Folsom, Calif. – (Aug. 17, 2022) – The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) named SAFE Credit Union as a state winner of its annual award recognizing outstanding support for philanthropic programs. With the award, SAFE is nominated to receive national accolades from the association.
The association awarded the credit union a Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award recognizing the credit union’s 2021 grant program that provided $120,000 in grants to organizations supporting programs focused on health, education, and veterans.
“It is an honor to lead an organization that truly cares for the communities it serves and to be recognized for those efforts,” says SAFE CEO Dave Roughton. “Our Community Relations team works diligently to ensure we are supporting nonprofits who directly change the lives throughout the Sacramento region.”
Saint John’s Program for Real Change is a comprehensive residential program that helps formerly homeless women and their children build a new life. Photo courtesy Saint John’s Program for Real Change.
The organizations SAFE supported in 2021 were Soil Born Farms of Rancho Cordova, Allegiant Giving in Rocklin, City Year of Sacramento, Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance based in Roseville, Saint John’s Program for Real Change, Junior Achievement of Sacramento, and Financial Wellness programs supported by the University Foundation at California State University, Sacramento. The grants directly benefited 7,800 Sacramento region residents.
“SAFE’s support in 2021 allowed us to help improve the livelihoods for 10 women and their children for an entire year with job training, childcare and additional services,” says Saint John’s Program for Real Change Executive Director Julie Hirota. Saint John’s annually works to reduce homelessness for up to 500 women and their families.
“We are grateful to CUNA for recognizing our advocacy to support our impact communities,” says SAFE Credit Union Community Impact Manager Amanda Merz. “Such recognition fuels our desire to eagerly support additional nonprofits in 2022 and beyond.”
The Dora Maxwell Award honors credit unions for outstanding social responsibility projects in their communities. Maxwell was an early credit union pioneer, organizing hundreds of credit unions. She developed volunteer organizer clubs and worked with organizations on behalf of those in poverty. She was one of the original signers of CUNA’s constitution in 1934.
CUNA is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 130 million consumer members.
City Year Sacramento volunteers work closely to support area students. Photo courtesy City Year Sacramento.
SAFE annually awards $120,000 in grants in four phases focusing on its three pillars of philanthropy: veterans, healthcare, and education. For more information on SAFE Credit Union’s grants program, go to www.safecu.org/community/community-impact/funding.
For media assistance or to speak to SAFE Community Impact Manager Amanda Merz, please contact SAFE Public Relations and Communications Specialist Robyn Eifertsen at (916) 792-1284 or [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 $4.5 billion in assets and about 242,000 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 services 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