Portland, Ore., October 30, 2024— OnPoint Community Credit Union announced a $100,000 award to FinAbility, a Portland nonprofit providing financial education to survivors of domestic abuse. FinAbility received the donation from OnPoint as part of the second annual OnPoint Award for Financial Education Innovation. OnPoint began the annual award program in 2023 to recognize organizations in Oregon and Southwest Washington that have substantial and long-term impacts on building financial wellness in our communities.
“Imagine trying to leave an abusive relationship with less than $250 to your name,” says Stacy Sawin, Founder and Executive Director of FinAbility. “For hundreds of thousands of Oregonians, this is a devastating reality. Financial insecurity is a primary reason why survivors of domestic violence remain in or return to abusive relationships. This award will enable us to accelerate survivors’ journey to self-sufficiency and autonomy, enabling them to build a life free from violence.”
Twenty-five percent of women and 14% of men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, according to the Allstate Foundation. Financial freedom is key to helping them break free. This funding will help FinAbility hire a Program Officer to expand the nonprofit’s free, one-on-one financial mentoring program to continue helping survivors live free from domestic abuse.
Expanding access to financial education for survivors of domestic violence
OnPoint has supported FinAbility since its inception, when Hollywood branch manager Hannah Lewis connected with Sawin in 2021 and became an advisor. Since then, OnPoint has been a presenting sponsor for FinAbility’s Speak Out event, helped produce training videos for financial mentors, and provided more than $20,000 in donations. These efforts have helped FinAbility expand its one-on-one financial mentorship program for survivors, increase its discoverability online and hire a full-time chief executive officer.
“FinAbility’s innovative, trauma-informed approach is helping survivors transform their lives and build a secure future,” said Vincent Pollard, Financial Wellness Manager, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “We couldn’t be happier to support their mission and help expand these vital resources in our community.”
FinAbility provides trauma-informed financial support and one-on-one financial mentoring for survivors of domestic abuse. Its staff has expertise in tech and finance and builds digital tools that make financial education and resources accessible to survivors. To learn more about FinAbility and financial abuse, visit www.finabilityus.org. Please note these examples may be triggering and upsetting to read.
About the OnPoint Award for Financial Education Innovation
OnPoint's Financial Wellness team works with organizations like FinAbility to deliver financial education in community-based settings. OnPoint invites select organizations to apply for the award. A committee of OnPoint employees evaluates the organizations' applications for rigor and selects a winner based on community impact and innovation.
Portland Workforce Alliance (PWA) was the award’s inaugural recipient for its innovative approach to integrating financial education into career readiness programs. For more information about the OnPoint Financial Education award, visit https://www.onpointcu.com/financial-education/financial-education-innovation-award/.
ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving over 576,000 members and with assets of $9.4 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.
ABOUT FINABILITY
FinAbility is an Oregon-based nonprofit that financially empowers survivors of domestic violence, so they can break free from the cycle of abuse and thrive. In the four years since its founding, over 45,000 survivors of domestic abuse and community members have accessed FinAbility’s programming to build financial acumen, wealth, and a community of support. Survivor voices inform everything they do. Together, they're working towards a future in which everyone has the financial security to live free from violence.
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