First Tech Federal Credit Union Awards Over $1 Million in Education Grants to 69 West Coast Nonprofits

First Tech Federal Credit Union, the nation's ninth-largest credit union, contributed more than $1 million to support education initiatives in its local communities, including $1,030,000 in grants to 69 nonprofit organizations and $60,000 in scholarships to 12 First Tech member students. Aligning with First Tech's people-before-profits philosophy, the awarded organizations facilitate equitable access to science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), early childhood literacy, and financial education.

Charitable giving remains essential as nonprofits continue to operate through challenging economic circumstances. For this year's grant cycle, First Tech prioritized allocating funds to nonprofit partners who eliminate educational and learning gaps for BIPOC students, girls, and individuals within low-income communities.

"First Tech is dedicated to supporting our education partners and the incredible work they do for under-served students in the communities they serve," said Monique Little, First Tech's Chief People and Administrative Officer. "We are honored to partner with and provide grants to these organizations so they can continue implementing programs that positively enhance student’s educational and personal development." 

First Tech's education grant program supports organizations working to dismantle barriers and foster a more equitable future across California, Oregon, and Washington by extending access to academic programs, career opportunities, and professional networks in STEM, literacy, and financial education.  

Childhood literacy programs became a focal point for this year's grant cycle, as First Tech aimed to combat growing academic inequities. First Tech increased its contributions to the nonprofit SMART Reading, which helps children realize their full potential through reading by pairing them with adult volunteers who provide literacy instruction and books for the child’s personal library. Erica Vince, Development Officer of SMART Reading, shared, "Thank you to First Tech for your 25 years of support for SMART Reading and the young readers of Oregon. We're so grateful for your financial support, volunteerism, and board member participation."

First Tech grant recipient, Greene Scholars, exemplifies the effort to remove educational obstacles for BIPOC students by enriching youth of African ancestry with STEM courses, science fairs, engineering competitions, and mentorship for academic and professional aspirations. Tasha Castañeda, Director of Development and Outreach at Greene Scholars, shared, "The First Tech Education Grant will help Greene Scholars provide monthly hands-on science workshops for 3rd – 12th-grade youth of African ancestry, helping them build confidence and competence in studying STEM fields."

To make a significant and lasting impact in their local communities, First Tech maintains consistent partnerships with their education grant recipients. Emily McDowell, Development and Communications Manager at Tandem, Partners in Early Learning – a nonprofit bringing literacy education and early learning materials to Bay Area students – stated, "We deeply appreciate First Tech's generous charitable contributions, as well as employee engagement, in our work. Together, we can co-create equitable early learning opportunities for all Bay Area children." 

California First Tech Education Grant Partners:

First Tech awarded $227,500 to California community organizations; California First Tech Education Grant partners include: 

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, $20,000

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento, $5,000

• California State University Chico - School of Business and Computer Science; University Foundation, $7,500

• Computer History Museum, $10,000

• East Palo Alto Kids Foundation, $10,000

• Family Giving Tree, $20,000

• Financial Beginnings (CA), $10,000

• Girls Who Code, $9,000

• Greene Scholars, $5,000

• Junior Achievement of Northern California, $10,000

• Junior Achievement of Sacramento, $10,000

• Lotus Bloom, $7,500

• Marine Science Institute, $5,000

• Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation, $10,000

• Placer Advanced Robotics and Technology, $3,500

• Positive Alternative Recreation Teambuilding Impacting Program (PARTI), $5,000

• Project Invent, $7,500

• Ready.Set.Excel, $2,500

• Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT), $7,500

• Sacred Heart Nativity School, $2,500

• Silicon Valley Education Foundation, $40,000

• StreetCode Academy, $5,000

• Tandem, Partners in Early Learning, $5,000

• The Tech Interactive, $20,000

Oregon First Tech Education Grant Partners:

In Oregon, First Tech designated $632,000 to community organizations; Oregon First Tech Education Grant partners include:

• ACE Mentor Program of Oregon, $2,500

• Adelante Mujeres, $20,000

• Beaverton Education Foundation, $70,000

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area, $5,000

• Camp ELSO Inc., $10,000

• Centro Cultural de Washington County, $16,500

• Financial Beginnings (OR), $15,000

• Free Geek, $40,000

• Friends of Saturday Academy, $10,000

• Friends of the Children – Portland, $10,000

• Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington, $10,000

• Girls Inc of the Pacific Northwest, $40,000

• Hillsboro Schools Foundation, $35,000

• Impact NW, $5,000

• In4All, $20,000

• Junior Achievement of OR and SW WA, $15,000

• Latino Network, $40,000

• Literary Arts Inc, $22,000

• Oregon Business Council Charitable Institute, $10,000

• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), $60,000

• Oregon Robotics Tournament & Outreach Program, $30,000

• Oregon STEM, $10,000

• Oregon Tech Development Foundation, $5,000

• Oregon Zoo Foundation, $15,000

• Project LEDO, $5,000

• Portland State University Foundation - Oregon MESA, $15,000

• Schoolhouse Supplies Inc., $20,000

• SMART Reading, $56,000

• Tie Oregon Foundation, $5,000

• The Shadow Project, $5,000

Washington First Tech Education Grant Partners:

First Tech granted $170,500 in Washington to support community organizations; Washington First Tech Education Grant partners include:

• East African Community Services, $5,000

• Financial Beginnings (WA), $10,000

• FIRST Washington, $25,000

• Junior Achievement of Washington, $10,000

• Geeking Out Kids of Color, $5,000

• Museum of Flight Foundation, $10,000

• Northwest African American Museum, $5,000

• Northwest School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children, $3,500

• Pacific Science Center Foundation, $10,000

• Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program, $20,000

• Reading Partners, $4,500

• Technology Access Foundation, $7,500

• Treehouse, $10,000

• Washington Alliance for Better Schools, $20,000

• Washington STEM, $25,000