COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Ent Credit Union has announced a $1-million, five-year grant to We Fortify, a nonprofit that provides attainable housing and intentional community building in Colorado Springs.
To mark the occasion, representatives from the credit union and We Fortify held a celebratory tree planting and ceremonial signing at Working Fusion at Mill Street.
The $10.3-billion Ent said the funding will support 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, Ent said.
‘More Than Financial Support’
“This gift from Ent is more than just financial support,” Shelley Jensen, founder and CEO of We Fortify, said in a statement. “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 CU said its volunteers later planted a tree onsite to signify the shared commitment to building something lasting, starting with roots in the community.
‘Stability Out of Reach’
“At Ent, we believe that financial well-being starts with stability, and that includes having a safe, supportive place to call home,” said Snead in a statement. “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.”
