Washington State Credit Union to Give $100,000 in Grants to Local Heroes

The $4.6 billion Gesa Credit Union in Richland, Wash., is supporting local firefighters, law enforcement personnel, teachers and veterans through its newly-launched Local Heroes Grant Program, the credit union announced Wednesday.

Applicants can seek a grant worth up to $5,000 from Gesa’s $100,000 pool it has allotted for the program. In the week prior to the program’s June 9 launch, Gesa gave five $1,000 spark donations to the following organizations that support local heroes: The Foundation for Edmonds School District in Lynwood, Wash.; the Walla Walla Fire Department in Walla Walla, Wash.; the Volunteers of America Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho in Spokane, Wash.; the Pasco Police Department Foundation in Pasco, Wash.; and the Wellness House, an organization supporting individuals with life-challenging illnesses and their families in Yakima, Wash.

“Gesa recognizes local heroes who serve our communities across Washington State and we are always looking for new ways to honor the hard work they’ve done for us all,” Gesa President/CEO Don Miller stated. “The new Gesa Grant Program gives us a chance to expand on the number of local organizations we can support, so that these organizations have more resources that will best serve our local heroes.”

To qualify for a grant, applicants must provide proof the grant money requested will directly support one of Gesa’s outlined Local Heroes populations in a Gesa community, which is defined as a community where Gesa has a physical location, the credit union said. The application can be accessed here.

Gesa serves nearly 263,000 members from 26 branches across Washington State and 12 student-run high school branches.