Founded by Group Health doctors in 1948, Salal Credit Union has been serving the healthcare industry for nearly 70 years. With our deep roots in healthcare and many of our members working in medical fields, supporting public health and healthcare professionals is a natural focus for Salal’s charitable giving efforts.
Since 2012 we have committed to giving at least 5% of our net income to making a positive impact in areas such as scientific research, access to affordable healthcare, and career development for nurses and others working in the healthcare and biomedical industries.
Through direct support from Salal Credit Union and from the Salal Foundation, we have provided over $330,000 in donations to charitable and educational causes within the communities we serve.
In order to ensure our support makes the biggest possible impact, we partner with organizations within the healthcare community whose mission, ethics, and values align with our own. We have teamed up with groups and institutions such as the King County Nurses Association, HealthPoint, Swedish Medical Center Foundation, and Northwest Kidney Centers, among others.
Our support often takes the form of scholarships to nurses, grants, and continuing education opportunities, such as a recent “Poverty Immersion” event designed to provide healthcare professionals with a better understanding of how poverty impacts their patients.
Beyond career development, previous Salal grants, in conjunction with King County Nurses Association, have supported opportunities such as nurse visits and infant care training for pregnant women in need and an initiative to provide socks to homeless individuals.
Over the last five years, Salal has given $113,500 in scholarships and grants, and another $176,000 in other charitable donations.
Along with monetary support, Salal often provides employees or members of our partner organizations with special offers on financial services and low-cost financing, as well as budgeting, retirement, and investment guidance—all aimed at enhancing financial health and wellbeing.
We look forward to continuing to grow our relationships with our partners in the coming years, and continuing our mission to make a positive difference in our communities.