Unitus Community Credit Union wins two prestigious awards
Credit union earns state-level awards for social responsibility and philosophy in action
PORTLAND, ORE (October 18, 2023) — Unitus Community Credit Union has been awarded two prestigious awards for its philanthropic efforts. The credit union earned the Oregon state-level Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award and the Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Award at the GoWest Association’s MAXX Award Ceremony. Unitus will now be considered for the national-level awards through the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).
The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award honors credit unions for their involvement in community projects and activities. Ms. Maxwell was a community activist who committed her life to credit union development, to her community, and to serving the underserved. Unitus earned this prestigious award for its support of the AWARE Food Bank in Woodburn. The credit union’s support includes donating funds to assist with the rebuilding and restocking of the facility after an arson, providing funding for an outreach coordinator to deliver food to farmworkers who need assistance, and donating hundreds of rain jackets for farmworkers who work outside during the rainy season.
“We are proud to support AWARE Food Bank and the people it serves,” said Steven Stapp, President and CEO of Unitus Community Credit Union. “One in five Oregonians experiences food insecurity. No one should have to make a choice between eating and paying rent. AWARE helps fill the gap for thousands of people, so they don’t have to make that choice.”
Unitus also earned the Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Award, which recognizes credit unions that do an extraordinary job incorporating credit union philosophy into daily operations. Ms. Herring was one of the original signers of the 1934 constitution that created CUNA. The impact Unitus has had on the Hispanic community was honored with this award. Through intentional efforts ranging from hiring more bilingual and bicultural staff to selecting inclusive community partners, Unitus is focused on reaching members of the community who have been underserved by traditional financial institutions.
“We are truly honored to be recognized for our inclusive financial practices,” said Aimee Berg, Community Development Manager at Unitus. “From providing loans to members with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to dedicating 30% of our giving funds to communities of color, Unitus is making a positive impact in our Hispanic and immigrant communities.”
For the past 12 years, Unitus has been named a “Top 10 Corporate Philanthropist” in the Portland metro area by the Portland Business Journal. To learn more about Unitus Community Credit Union’s philanthropy efforts, read the 2022 Community Impact Report.
About Unitus Community Credit Union
At Unitus, we’re dedicated to improving lives in the communities we serve. As a member-owned local credit union, we invest in people by doing the right thing. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, we provide support for community groups through volunteerism and financial donations. Our 105,000 members count on us to serve them and their communities; our 300+ employees share that passion for service. Learn about the local impact Unitus makes by visiting unitusccu.com.
