Coast Central Community Investment Program Awards $50,000 in Community Grants, Fall 2013!

Four 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 $700,000 to 56 worthwhile community organizations. As part of its Community Investment Program, the credit union’s volunteer Board of Directors approved the following community awards:

• $22,000 to Mountain Communities Healthcare Foundation, to assist with the funding and purchase of dental practice management software, to prepare the Mountain Communities Healthcare District to re-open the Trinity Community Dental Clinic
• $19,612 to the Eel River Valley Multi-Generational Center, to assist with the funding of the Youth Entrepreneurship Conference, supporting 300 teens throughout Humboldt County
• $5,000 to the Prosperity Center, to assist with the funding of awards for the Humboldt Business Challenge, a program promoting new entrepreneurial businesses in Humboldt County
• $3,388 to the Arcata School District, to assist with the funding and installation of a climbing structure for the playground at the Arcata Elementary School Preschool

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 we already make 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 2015 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 Friday, February 27, 2015.