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First Tech Routing #321180379

First Tech Federal Credit Union Awards Over $1 Million in Education Grants to 70 Nonprofit Organizations Across the West Coast

Provides Access to STEM, Literacy, and Financial Education Programs and Resources in Local Communities

SAN JOSE, Calif. and HILLSBORO, Ore. (May 10, 2021) – First Tech Federal Credit Union, the nation’s eighth largest credit union, provides more than $1 Million in funding to support education across its footprint by awarding more than $942,000 in grants to 70 nonprofit organizations and $60,000 in scholarships to 12 students. This grant funding promotes access to STEM, literacy, and financial education programs, demonstrating First Tech’s continued commitment to the communities it serves. The scholarship recipient list will be released soon in an upcoming public announcement.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, First Tech’s community partners have taken actionable steps to ensure children in underserved communities have access to equitable and inclusive educational resources and programs. This grant funding will provide community partners with the additional financial capabilities they need to continue offering their invaluable services.

“We’re proud to partner with so many organizations that are working hard to ensure students and families have equitable access to the resources, support and technology they need (to be successful),” said Nicole Frisch, First Tech’s Senior Director of Community Engagement. “This last year has been hard for students – and parents, teachers and our communities. Education is at a critical point right now and our partners are dedicated to encouraging and empowering students when they need it most.”

First Tech is committed to building strong relationships with organizations that foster an inclusive educational environment where children have the tools they need to learn and succeed. The organizations receiving funding focus on science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM), as well as literacy and financial education.

Quotes from Education Grant Partners:

Oregon partner quote from Centro Cultural de Washington County:

"Through the pandemic we have been able to continue our Robotics and Summer STEAM programs virtually with the help of First Tech,” said Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Development Director at Centro Cultural de Washington County. “This means we have not only been able to continue to build core programming, engineering, and leadership skills with youth in our community, but the virtual format has given our families the opportunity to engage with the materials together and learn with their kids."

California partner quote from Tandem, Partners in Early Learning:

“We are so grateful for First Tech's consistent support and partnership over the years to co-create equitable, high-quality early learning experiences in the Bay Area,” said Elizabeth Gelman, Development Associate at Tandem, Partners in Early Learning. “Tandem partners with school districts, agencies, and community-based organizations to support families who are disproportionately impacted by educational inequities. The support of First Tech has allowed us to give away thousands of multicultural, multilingual books to families as well as lead strengths-based family and educator workshops directly in the community.”

Washington partner quote from FIRST Washington:

"The unyielding support we have received from First Tech Federal Credit Union during this unprecedented time has been fantastic. In this past year of Covid-19 shutdowns and restrictions, FIRST Washington robotics programs have been one of the bright spots for our struggling students, both for continuous education and for a sense of being part of a team,” said Lila Mowatt, Director of Development and Community Relations at FIRST Washington. “FIRST successfully migrated our after-school programs to a fully remote learning environment that is providing critical STEM education for thousands of students throughout the state. These programs provide a tremendous impact for our students, and they serve as a vital lifeline, as we attempt to provide a bridge until students can fully return to in-person learning and beyond. We appreciate the financial support from First Tech as well as their involvement with our staff, several board members, as well as First Tech employees participating as judges for FIRST Washington competitions. This partnership will allow FIRST Washington and First Tech Credit Union to continue to build on a foundation for the future here in Washington.”

California First Tech Education Grant Partners:

First Tech designated $278,250 in California to support community organizations; California First Tech Education Grant partners include:

  • Silicon Valley Education Foundation, $40,250
  • Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation, $35,000
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, $20,000
  • Family Giving Tree, $20,000
  • Presentation High School, $20,000
  • The Tech Interactive, $20,000
  • Computer History Museum, $10,000
  • East Palo Alto Kids Foundation, $10,000
  • Financial Beginnings CA, $10,000
  • Junior Achievement of Northern California, $10,000
  • Junior Achievement of Sacramento, $10,000
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation, $10,000
  • Positive Alternative Recreation Teambuilding Impacting Program, $10,000
  • Girls Who Code, $9,000
  • Sacred Heart Nativity School, $7,500
  • California State University Chico - School of Business and Computer Science, $6,250
  • Lotus Bloom, $5,000
  • Marine Science Institute, $5,000
  • Project Invent, $5,000
  • Resource Area for Teaching, $5,000
  • Tandem, Partners in Early Learning, $5,000
  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento, $2,750
  • ReadySetExcel Inc., $2,500

