FirstBank, the nation’s third-largest privately held bank with numerous banking locations in Arizona, announced that it has donated $500,000 to multiple youth education nonprofits, including: $300,000 to the Arizona Leadership Foundation (ALF), $190,000 to Catholic Education Arizona (CEA), and $10,000 to Arizona Tuition Connection.
The donations to all three organizations will help provide scholarships to low-income families and families with displaced/disabled children, allowing them to send their child to any K-12 school, within the state.
“Parents should not feel financially burdened when it comes to educating their kids,” said Joel Johnson, FirstBank’s East Valley Market President. “We hope this donation will alleviate concerns for some local families and enable their children to get the best education possible.”
“I cannot underestimate the importance of companies, like FirstBank, who are making strategic investments in our schools and toward the future of Arizona’s children,” said Maureen Adams, president and CEO of Catholic Education Arizona, Arizona’s largest School Tuition Organization (STO). “We’re grateful for FirstBank’s commitment to our students and their families.”
“FirstBank’s generosity will directly benefit and empower numerous families with educational choices across Arizona,” added Aaron Muth, president of Arizona Leadership Foundation. “We’re thrilled that this contribution will give more students – from all walks of life – a chance at a bright future.”
Since 2000, FirstBank has contributed nearly $57 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable organizations, leading it to be recognized as a top philanthropist in the state. FirstBank is a corporate partner for Arizona Gives Day, which has raised over $10 million for state nonprofits since its inception in 2013.
