Arizona Financial Credit Union recently opened grant applications to support hyper-local nonprofits through their Local Causes Visa® Debit Card program. Since its launch in August 2020, the program has provided more than $110,000 to more than 50 unique nonprofits, and with Arizona Financial’s expansion across the state with its recent name change, organizations across the state are invited to apply. Arizona Financial members can give back to their community one purchase at a time with a portion of each purchase going toward the Local Causes fund.

“This program has been fantastic to support nonprofits in the Metro-Phoenix area, and we are incredibly excited to extend this opportunity statewide, helping us reach nonprofits across all of Arizona,” said Jason Paprocki, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Arizona Financial Credit Union. “Our member-owners have warmly embraced this debit card program, allowing us to give back to the community and shine a spotlight on local organizations making significant impacts in their communities.”

Unique to this program, nonprofit recipients must have an operating budget under $2M to qualify and meet criteria set forth by Arizona Financial with a focus on education, equality/social inclusion, community services, children and youth, and/or sustainability. Past recipients have credited the grant as a major boost contributing to expanding services and recognition in the past few years.

Past grant recipient and founder of Scott Foundation, Colleen Walski, recommends other local nonprofits to consider applying for a Local Causes grant saying, “The support of our community enables us to make an impact in the lives of foster children, over 6,000 of our local youth and counting! The Local Causes grant we received is equipping our new space with hands-on, educational equipment we need to move our mission forward, and we would encourage any eligible nonprofit to apply for a grant. As we grow and expand our services, we appreciate Arizona Financial’s commitment to help us continue our mission to serve others and transform lives.”

The Local Causes Visa® Debit Card giveback program is one option of several programs Arizona Financial members can participate in when choosing their debit card. The credit union also facilitates similar initiatives with the Arizona Humane Society and the 100 Club of Arizona. For more information on Arizona Financial Credit Union and the Local Causes give back program, please visit http://www.ArizonaFinancial.org/Community.