Giving back to the people of Colorado
For 65+ years, Ent has supported the philanthropic efforts of nonprofits across the Colorado communities we serve. Now as Wings Credit Union, we remain deeply rooted in Colorado and committed to continuing that local impact for years to come.
Philanthropy in Colorado: Wings gives back
Our commitment to service goes beyond our owner-members. We regularly support nonprofits in the communities we serve, as well as those with statewide reach. How we support the communities we serve is consistent with our culture and values while also reflecting our membership and strategic plan.
$3 million
Wings donations as Ent in 2025 to serve Colorado communities.
$300k in 2026
Awarded to 123 Colorado nonprofits through Ent's Youth Endowment Series (YES) grants program, and more than $3 million has been awarded since the program's inception.
68 years
Wings has supported the philanthropic efforts of the many nonprofits in the communities we serve as Ent.
The Wings Credit Union Foundation: Creating brighter futures
The Wings Credit Union Foundation helps people and communities thrive by supporting nonprofits that provide essential resources and opportunities. Focused on youth success, education and stronger communities, the Foundation supports programs that provide housing, food, mental and behavioral health services, education and community connections. Through grants, partnerships and volunteerism, the Foundation helps people build stability and create brighter futures.
How we support Colorado communities
Generally, Wings provides funding to various nonprofits that fall into any of the following impact categories:
Youth
Primary program impact focuses on children and young people, with an emphasis on early childhood development, mental and behavioral health, and access to essential needs such as stable housing and nutritious food.
Education
Primary program impact supports financial education and lifelong learning at all levels, with a focus on programs that equip individuals, especially high school and college students, with the knowledge and tools to build strong financial futures. This includes support for scholarships at colleges and universities.
Community
Primary program impact addresses major community issues with a focus on community enrichment, attainable housing, food insecurity, homelessness and/or poverty.
Legacy
Primary program impact does not fit into any categories above but may continue to receive support based on our heritage.
If your organization serves these needs, please review our credit union contribution guidelines and foundation contribution guidelines before applying.
Help us fight hunger this September
One in eight Coloradans* faces food insecurity. Rising costs are challenging everyone. But every day, too many of our neighbors face a difficult choice: How to stretch their budget while putting nutritious food on the table.
This Hunger Action Month, join Wings in supporting communities across Colorado. We’ve committed $100,000 to hunger-relief organizations. You can help by donating to a nonprofit partner from the list below or by making a nonperishable food donation. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.
Suggested food donations include peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned fruit, soup, pasta, rice, macaroni & cheese, shelf-stable milk, cereal, oatmeal, beans, canned tuna and canned chicken. You can drop them off at any Wings Service Center.
*Statistic courtesy of Feeding America®
Where to donate
Wings Credit Union Donates $2.5 Million to Support ENT Care at Children's Hospital Colorado
More than a financial institution, Wings Credit Union has committed $2.5 million to the ENT department at Children's Colorado. As two leaders in Colorado, our partnership spans more than 37 years. Elevating our partnership to this level includes establishing an endowed chair at Children's Colorado, and Dr. Soham Roy was named inaugural chairholder.
Wings YES Grants
We see young people as crucial to the present and future success of our communities. That's why, after nearly 30 years, we're still proudly approving Youth Endowment Series (YES) Grants to nonprofit agencies that benefit youth in the communities we serve.
Since we began in 2000, Ent YES Grants, now Wings YES Grants, totaling more than $3 million, have helped over 360 Colorado nonprofits serve children of all ages in crucial and life-changing ways.
How to apply for funding
Wings provides funding to various nonprofits that fall into any of the following impact categories:
- Youth: Primary program impact focuses on children and young people, with an emphasis on early childhood development, mental and behavioral health, and access to essential needs such as stable housing and nutritious food.
- Education: Primary program impact supports financial education and lifelong learning at all levels, with a focus on programs that equip individuals, especially high school and college students, with the knowledge and tools to build strong financial futures. This includes support for scholarships at colleges and universities.
- Community: Primary program impact addresses major community issues with a focus on community enrichment, attainable housing, food insecurity, homelessness and/or poverty.
- Legacy: Primary program impact does not fit into any categories above but may continue to receive support based on our heritage.
To apply, you must submit an application through Wings’ online grant portal. Requests and/or applications submitted through email and mail will not be accepted.
The funding application includes, but is not limited to:
- Nonprofit details and program information
- Geographic impact
- Community impact if funding is given
- Volunteer information for Wings employees
- Prior exposure and/or relationship with Wings
For assistance navigating the application portal, please contact the Community Impact Team at communityadvocacy@ent.com.
Funding requests are reviewed by the Community Advocacy Decision Committee on a quarterly basis. Collectively, the committee reviews the application and scores the application based on Wings’ guidelines, impact categories (see step A above) and a decision matrix to determine an amount to award the requester, if any. The decision matrix includes criteria such as:
- Geographical reach
- Due diligence and impact if funding was awarded
- Volunteer opportunities available
Once the Decision Committee meets, nonprofit organizations will receive an email from Wings regarding their decision. If awarded, a check will be delivered through Benevity.
Wings Credit Union reviews funding requests quarterly during committee meetings held on the first Wednesday of March, June, September, and December. To be considered during a specific funding cycle, applications must be submitted at least seven (7) business days prior to the scheduled committee review meeting. Applications received after the deadline will automatically be carried forward and reviewed during the next quarterly funding cycle.
