Funding presented in partnership with the FHLB Des Moines boosts critical work of Habitat for Humanity Portland Region, Hacienda CDC, AGE+ and The Freshwater Trust
PORTLAND, Ore., May 16, 2024 — OnPoint Community Credit Union, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines today announced a $600,000 Member Impact Fund grant to four Oregon nonprofits dedicated to affordable housing and environmental conservation. The recipients are Habitat for Humanity Portland Region, Hacienda CDC, AGE+ and The Freshwater Trust.
Each organization will use its funding to enhance vital community development projects across the region. The four nonprofits receiving this funding were selected by OnPoint based on their current needs in the housing and community development space.
“Each of these organizations plays a pivotal role in fostering stability, growth and resilience in our region,” said Rob Stuart, President and CEO of OnPoint Community Credit Union. “This funding is a critical step towards enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve. We are proud to partner with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to provide these grants and invest in a brighter, more sustainable future for all Oregonians.”
How FHLB funding works
The FHLB Des Moines is a government sponsored enterprise that supports both mortgage lending and related community investment, with more than 1,200 member institutions. OnPoint’s membership means that for every dollar it donates, the FHLB Des Moines donates $3. This helps the credit union maximize its support of local nonprofits focused on economic development, affordable housing and conservation.
FHLB Des Moines’s matching grant program, which was introduced in 2023, will provide nearly $20 million to eligible organizations to strengthen communities in Oregon, Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands this year. In 2024, FHLB Des Moines increased the available grant money in its Member Impact Fund by $10 million.
“We are thrilled to see grants from our Member Impact Fund having a direct, positive impact on communities in Oregon, advancing affordable housing and community development needs in a meaningful way,” said Kris Williams, President and CEO of FHLB Des Moines.
Below are details on each of the nonprofits receiving these grants thanks to OnPoint and the FHBL Member Impact Fund partnership:
Habitat for Humanity Portland Region has built and repaired homes for over 3,000 people with low incomes across the region since 1981. Habitat has over 100 affordable housing units across the Portland Metro region under construction this year, but currently lacks the required construction support to meet the growing demand for housing. Through the Member Impact fund grant, Habitat Portland Region will receive $100,000 to add more support to help build and repair more homes.
“OnPoint Community Credit Union is a growing partner that enhances our work in many ways including volunteerism and vital funding. We are so thankful for this incredible $100,000 grant from OnPoint in collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. This funding will allow us to hire Americorps positions that will help us grow our volunteer engagement and build more homes throughout the Portland region,” said Steve Messinetti, CEO and President, Habitat for Humanity Portland Region.
Hacienda CDC is Oregon's largest Latino-led, Latino-serving housing organization. Since 1992, it has developed 12 affordable housing communities and served 2,400 people across Portland, Gresham, Molalla and Oregon City. OnPoint has provided financial support to Hacienda CDC since 2015, including donating $5,000 to the Portland Mercado Relief Fund to help vendors from its business development program affected by a fire. Hacienda CDC’s $200,000 Member Impact Fund grant will go toward the development of its new 122-unit affordable housing project in Hillsboro.
“In Hacienda’s experience, developing affordable housing is a community effort that gets us to the finish line. For example, our Dolores Affordable Housing Project was awarded through a competitive process, which included land from the City of Hillsboro and $10.5 million of capital from Portland, Oregon’s Metro Housing Bond, among several other funding sources. Even with all this support, we still have a funding gap. This investment from OnPoint will be instrumental in bridging that gap and ensuring a commitment to affordable housing in Washington County. We are truly grateful for this community partnership with OnPoint.” said Ernesto Fonseca, CEO, Hacienda CDC.
AGE+ advocates for equitable aging in Oregon by engaging in partnerships and developing innovative programs that build capacity and address the challenges and opportunities of the aging population. AGE+ has developed a creative solution that supports housing-challenged rural communities in building affordable, accessible housing for older residents. AGE+ will use its $200,000 Member Impact Fund grant to replicate their success and share their expertise with communities so more older Oregonians have a place to call home.
“This collaboration with OnPoint is a testament to our mutual dedication to innovation and equity for underserved communities. These funds ensure AGE+ can continue to roll out its modular construction approach of affordable accessible housing for older adults in a rural community, still recovering devastating wildfires,” said Stephanie Hooper, AGE+, President & CEO.
The Freshwater Trust employs advanced technology and scientific expertise to restore and protect freshwater ecosystems. The Freshwater Trust provides capacity for local groups like water districts and farmer collectives to secure and prioritize funding for high-impact conservation projects, such as upgrading irrigation systems, planting trees to provide shade and lower water temperature, and aid the recovery of endangered species. The Freshwater Trust will receive a $100,000 Member Impact Fund grant to build more capacity for its various conservation initiatives.
“This generous donation from OnPoint represents an investment in a new approach to conservation. We need to have laser focus on solutions that are big enough – and bold enough – to match the scale of the problem. The Freshwater Trust is creating a path that ensures every action translates to a positive outcome for the environment and it’s possible because of the support of organizations like OnPoint. Our mission is to preserve and restore freshwater ecosystems and we are grateful to have them as a partner,” said Kimberlee Obilana, Vice President, People & Operations, The Freshwater Trust.
About OnPoint’s Community Giving
OnPoint provides funding for nonprofits, local government-sponsored projects, educational institutions and foundations that positively impact its membership area. In 2023, OnPoint donated more than $2.5 million donated to 305 nonprofits in Oregon and Southwest Washington focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, financial education, food and shelter, climate change and youth services. For more information about OnPoint’s community giving efforts, visit https://www.onpointcu.com/community-giving/.
ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving over 554,000 members and with assets of $9 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 FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF DES MOINES
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is deeply committed to strengthening communities, serving 13 states and three U.S Pacific territories as a member-owned cooperative. We work together with over 1,200 member institutions to support affordable housing, economic development and community improvement.
FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. FHLB Des Moines is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit www.fhlbdm.com.
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