BOWA Integrations
Justice-Impacted Integrations
Bank On Washington is teaming up with two Washington State Department of Corrections sites to launch a pilot program that teaches money skills and provides coaching during the reentry process. The pilot program will also help people open a safe and easy-to-use bank account as soon as possible. The two sites will have different structures, but the main goal is the same: to help people in this community build a healthier financial future with the support of banks, credit unions, and community financial services.
The goal of this pilot program is to help people returning to their communities by teaching them about money, offering coaching, and connecting them to safe and fair banking options as they prepare for reentry.
At a Glance
Incarcerated Individuals (As of May, 2026) | 1,536 |
| 1,069 incarcerated individuals were released in 2025 | |
| Reported as homeless at release | 187 (17%) |
| Served for more than a year | 247 (23%) |
| Supervision for less than 90 days post-release | 443 (41%) |
Right now, neither the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) nor Washington Corrections Center (WCC) keeps track of how many people have a bank account when they are released. Opening a bank account while in prison is uncommon, various laws and DOC policies mean that people are not allowed to use money from Washington State to open one while incarcerated.
Program Structure
This group of people is a great fit for a financial education series. The pilot program will include 15-20 people who are within two years of being released. The group will meet regularly over two months, spending 12-20 hours total learning together to build their money knowledge and be ready to return to their communities.
The classes will be led by a trusted community organization working alongside prison staff. Representatives from local banks and credit unions will be invited in to share their expertise on the money topic of each session and answer questions about their account options.
At a Glance
As of May, 2026 the Helen B Ratcliff Reentry Center has 24 incarcerated women who have 18 months or less until their earliest release date and are engaged in employment and housing programs as part of their reentry plan. With some restrictions, people living here may open and use an external bank account.
Program Structure
The people at this facility are busy and their schedules change a lot, so drop-in Financial Coaching with as much flexibility as possible will be the best fit. Over the two months of the pilot, trusted financial coaches can come into shared spaces at the facility for regular and drop-in coaching conversations. Because residents have different schedules and needs, coaches will need to be available at several different times throughout the week. Working alongside DOC Reentry Navigators, these financial coaches will also invite bank and credit union representatives to come on-site from time to time to help residents open bank accounts right there at the facility.
Request for Partnerships - Now Open!
Week of June 15, 2026 |
Week of July 20, 2026
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Week of August 10, 2026
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By August 31, 2026
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Proposals can be submitted online via this Microsoft Form or via email to hello@fenwa.org (Include “BOWA Proposal” in the subject line).
Proposals will be evaluated and selected based on the following criteria by a Community Review Team
Selection Criteria
In addition to the requirements for Community Partners and Financial Institutions that are included each pilot program description (pages 3-8), FEN will prioritize:
- Organizations that align with FEN’s mission and values:
- Commitment to economic justice and advancing financial thriving of their community
- Centering those most impacted by the issue being addressed
- Understanding poverty is a systemic issue, not an individual one
- Proven history of a commitment to collaboration and partnership
- Organizations with demonstrated experience in financial education, financial coaching, and financial empowerment programming
- Organizations that are trusted by their community
- Organizations that show they have the capacity to complete the requirements of the funding, including:
- Staffing and infrastructure in place
- Ability to spend the funds within the funding window
Community Review Team
Selection & Review: Comprised of 3–5 individuals who possess lived or professional experience.
Conflict of Interest: Participants on the review team are ineligible to apply for funding and must disclose relationships with applicants. Participants must review and sign FEN Conflict of Interest Form, as well as disclose any actual or perceived conflicts.
Equitable Evaluation: Review proposals based on established criteria and select the organizations that best align with community needs.
