Ent Credit Union invests $1 million in innovative housing solutions
Tree planting and ceremonial signing mark transformational partnership with We Fortify
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Community roots grew a little deeper Friday morning as Ent Credit Union and We Fortify gathered with volunteers and supporters for a celebratory tree planting and ceremonial signing at Working Fusion at Mill Street. The event marked the official announcement of Ent’s 5-year grant totaling $1 million to We Fortify, a nonprofit providing attainable housing and intentional community building in Colorado Springs.
The funding supports the development of two transformative village communities addressing housing issues in the Pikes Peak Region:
● Prospect Village, which will provide missing middle housing solutions by way of tiny homes offered to essential public service professionals such as teachers, nurses, and first responders.
● The Village at Giberson, providing tiny homes and comprehensive support for young adults (18-25) at risk of homelessness. Beyond housing, the program will offer job training, therapy, and mentorship to address underlying issues. Most residents graduate with living-wage jobs and the skills to maintain independent, fulfilling lives.
“This gift from Ent is more than just financial support,” said Shelley Jensen, Founder and CEO of We Fortify. “It’s a vote of confidence toward what’s possible when we believe in people and build places where they can belong, grow, and thrive.”
Annie Snead, Executive Director of Philanthropy at Ent Credit Union, joined Jensen in signing a symbolic grant agreement before a crowd of Ent employees and community members. Ent volunteers later planted a tree onsite to signify the shared commitment to building something lasting, starting with roots in the community.
“At Ent, we believe that financial well-being starts with stability, and that includes having a safe, supportive place to call home,” said Snead. “With home prices and interest rates climbing over the last several years and wages struggling to keep pace, too many Coloradans are finding that stability out of reach. We’re proud to support We Fortify’s vision because these communities don’t just offer housing, they offer hope, opportunity, and a foundation for long-term financial success.”
The collaboration between Ent and We Fortify reflects a growing momentum around community-centered housing efforts in Colorado Springs, where rising costs and systemic barriers continue to impact those working essential jobs or aging out of support systems. Ent also supports residents in We Fortify’s villages with free financial education.
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Media note: Photos and video clips from Friday’s event, including the signing ceremony, site photos, and tree planting, are available for editorial use: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YttTHZc9rpfYtFG5qrAX6xxVgPLV4q7g?usp=drive_link (credit: We Fortify).
About Ent Credit Union
Founded in 1957, Ent is Colorado’s largest credit union, serving more than 550,000 members with nearly $10 billion in assets and 60 service centers across the Front Range. As a not-for-profit, community-chartered credit union, Ent is committed to improving members’ financial quality of life through better rates, lower fees, and exceptional products and services. Recognized by Newsweek as one of the best regional credit unions of 2025, Ent continues to expand its philanthropic impact, with more than $3 million in donations planned for Colorado nonprofits this year. Ent is an Equal Housing Opportunity and Equal Opportunity Lender, federally insured by the NCUA.
About We Fortify
We Fortify builds intentional living communities for young adults and essential workers experiencing housing instability, blending affordable housing with robust wraparound support. Learn more at wefortify.org