway.
“What I really love is the long-term partnership and giving us the latitude to operate responsibly and make sure that we're ready for next year, and the following year.”
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