The program awards non-profit organizations whose work benefits historically underserved communities with grants of $5,000

Verity Credit Union, a Seattle-based financial institution with assets totaling $859 million, known for its socially-responsible, community-rooted banking, announced today the recipients of its Fall 2023 Microgrants. Winners include Abundance of Hope Center,African Young Dreamers Empowerment Program International, Duwamish Valley Sustainability Association, Ireta P’urhépecha, and Yoga Behind Bars, who all received $5,000 to support their communities. 

Launched in 2017, Verity’s Microgrant Program provides unrestricted monetary support for organizations whose work benefits historically underserved communities within Washington State. To date, the program has supported 58organizations with more than 152 thousand dollars, focusing on those with limited access to traditional funding due to organizational size, age, or tax-exemption status.

“Our Microgrant Program is a critical part of our commitment to support and address systemic barriers that historically excluded communities face,” said Ziquora Banks, Chief Impact Strategy Officer. “We’re thrilled to see the growth in applications and pleased to be able to surprise our recipients by doubling the expected grant amount to $5,000. We can’t wait to see the impact on both the organization’s growth and success and benefits received by individuals, groups and businesses they serve.” 

Recently, Verity collaborated with nonprofit partners to better understand the needs of their communities, implementing feedback into the program. The funding is now allocated to organizations instead of specific projects, allowing them flexibility in utilizing the funds where they are most needed.Verity also emphasized funding BIPOC organizations that are less likely to receive corporate funding. This year, Verity received over 70 applications. 

Verity Credit Union’s Fall 2023 Microgrant recipients are: 

Established in 2017, Abundance of Hope Center is dedicated to combating poverty and marginalization in King County, including Seattle, Renton, Tukwila, Sea-Tac, White Center, Kent, Des Moines, and Federal Way. Their approach prioritizes individual well-being, offering support such as referrals, rental assistance, eviction prevention, utility aid, food stipends and Pop-up shops offering new and gently used clothing and shoes, new underwear, toiletries and cleaning supplies - all free of charge.

African Young Dreamers Empowerment Program Intl (AYDEPI) is a youth-driven, adult-guided program founded in 2019 that empowers and supports BIPOC young people to identify issues they face daily and to develop solutions to these challenges. Their mission is to build resilience in vulnerable African Immigrants and African/American Youth through investment in education, mental health awareness, and other psychosocial factors that significantly affect African immigrants and African/American Youth in Washington State.

Duwamish Valley Sustainability Association (DVSA), founded in 2017, provides opportunities for young people from BIPOC families to be trained in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) topics that will grow healthier, more sustainable communities and help to jump-start their professional careers. The association strives to work hand-in-hand with youth leaders to develop replicable, sustainable models as a starting point for the Duwamish Valley community, where there is a history of environmental and social injustice.

Ireta P’urhépecha is a community collective focused on preserving the P’urhépecha culture and identity with the objective of strengthening ancestral knowledge and traditions. They are interrelated with Pueblos Originarios (Original Communities), a collective of members from various Indigenous communities who reside in the Coast Salish Land of Western Washington, with similarities in their dignified resiliency in their multifaceted backgrounds. Their programs include culturally appropriate and bilingual community health events, mobile dental clinics, access to King County public health service representatives, community meals, and story-telling/traditional ceremonial events.

Yoga Behind Bars (YBB) offers trauma-informed yoga and meditation to youth and adults in nine different prisons, jails, and detention centers across Washington State as practical tools for healing. This year, YBB also launched community classes to provide a continuum of care for students that extends beyond incarceration and into reintegration. The organization also provides supplies needed for home practice, thereby creating avenues for reentered individuals to become leaders and teachers in our community and beyond.