California Credit Union Foundation
Empowering Our Communities to Thrive.
California Credit Union Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation helping build a better future for our communities across Southern California through strategic charitable giving and community & educational partnerships. Serving as the philanthropic arm of California Credit Union, the Foundation leads its community outreach and support programs to make a lasting impact on the well-being of the communities it serves.
Our Mission
We work to strengthen the financial well-being of our communities by supporting non-profit partners effecting meaningful change across Southern California. Through grants, sponsorships, in-kind support, and active volunteer participation, we are focused on improving lives and empowering our communities to thrive for generations to come.
Pillars of Empowerment
California Credit Union Foundation provides grants and investment in four key pillars of long-term community empowerment.
Investing in Community & Our Youth
Supporting grassroots community organizations and empowering leaders of tomorrow through scholarships, literacy and investment in local organizations that support their health & well-being.
Supporting Educators & Schools
Providing resources to help teachers & schools thrive in our community, support students and recognize their commitment to learning.
Promoting Financial Literacy
Investing in education programs that build financial wellness for youth and adults in our communities for long-term financial empowerment.
Honoring Our Service Members
Giving strategic grants to programs that assist military service members, their families and veterans, recognizing the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes.
Giving Back
Giving Back
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CCU Foundation Congratulates the 2025 California Teachers of the Year
October 10, 2024: Congratulations to the L.A. County 2025 Teachers of the Year! CCU Foundation, the program’s Platinum Sponsor, provided a monetary prize to each awardee in recognition of their contributions to education.
Los Angeles Rookie of the Year Awards
August 28, 2024: Congratulations to the LAUSD 2024 Rookies of the Year! We created the program with LAUSD 10 years ago to recognize exceptional first-year teachers.
California Credit Union Foundation Accepting Applications For Its Biannual Teacher Grant Program
August 12, 2024: California Credit Union Foundation encourages teachers from Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties who have an innovative class project to apply for a credit union grant.
California Credit Union Foundation Encourages Teachers to Apply for Innovative Project Grants
August 14, 2024: California
Credit Union Foundation offers grants through its teacher grant program to help fund innovative class projects.
North Island Credit Union Foundation Accepting Applications For Its Biannual Teacher Grant Program
August 12, 2024: North Island Credit Union Foundation encourages San Diego County teachers who have an innovative class project to apply for a credit union grant.
North Island Credit Union Foundation Encourages Teachers to Apply for Innovative Project Grants
August 12, 2024: North Island Credit Union Foundation offers grants through its teacher grant program to help fund innovative class projects.
North Island Credit Union Foundation Provides $5,000 in Teacher Grants to Benefit Educators & Students
June 11, 2024: As part of its Spring 2024 Teacher Grant Program, North Island Credit Union Foundation has provided 10 grants of $500 each to underwrite class projects in San Diego county.
North Island Credit Union Foundation Provides Teacher Grants to Benefit Educators & Students
June 11, 2024: North Island Credit Union Foundation has awarded grants to 10 teachers in San Diego to support innovative learning opportunities as part of their annual Spring 2024 Teacher Grant Program.
California Credit Union Foundation Provides Teacher Grants to Benefit Educators & Students
June 11, 2024: California Credit Union Foundation has provided 10 grants of $500 each to underwrite class projects in Los Angeles and Ventura counties as part of its Spring 2024 Teacher Grant Program.
North Island Credit Union Foundation Partners with North County African American Women’s Association to Award College Scholarships
June 4, 2024: North Island Credit Union Foundation in partnership with North County African American Women’s Association has awarded four $2,500 scholarships to local students to assist African American women in acquiring higher education from an academic institution.
California Credit Union Foundation Awards Scholarships to Santa Clarita Valley Students
June 4, 2024: California Credit Union Foundation has awarded scholarships to two Santa Clarita Valley students from Saugus High School and West Ranch High School as part of its annual Student Scholarship Program.
California Credit Union Foundation Awards Scholarship to Long Beach High Schooler
June 4, 2024: California Credit Union Foundation awarded a $1,000.00 scholarship to Amy Vazquez from Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School in Long Beach as part of its annual Student Scholarship Program.
North Island Credit Union Foundation Presents the 2024 Innovation in Education Impact Award to Grossmont Union High School District
May 28, 2024: As a premier sponsor of the Classroom of the Future Foundation, North Island Credit Union Foundation presented the prestigious 2024 Innovation in Education Impact Award to Grossmont Union High School District for its Patient Care Pipeline Program.
