Ascentra provides $60,000 to support Junior Achievement’s volunteer efforts
BETTENDORF, IA (July 30, 2024) — Ascentra will award $60,000 to Junior Achievement over the next five years through a $50,000 grant from the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation and by redirecting a $10,000 VISA® Community Impact Grant to them.
These two grants will be used “to support the resources needed to recruit, train and place volunteers in classrooms and expand curriculum delivery throughout Clinton, Muscatine, Rock Island and Scott Counties,” said Katie Sothmann, Senior Director of Marketing & Special Events, Junior Achievement of the Heartland.
The $50,000 grant from the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation is a continuation of several year-to-year grants that started back in 2015. Since then, Ascentra has donated $150,000 to Junior Achievement through these multi-year grants to help support the financial education they provide to our local school districts and their students. “Ascentra Credit Union is transforming lives every day with their support of Junior Achievement of the Heartland,” said Dougal Nelson, President & CEO, Junior Achievement of the Heartland. “Along with Ascentra’s remarkable volunteers and financial backing, together we are empowering our youth and young adults to find financial freedom.” This newly awarded grant will extend Ascentra’s giving through 2029 by providing $10,000 per year over the next five years.
In addition, Ascentra is also redirecting a $10,000 VISA Community Impact Grant, provided to their financial partners, to help support the communities in which the credit union serves. VISA, Ascentra’s debit and credit card partner, allows the credit union to choose local organizations that make a difference in their community, and we were thrilled to select Junior Achievement for the 2024 grant. Since 2022, the VISA Community Impact Grant program has distributed $120,000 through Ascentra, into local charitable organizations. “This is a great example of how business partners can work together to accomplish great things,” said Linda Andry, President & CEO, Ascentra Credit Union. “This program aligns perfectly with Ascentra’s Listening, Caring, Doing What’s Right philosophy and we are very thankful to have VISA as a valued partner for the credit union and our members.”
The Ascentra Credit Union Foundation is the charitable arm of Ascentra Credit Union. Founded in 2015, its mission is to improve the quality of life for the membership of the credit union and further the philanthropic outreach in the communities they serve. In 2023, the foundation pushed more than $102,000 into the community and has contributed nearly $942,000 since its inception.
About Ascentra Credit Union Foundation
Established in 2013, to honor the memory of Ascentra Credit Union President and CEO Paul Lensmeyer and to meet the charitable and educational objectives of the Board of Directors of the credit union, the mission of the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the membership of Ascentra Credit Union and further the philanthropic outreach in the communities the credit union serves. The focus of the foundation is on funding work to enhance youth development, expand credit education opportunities, foster community development, support cultural activities, and invest in ways to enhance the financial viability of the underserved. More information can be found at www.ascentra.org/foundation.
About Junior Achievement of the Heartland
Junior Achievement (JA) is dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.
Locally, Junior Achievement of the Heartland serves 24 counties in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Visit heartland.ja.org for more information.
