2015’s Community Grants Announced!
Five community grants totaling $50,000 have been awarded by Coast Central Credit Union. This was announced today by Dean G. Christensen, the credit union’s President/CEO. To date, the credit union has awarded $800,000 to 67 worthwhile community organizations. As part of its Community Investment Program, the credit union’s volunteer Board of Directors approved the following community awards:
- $24,923 to Hospice of Humboldt to support the purchase of medical care related equipment for the new Ida Emmerson Hospice House, a 12 bed facility scheduled to open in 2016
- $9,527 to the Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District to support the purchase of music equipment to serve the needs of K-12 students in Willow Creek, Hoopa, and rural outlying areas
- $7,500 to the Bridgeville Community Center, to support the purchase of computers and printers for the community access area of the community center, as well as the administrative office
- $6,300 to the Forgotten Initiative—Lifesong for Orphans, to support the development of two visitation rooms at the new Foster Care Resource Center in Eureka, providing foster parents and child welfare staff a safe neutral space for visits between foster children and their biological parents
- $1,750 to the Riparian Education Alliance/Humboldt LIVE, to support the purchase of updated computer equipment to support the administration of Humboldt LIVE programs, an initiative focused on helping Humboldt students learn job and career readiness skills
According to Dean G. Christensen, “the Coast Central Community Investment Program commits $100,000 each year to assist community organizations throughout Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties. This $100,000 is divided into two separate ‘rounds’ of $50,000 each. Individual awards range generally from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000 and are granted to approximately three to six organizations during each round.” Christensen also stated that, “On behalf of our membership, our Board, management and staff, I’m very proud that we’re able to give back to the communities we serve. This level of giving by the credit union will provide these organizations the necessary stimulus to do special projects and offset budget shortfalls that have become so common in recent years.”
This program, started in February 2008, is in addition to the numerous contributions and donations already made to community organizations throughout the year. Recommendations from a pool of requests were made to the credit union’s Board of Directors by a committee comprised of credit union staff. Christensen stated, “Coast Central would also like to recognize and thank the Humboldt Area Foundation and Director of Grantmaking, Sara Dronkers for assistance in our selection process.”
The first round of community grants by the credit union for 2016 is beginning now. Applications for grant requests can be obtained online at coastccu.org or by contacting the credit union at (707) 445-8801, ext. 309. You can also contact the Humboldt Area Foundation. The deadline for this round is Monday, February 29th, 2016.