Business Partner Spotlight
Business Partner Spotlight: Rogue Credit Union
July 22, 2026
Community partners like Rogue Credit Union help make our mission possible every day.
Since 1956, Rogue Credit Union has grown from a small, member-owned cooperative founded by ten Southern Oregon educators into one of the region's largest financial institutions, serving more than 245,000 members across southern Oregon, western Idaho, and now northern California. While Rogue has grown tremendously over the decades, its mission has remained rooted in a simple idea: people helping people. Rogue believes that investing in local communities is just as important as providing financial services.
That commitment has made Rogue Credit Union a valued partner of Living Opportunities for nearly two decades. Through sponsorships, volunteerism, and Supported Employment, Rogue has demonstrated that investing in people strengthens the entire community.
Community involvement as a way of life
For Benji Fargason, Community Outreach & Business Partnerships Manager at Rogue Credit Union, giving back isn't simply something the organization does. It's part of who they are.
"Community involvement is imperative," he said. "It's really at the root, the foundation of what credit unions in general are based on... We really take that to heart in how we approach everything we do within the communities that we serve."
That philosophy comes to life in countless ways throughout Southern Oregon. Rogue sponsors community events, supports local nonprofits, encourages employee volunteerism, and gives staff meaningful opportunities to regularly volunteer at community events, parks, schools, and nonprofit organizations throughout the region.
One recent example was the United Way Day of Caring, when a team from Rogue spent the morning at Harley House, a Living Opportunities residential home. In just a couple of hours, volunteers assembled raised garden beds, planted a tree, added landscaping, and transformed the outdoor space for the people who live there.
For Benji, those opportunities aren't separate from Rogue's mission. They are the mission.
"Our primary advertising is community involvement," Benji said with a smile. "The highest compliment we can get is when somebody says, 'Rogue is everywhere!' That means we're doing what we're trying to do, be involved and give back."
"Community involvement is imperative. It's really the root, the foundation of what credit unions in general are based on. We really take that to heart in how we approach everything we do within the communities that we serve."
— Benji Fargason, Rogue Credit Union
A wonderful team from Rogue Credit Union volunteered their time and energy to help improve the outdoor space at Harley House.
Creating Opportunities Through Supported Employment
One of the longest-standing examples of Rogue Credit Union's commitment to community is its partnership with Living Opportunities' Supported Employment program.
The relationship began nearly 20 years ago and continues to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Christi McGonigal, Facilities Manager at Rogue Credit Union, has worked alongside employees supported by Living Opportunities for more than a decade. She says the partnership has shown that creating an inclusive workplace is about more than hiring—it's about building the relationships and support that help people succeed.
Living Opportunities job coaches partner with employees and their supervisors, providing guidance, answering questions, and helping ensure long-term success. That collaborative approach has helped Rogue Credit Union create meaningful employment opportunities while fostering a workplace where everyone can contribute and thrive.
For Christi, the program demonstrates what's possible when businesses invest in inclusive employment, creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build meaningful careers while strengthening the workplace for everyone.
A Culture Where Everyone Belongs
One person who has experienced the impact of this partnership firsthand is Eric Thompson. Through Living Opportunities' Supported Employment program, Eric has been a valued member of Rogue Credit Union's facilities team for years.
"I love working with the people I meet at Rogue Credit Union. And I'm glad that I have this job because it makes me feel like I'm being productive with my time and that I'm making a difference. And that I'm a valuable team member."
For Eric, meaningful employment is about more than having a job. It's about contributing to a team, building relationships, and knowing his work has value.
"Eric is just an absolute delight," Benji said. "He's very enthusiastic, volunteers a lot... He has very much embraced the Rogue culture, and the Rogue culture is just a great fit for him as well."
Eric Thompson is a valued team member at Rogue Credit Union.
A Commitment to Community
For Living Opportunities, stories like Eric's demonstrate what is possible when employers are willing to invest in people. For Rogue Credit Union, they are simply another expression of the organization's commitment to community.
"I think it's just an extension of our community focus," Benji said. "To not be involved in that would be to leave out a portion of our community that needs support."
He hopes people recognize that community inclusion benefits everyone.
"Being given opportunities and support means everything," Benji said. "That's the difference between people feeling included and having the chance to be involved, or not."
For nearly twenty years, Rogue Credit Union has helped create those opportunities. Through sponsorships, volunteer service, and a steadfast commitment to inclusive employment, the organization continues to demonstrate that when businesses invest in people, they help build stronger communities for everyone.