FOLSOM, Calif. – (Jan. 21, 2022) – SAFE awarded $120,000 in grants to seven nonprofits in 2021 to support programs designed to improve the lives of more than 7,800 residents of the Greater Sacramento region.
The grants continue to support programs in career opportunities for veterans, financial proficiency, as well as health and wellness. The credit union is set to provide further support to the community in 2022 with another $120,000 to be distributed in four rounds of grant funding.
In 2021, SAFE awarded grants to Soil Born Farms, Allegiant Giving, City Year of Sacramento, Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance, Saint John’s Shelter for Real Change, Junior Achievement of Sacramento, and the University Foundation at Sacramento State. The grants illustrate SAFE’s commitment to its three pillars of philanthropy: veterans, education, and health, says SAFE Credit Union Community Impact Manager Amanda Merz.
“Through the variety of these programs, we are able to broadly reach others in all three of the areas these grants were intended to impact throughout our community,” Merz says. “Each program strongly and directly changes the lives of those they support.”
Combined, the programs supported by the grants benefit approximately 7,815 people.
Soil Born Farms
Soil Born Farms, a nonprofit urban agriculture and education project in Rancho Cordova, used the grant for its Veteran Field Days. These events introduce hundreds of veterans to careers in sustainable agriculture while providing restorative experiences. Up to 40 participants will be encouraged to engage in continued agriculture skills building opportunities at Soil Born Farms, including applying to the accredited Farmer Apprentice program run by Soil Born Farms’ partners at Center for Land-Based Learning.
Allegiant Giving
Allegiant Giving based in Rocklin used its grant to pay for veterans’ certification tests through its Patriot U online education program. The program is part of the nonprofit’s commitment to supporting U.S. military veterans in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. The grant supports up to 1,500 veterans. Patriot U provides access to more than 5,000 courses from leading universities and certifying bodies free of charge to veterans.
Collage depicting the many efforts by Allegiant Giving to support area military veterans.
City Year Sacramento
City Year, whose mission is to fill gaps in education often caused by inequity and poverty, is using the grant to bring its Whole School Whole Child program to six partner schools in the Sacramento City Unified School District – and an estimated 3,200 students. The program focuses on social and emotional development issues brought on in-part by the pandemic.
City Year Volunteers work closely in enhancing education for Sacramento area students.
Junior Achievement of Sacramento
Junior Achievement is using their funding on direct program costs to expand their reach beyond 500 students by offering innovative and interactive ways to better understand how businesses operate and how to explore their talents and interests for potential future careers and educational pursuits.
Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance
The nonprofit that provides support services to 1,500 children diagnosed with cancer and their families will use their funds for the Family Navigator Program that provides services including joy-filled experiences and travel solutions.
Saint John’s Program for Real Change
Saint John’s, which annually works to reduce homelessness for up to 500 women and their families, is focusing their funding to directly support 10 women and their children for an entire year by providing job training, childcare, and additional services.
University Foundation at Sacramento State
The University Foundation at Sacramento State is using the funding to reach up to 575 students and adult learners through its Financial Wellness program that provides one-on-one confidential sessions, customized classroom presentations and campus-wide workshops covering budgeting, paying for college, credit, savings, healthy habits, and more. A portion of the funding will also support scholarships.
2022 Grant Program
In 2022, SAFE will provide grants in four phases focusing on a specific aspect of SAFE’s philanthropic priorities. SAFE will fund up to $20,000 to organizations with programs supporting military personnel seeking civilian careers; mental health initiatives; financial capability and educational programs; and programs dedicated to curbing health inequities in the Sacramento region. Programming should include quality education, raising awareness, and developing clear revenue models so the program can continue to help people for many years to come. The first application deadline is February 15. For more information on SAFE Credit Union’s grants program, go to www.safecu.org/community/community-impact/funding, or email [email protected].
About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading financial institution in Northern California with $4.3 billion in assets and about 245,000 members. SAFE crafts every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking services conveniently available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person care for members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region. SAFE is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org