Coast Central Credit Union Awards $50,000 in Community Grants; Announces $200,000 for 2018
Eureka – Coast Central Credit Union (CCCU) President/CEO James T. Sessa, announced that its Board of Directors has approved $50,000 in grants to six local organizations as part of its Community Investment Program:
- $11,000: Humboldt County Special Olympics for transportation and lodging costs for its athletes
- $10,000: Farmers Market’s North Coast Growers Association for a truck for operations and safety equipment
- $10,000: Trinity Food Outreach to expand the food bank and replace the refrigeration/freezer unit
- $7,000: Blue Lake School for Chromebooks for a classroom
- $7,000: Humboldt Bay Fire Department for a thermal imaging camera
- $5,000: Humboldt Library Foundation for children’s books
Sessa also announced that with the retirement of former President/CEO Dean G. Christensen, the Board of Directors is renaming the program in his honor: “CCCU Dean G. Christensen Community Investment Program”, and doubling the annual contribution amount from a total of $100,000 to $200,000 in 2018. Christensen served the credit union and community some 28 years, founding the giving program in 2008. Since then, $1,000,000 has been awarded to nearly 90 organizations throughout Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity counties.
“Going forward, we are excited about the significant increase to $200,000 to be able to assist deserving local organizations,” Sessa stated. “On behalf of our Board of Directors, management, and staff, I’m very proud to give back to the communities we serve because of the support of our 66,000 members. This level of giving will provide these organizations the necessary stimulus to do special projects and offset budget shortfalls that have become so common in recent years.”
Earlier this fall, a committee comprised of credit union staff reviewed a pool of requests totaling $250,000, and then made recommendations to the Board of Directors who ultimately approved the grants. Sessa stated, “Coast Central would also like to recognize and thank Humboldt Area Foundation and Director of Grantmaking Sara Dronkers for assistance in our selection process.”
The first round of community grants for 2018 is beginning now. Applications can be obtained online at coastccu.org, by contacting VP, Marketing & Communications Colleen Toste at (707) 445-8801, ext. 309, or by calling Humboldt Area Foundation at (707) 442-2993. The deadline is Wednesday, February 28.
Founded in 1950, Coast Central Credit Union is the largest locally based member-owned financial institution on the North Coast, with over 66,000 members. It operates 12 member services branches throughout Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties, and provides access to a network of over 28,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. More information can be found on its web site at coastccu.org and at facebook.com/coastcentral.