San Diego Unified School District’s Classified Employee of the Year
May 14, 2024: We were proud to sponsor the San Diego Unified School District’s Classified Employee of the Year celebration. Congratulations to Heidi Fulton (2024 Classified Employee of the Year), Alfredo Rios (2024 Classified Employee Runner Up), and the other 150+ classified employees who were recognized.
North Island Credit Union Foundation Awards Scholarships to Riverside County Students
May 10, 2024: North Island Credit Union Foundation awarded scholarships to two Riverside County students as part of its annual College Scholarship Program, recognizing exceptional students in Hemet and Temecula for their school and community activities.
North Island Credit Union Foundation Co-hosts San Diego Unified Teacher of the Year Awards Event
May 7, 2024: North Island Credit Union Foundation along with San Diego Unified School District honored 2024 Teachers of the Year in a ceremony at UC San Diego’s Park and Market as part of National Teacher Appreciation Week.
North Island Credit Union Foundation Awards 10 Scholarships to College-Bound San Diego and Riverside Students
May 2, 2024: North Island Credit Union Foundation has awarded 10 scholarships of $1,000 each to college-bound students in San Diego and Riverside Counties in its annual College Scholarship Program.
California Credit Union Foundation Inaugural Day at the Races
April 26, 2024: California Credit Union Foundation hosted its inaugural fundraising Day at the Races event at Santa Anita Park to fundraise in support of our local communities.
Rookie of the Year Awards
April 11, 2024: North Island Credit Union Foundation in partnership with San Diego Unified School District is proud to recognize exceptional first-year teachers and school employees within the Greater San Diego community through its Rookie of the Year Awards program. Congratulations to the 2024 Rookies of the Year!
California Credit Union Foundation Accepting Applications for Spring Teacher Grant Program
March 11, 2024: California Credit Union Foundation has grants for Orange County teachers who have an innovative class project idea. The grant program will issue 10 grants of $500 each to area teachers in April.
California Credit Union Launches the California Credit Union Foundation
March 7, 2024: California Credit Union has launched the California Credit Union Foundation to lead its community outreach and support programs. The Foundation made its debut with a grant of $80,000 to The Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation.
California Credit Union Foundation is Accepting Applications for Spring Teacher Grant Program
March 6, 2024: California Credit Union Foundation is encouraging Pasadena teachers to apply for a credit union grant through its spring Teacher Grant Program, aiming to fund innovative class projects.
North Island Credit Union Launches Charitable Foundation
March 1, 2024: North Island Credit Union has launched the North Island Credit Union Foundation to lead its community outreach and support programs, which have totaled more than $2.5 million over the last five years.
Apply for a Grant
Interested in a grant from California Credit Union Foundation? Learn more about our grant guidelines and complete a grant request form below.
Support Our Mission
Join us in investing in the future of our communities with a tax-deductible donation. California Credit Union funds all administrative costs of the Foundation, enabling us to return 100% of donations back to the communities we serve.
Recent News
November 2024: California Credit Union Foundation Provides $5,000 in Teacher Grants to Benefit Educators and Students
November 2024: North Island Credit Union Foundation Provides $5,000 in Teacher Grants to Benefit Educators and Students
August 2024: California Credit Union Foundation Looking to Fund Innovative Teacher Projects
August 2024: North Island Credit Union Foundation Looking to Fund Innovative Teacher Projects
June 2024: California Credit Union Foundation Provides $5,000 in Teacher Grants to Benefit Educators & Students
March 2024: California Credit Union Foundation Looking to Fund Innovative Teacher Projects
March 2024: North Island Credit Union Foundation Looking to Fund Innovative Teacher Projects
February 2024: California Credit Union Launches Charitable Foundation to Support Local Community-Based Organizations & Education Institutions
February 2024: North Island Credit Union Launches Charitable Foundation to Support Local Community-Based Organizations & Education Institutions
Foundation Leadership
California Credit Union Foundation is led by President Marvel Ford and guided by its Board of Directors comprised of California Credit Union volunteers and employees. Officers and Board members serve on a volunteer basis and are not paid for their commitment.
Foundation Officers Marvel Ford, President Patrick Zarifian, Vice President Michael Farr, Secretary Cary Davidson, Treasurer | Board of Directors Marvel Ford Walton Greene Steve O’Connell Jill Vasant Patrick Zarifian |
Contact Us
Questions? Please contact us at [email protected]
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Donations to California Credit Union Foundation, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under IRS regulations.