Since launching the Local Causes Visa Debit Card program in 2020, Arizona Federal Credit Union has supported more than 50 unique nonprofits throughout Metro-Phoenix. Today, the local-credit union announced the next ‘class’ of nine nonprofits to receive grants which support hyper-local efforts in the community. Total grants gifted this round total $29,500 with overall program totaling nearly $110,000 going directly to nonprofits with operating budgets of under $2M annually.
Like other debit card programs offered by Arizona Federal, each time a credit union member makes a purchase with their debit card, they donate to a community fund that supports the grant program. The Spring 2022 grantees support a broad range of impactful initiatives to support parents with medically fragile children, literacy and education, healthcare support for those experiencing life-changing events, animal therapy and more.
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Here are the nine recipients: Willow Tree Foundation, Kids Need to Read, Scott Foundation, Pawsitive Friendships, Cancer Support Community AZ, Backpacks 4 Kids, Lung Transplant Support Organization, Homicide Survivors, Inc., Ripple PHX.
“Seeing the response to this giveback program twice a year reassures us that Local Causes truly highlights the impact each individual organization has on the local Arizona community, said Rachel Galvez, Marketing Partnerships Manager at Arizona Federal. “By showcasing different nonprofit organizations each round we hope to further unite our Arizona community by reinvesting in these organizations.”
A departure from prior rounds of funding, representatives from the credit union’s employee resource groups participated in the selection of the Local Causes grant recipients, giving employees the chance to participate directly in the impact Arizona Federal has on its community.
To join the group of nonprofits supported by the Local Causes initiative, each organization must have an operating budget under $2M and meet the criteria surrounding Arizona Federal’s focus on education, community services, equality/social inclusion, children and youth, and sustainability.
“The financial support gathered for these organizations is the result of our member-owners making daily purchases on their Local Causes Visa® Debit Cards, as each small transaction adds up to make a huge difference to these organizations. Programs like Local Causes really highlight the true value of community and how our individual contributions can build up to make a meaningful impact,” said Manny Garcia, Employee Experience Specialist with Arizona Federal Credit Union and ERG group member on the selection committee. “Organizations receiving this round of grants represent a variety of causes, including supporting lung transplant patients and their caregivers, reducing the impact of HIV, helping children discover the joy of reading and serving Arizona’s foster youth, which are important topics to our employees.”
Arizona Federal will continue to distribute the bi-annual gifts to hyper-local nonprofits to further their community support efforts. For more information about Arizona Federal and the Local Causes give back program, please visit http://www.ArizonaFederal.org/Community.
