Verity Credit Union, a Seattle-based financial institution with assets totaling $735 million, awarded 16 recipients of its Grants for Growth program with a total of $120,000 to support historically excluded entrepreneurs, BIPOC- and women-led startups, and nonprofits advancing justice and equity across Washington state.
Known for its socially responsible, community-rooted banking, Verity’s new Grants for Growth initiative encompasses its Microbusiness Grant and Nonprofit Microgrant, previously known as the Microgrant Program. The Microbusiness Grant offers $7,500–$10,000 in flexible funding and relationship support to small businesses with fewer than 10 employees and an annual revenue of under $1 million. The Nonprofit Microgrant offers $5,000 to grassroots 501(c)(3) organizations with assets under $250,000 to strengthen community-rooted programs.
“Grants for Growth is community banking in action, getting capital directly into the hands of people who are building livelihoods, creating jobs, and strengthening local economies,” said Ziquora Banks, Chief Impact Strategy Officer. “We’re thrilled to be providing grants directly to microbusinesses and nonprofits that are too often overlooked, supporting real economic stability, job creation, and community resilience.”
This year’s recipients will use funds to expand culturally reflective food access, enhance professional development programs, increase staff wages, deliver financial literacy education, and alleviate day-to-day operating costs of running small businesses and nonprofits.
Verity Credit Union’s 2025 Grants for Growth recipients include:
Young Black Homeowners: a Tacoma-based initiative building pathways to Black homeownership through education, credit support, and community-rooted financial tools. Focused on helping families transition from renting to ownership and creating long-term financial stability.
Take Up the Cause: a Spokane-based organization preserving affordable housing and supporting Black families through debt repair, credit counseling, and rent-to-own homeownership transitions. A leader in community-centered housing stability, its work spans initiatives such as career exploration fairs, mentorship programs, and community cleanups, emphasizing direct support and social advocacy.
StratBridge | Systems Transformation: a Seattle consulting firm employing justice-impacted individuals to advance policy change and dismantle workforce barriers. Their work promotes wage equity, access to promotions, and housing stability.
BRE Innovative Solutions: a Pierce County wellness and coaching company offering trauma-informed support for families and youth. It is Black-, woman-, and LGBTQIA+-owned, with programs focused on healing, leadership, and community well-being.
Makini’s Kitchen LLC: a Seattle-based cultural food business uplifting the Ethiopian community through authentic meals, catering, and culinary storytelling. Their grant funds will support expansion and increased capacity to hire community members.
I Luv Elotes: a Tacoma Latinx-owned food business providing community-centered catering, youth mentorship, and justice-impacted employment pathways. Expansion will immediately grow hiring and community engagement.
Blessential Trucking LLC: a veteran-, Black-, and LGBTQIA+-owned transportation company serving Pierce County families and elders with essential logistics and accessible transport. Funding supports fleet expansion and hiring additional drivers.
The Clean Cut University, LLC: a Tacoma-based training program rooted in Black barbershop culture, providing youth job training, barbering skills, and entrepreneurship pathways.
Olu Productions: a Seattle creative entrepreneurship platform mentoring young Black entrepreneurs, offering product showcases, business skill-building, and a supportive space to grow the next generation of Black business owners.
ABC Bilingual Childcare LLC: a Yakima-based bilingual childcare provider serving immigrant and low-income families. Grant funds strengthen culturally rooted care, expand capacity, and support working parents in ALICE households.
Living with Conviction works statewide to dismantle the financial and legal barriers created by legal financial obligations. Led by justice-impacted individuals, they provide legal empowerment, debt relief navigation, and financial pathways that restore stability and dignity.
Oceania United supports Pacific Islander families in South King County with immigration navigation, housing stabilization, youth programs, and workforce pathways. Their culturally grounded model strengthens long-term economic opportunity for a community historically excluded from financial systems.
Rise with Resilience provides trauma-informed employment, coaching, and stability support for adults in Snohomish County rebuilding after violence, homelessness, behavioral health challenges, or justice involvement. Their RISE Project combines barrier-reduction funds, housing navigation, and job-readiness coaching to strengthen long-term financial well-being.
Swan Creek Art Academy provides hands-on digital arts and creative workforce development for BIPOC and low-income youth. Their programs build confidence, technical skill, and entry points into creative career pathways that support long-term economic opportunity.
Walla Walla Valley Disability Network (WWVDN) is led by people with disabilities and caregivers who understand the systemic gaps impacting rural families. Their programs support economic stability through benefits navigation, housing and employment information, and transition planning for teens and adults with disabilities.
Kicheko Project uplifts African diaspora families in North King County through cultural education, language programs, and financial empowerment workshops. Their lived-experience-led model strengthens belonging, economic stability, and intergenerational opportunity for immigrant communities.
ABOUT VERITY CREDIT UNION
Verity Credit Union is one of Washington State’s longest-standing credit unions, putting people, the planet, and prosperity for all above the bottom line. Our mission is to make meaningful, positive, and lasting change by partnering with our members and communities to co-create solutions. As a socially responsible financial institution, about 87% of our deposits support the local economy and members with loans, big and small, to improve the well-being of businesses and individuals, especially those who have been historically left out of the financial system. We are one of a few financial institutions with a Black woman CEO and a leadership team and board that identify predominantly as female, allowing us to embody the change we’re working towards. Together, we can create stronger, healthier, more sustainable communities by making people-centric decisions.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
