Wings Credit Union Foundation expands community impact, launches in Colorado with $250,000 investment in Early Connections
Foundation’s first major Colorado gift supports new childcare center at Bradley Ridge affordable housing community in Southeast Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Wings Credit Union Foundation expanded its community impact Tuesday by announcing a $250,000 commitment to Early Connections Learning Centers, it’s first major gift in Colorado. The funding will help expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare at a new Early Connections childcare facility planned for the Bradley Ridge affordable housing community in southeast Colorado Springs.
The investment reflects Wings Credit Union’s longstanding commitment to local communities and marks a new chapter in that work through the Wings Credit Union Foundation.
"Access to childcare affects nearly every part of a community's health and economic vitality," said Annie Snead, Wings Credit Union vice president of community impact and Wings Credit Union Foundation executive director. "When families can access affordable, high-quality childcare, children are set up for success and parents are better able to participate in the workforce. The Foundation builds on Wings’ longstanding community impact by bolstering support for organizations like Early Connections.”
Wings Credit Union CEO Chad Graves further commented, “Continuing to engage in ways that strengthen our local roots, investment and care for community was a priority in our merger of equals. We are pleased to expand the Wings Credit Union Foundation to support Colorado communities and organizations like Early Connections.”
The investment, which will be distributed over three years, marks the Foundation's first major philanthropic gift in Colorado and follows the merger of Wings and Ent Credit Union. As the merged credit union brings together decades of investment and impact in its local communities, the Foundation expands opportunities to support local nonprofits and community priorities.
The gift also comes as El Paso County continues to face a significant childcare shortage. Community leaders estimate the region needs approximately 17,000 additional childcare slots to meet the needs of local families.
“Bradley Ridge represents what is possible when we think cohesively about what families need to thrive,” said Liz Denson, Early Connections President & CEO. “Affordable housing is one piece of that equation, and access to affordable high quality early childhood education is another. Wings Credit Union Foundation’s generous $250,000 investment in Early Connections will specifically support the early childhood education component of this project, helping ensure that families have access to exceptional care and education for their children right where they live. We are incredibly grateful to Wings Credit Union Foundation for recognizing that investing in children is also an investment in working families, economic stability, and the future of our community.”
This investment builds on a longstanding partnership between Early Connections and Wings, previously Ent. Most notably, in 2023, Ent made a $225,000 investment supporting the development of the Alice Bemis Taylor Center for Early Childhood Education, which opened earlier this year. Now, through the Foundation, Wings is building on that commitment and expanding its support for local families.
Tuesday's “Gathering for Good” event at Wings headquarters in Colorado Springs brought together dozens of local community impact leaders, including Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade. It also featured an interactive art experience led by Colorado Springs artist Molly McClure. The completed artwork will be displayed at Early Connections as a symbol of partnership, opportunity, and community investment.
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Media Note: A selection of photos from Tuesday’s event are attached for editorial use (credit: Wings Credit Union).
About Early Connections Learning Centers
Founded in 1897, Early Connections Learning Centers is Colorado’s oldest nonprofit provider of early care and education. For nearly 130 years, Early Connections has provided high quality, comprehensive early care and education while supporting the working families who depend on reliable childcare. Today, Early Connections serves children from six weeks through age 16 across the Pikes Peak region. The organization has the capacity to serve more than 270 children across its infant, toddler, preschool and school-age programs.
Early Connections operates three full-day, year-round early learning centers and full-day summer programming for school-age children. Its reach extends beyond its centers through the Home Network, a network of licensed family child care homes, and Court Care of the Pikes Peak Region, a free drop-in child care program located at the El Paso County Courthouse. Together, these programs provide children with high quality early learning experiences while giving parents the reliable care they need to work, pursue education and build stability for their families. For more information, visit EarlyConnections.org.
About Wings Credit Union Foundation
The Wings Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people and communities thrive. Founded in 2010, the Foundation empowers individuals through education, financial well-being initiatives, scholarships, volunteerism, and support during times of need. Guided by the belief that opportunity should be within reach for everyone, the Foundation invests in programs and partnerships that strengthen communities across the Wings Credit Union service area, which primarily includes Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia, and Michigan. For more information, visit: WingsCU.com/Foundation.
About Wings Credit Union
Wings Credit Union and Ent Credit Union united in a merger of equals on Jan. 1, 2026, creating a stronger, member-focused financial cooperative serving nearly 1 million members with approximately $20 billion in assets. Wings operates with dual headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Apple Valley, Minnesota.
As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, Wings offers robust digital banking capabilities and a full suite of financial solutions, including more than 90 physical service centers across several states. Wings is known for exceptional member service and invests in the communities it serves through philanthropy, education, and programs that support long-term financial well-being. Wings was recognized by Newsweek in its America’s Best Credit Unions 2026 list.
Wings is an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Lender, federally insured by NCUA. Learn more at WingsCO.com.
