STCU, Foundation End 2023 with $70k to Local Organizations

STCU continued its tradition of year-end giving with surprise gifts of $10,000 each to Columbia Basin College and WSU Tri-Cities, to assist students with financial needs. The credit union’s philanthropic arm, the STCU Here for Good Foundation, also made donations to Benton-Franklin schools, Forge Youth Mentoring, B5, and Grace Kitchen.
 
The donations, totaling $70,000, are part of STCU’s annual Season of Giving tradition. In addition to the Tri-Cities gifts, donations are being made to non-profit organizations across Eastern Washington, the Columbia Basin, and North Idaho, with a particular emphasis on education and workforce development.
 
“STCU members like to know that their credit union is helping organizations that are committed to the success and growth of their communities,” said Ezra Eckhardt, STCU President and CEO. “And with costs remaining high for so many, we know that these donations will be appreciated.”

STCU Here for Good Foundation
Early in 2023, STCU partnered with the Innovia Foundation to launch the STCU Here for Good Foundation, cementing the credit union’s ongoing philanthropic commitment to education, arts and culture, and economic development. The foundation has set a goal of reaching a $10 million endowment within 10 years.

STCU donations:

• $10,000 to Columbia Basin College.
• $10,000 to WSU Tri-Cities.

 
STCU Here for Good Foundation donations:

• $20,000 to B5, which delivers education and cultural integration programs to the Tri-Cities refugee community.
• $10,000 to Communities in Schools of Benton-Franklin, to support their mission of student success.
• $10,000 to Forge Youth Mentoring, which facilitates 1:1 mentoring programs between generations.
• $10,000 to Grace Kitchen, a nonprofit that offers job training, employment, and empowerment to marginalized women in the community.

 
In addition, STCU employees who served at least 12 volunteer hours at a single organization were invited to apply for a Volunteers Count grant on behalf of that organization. As a result, STCU is delivering $75,000 in total donations this year, on behalf of nearly 450 employees who logged more than 12,000 volunteer hours in 2023.
 
STCU’s Volunteers Count program offers employees 16 hours of paid time each year for volunteerism. The credit union encourages further volunteer activity by providing flexible schedules, leadership training at all levels, and other support to help them make a community impact.