Oregon First Tech Education Grant Partners:

In Oregon, First Tech awarded $506,000 to community organizations; Oregon First Tech Education Grant partners include:

  • Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), $50,250
  • Free Geek, $40,250
  • Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest, $40,000
  • Beaverton Education Foundation, $35,000
  • Hillsboro Schools Foundation, $35,000
  • SMART, $35,000
  • Oregon Robotics Tournament & Outreach Program, $30,000
  • Literary Arts Inc., $21,000
  • Adelante Mujeres, $20,000
  • Schoolhouse Supplies Inc, $18,000
  • Centro Cultural de Washington County, $15,000
  • Junior Achievement of Oregon and SW Washington Inc, $15,000
  • Oregon Zoo Foundation, $15,000
  • Oregon MESA, $15,000
  • Children’s Book Bank, $12,000
  • Financial Beginnings Oregon, $10,000
  • Friends of Saturday Academy, $10,000
  • Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington, $10,000
  • In4All, $10,000
  • Oregon Business Council Charitable Institute, $10,000
  • Young Audiences of Oregon Inc, $10,000
  • Camp Elso Incorporated, $7,500
  • Oregon Connections, $5,000
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area, $5,000
  • Hacienda Community Development Corporation, $5,000
  • Latino Network, $5,000
  • NE Steam Coalition, $5,000
  • Tie Oregon Foundation, $5,000
  • Women’s Center for Leadership, $5,000
  • Impact NW, $2,500
  • Project LEDO, $2,500
  • Portland Workforce Alliance, $2,000

Washington First Tech Education Grant Partners:

First Tech designated $155,500 in Washington to support community organizations; Washington First Tech Education Grant partners include:

  • FIRST Washington, $25,000
  • Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program, $20,000
  • Washington Alliance for Better Schools, $20,000
  • Washington STEM, $20,000
  • Financial Beginnings Washington, $10,000
  • Junior Achievement of Washington, $10,000
  • Museum of Flight Foundation, $10,000
  • The Whale Museum, $10,000
  • Treehouse, $10,000
  • Bellevue Schools Foundation, $5,000
  • Geeking Out Kids of Color, $5,000
  • Technology Access Foundation, $5,000
  • Reading Partners, $3,000
  • Northwest School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children, $2,500

Puerto Rico First Tech Education Grant Partners:

First Tech designated $2,500 in Puerto Rico to support community organizations; Puerto Rico First Tech Education Grant partners include:

  • Eureka Enrichment Services, $2,500

ABOUT FIRST TECH FEDERAL CREDIT UNION’S COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

First Tech Federal Credit Union is committed to supporting the next generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators. In 2020, First Tech provided $2.23 million in charitable giving and more than 77% of employees participated in community engagement; directing dollars and time to nonprofit partners who provide programs and services to children and families in need. First Tech’s philanthropic focus areas include support for education (STEM, early childhood literacy, financial education and scholarships), research (Credit Union for Kids and Supportive Health Service) and innovation (food, safety and shelter). Visit www.firsttechfed.com/community to learn more about the ways First Tech pays it forward throughout the year.

ABOUT FIRST TECH FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

First Tech Federal Credit Union is a $14+ billion institution headquartered in San Jose, California. It is the nation’s premier credit union serving the world’s leading technology-oriented companies and their employees, including HP Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Microsoft, Agilent, Intel, Cisco, Amazon, Nike, Intuit, Google, and more. First Tech is recognized as the industry catalyst for delivering effortless banking experiences to more than 620,000 members through its 39 branch locations, more than 5,600 CO-OP Shared Branch locations, 30,000 CO-OP Network ATMs, and online platforms. First Tech offers a full range of financial services, including traditional banking, online banking, mortgages, financial planning, various consumer loans, and insurance services. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. For more information, visit www.firsttechfed.com.

CONTACT
Carey Kerns
The Hoffman Agency
503-754-7975
firsttech@hoffman.com

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