WPCU Sunshine Community Fund® Awards More Than $85,000 to Seven Nonprofits

The WPCU Sunshine Community Fund – the charitable giving arm of Wright-Patt Credit Union, Inc. – recently announced the seven recipients of its 2021 third quarter awards. More than $85,000 will be shared among the seven worthwhile organizations.

Twenty-one nonprofits applied to be considered for the funds earlier this year. Each applicant was required to include a detailed project plan illustrating how the funds would be used in alignment with the WPCU Sunshine Community Fund's financial security and wellbeing areas of focus, including its new financial wellbeing blocks. After initial vetting by the Sunshine Community Fund Selection Committee – now called the Inspi-RAY-tion Committee – and the approval of the top nine candidates by the Sunshine Community Fund's Board of Trustees, seven of the nine organizations were selected to receive funds through a voting process by WPCU and myCUmortgage partner-employees.

The seven selected beneficiaries and their specific projects are:

• Bridgeway Academy – Community-based job training, a nonprofit education and therapy center in Columbus serving children with autism and developmental disabilities.
• Brunner Literacy Center – Adult literacy center, provides flexible learning opportunities to meet the individual's needs and empowers adults to lead better lives through literacy.
• Catholic Social Services – Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Utility Assistance Program provides limited funds for households that are unable to pay their utility bills and help get them financially back on track.
• Daybreak – Daybreak Employment Program/Lindy's Employment Service, an emergency shelter for runaway and homeless youth.
• Hannah's Treasure – Greatest Needs Fund Care Packages, a nonprofit organization which enriches the lives of children in need by providing care packages of clothes, shoes, books, safety equipment and hygiene items, including diapers.
• Lydia's House Inc. – Affordable Housing for Homeless Women and Children, offers safe, stable, and supportive housing for women and children in crisis in Cincinnati.
• Pink Ribbon Girls – Simply Fight/No Age-No Stage, provides critical services to cancer patients at their time of greatest need.

“Over the years, WPCU partner-employees have raised more than $2 million to support many area organizations," shared Tracy Szarzi-Fors, Executive Director of the WPCU Sunshine Community Fund and Vice President of Marketing & Business Development for Wright-Patt Credit Union. “These fundraising efforts are critical in helping the WPCU Sunshine Community Fund achieve its mission of strengthening the financial health and wellbeing of the communities in which WPCU, its members, and partner-employees live and work."

Applications for Winter Inspi-RAY-tion Grants Now Available

Nonprofits who have a project or program that aligns with the WPCU Sunshine Community Fund's areas of focus and financial wellbeing building blocks are invited to apply for an Inspi-RAY-tion grant by visiting WPCU.coop/SCF and clicking on “Apply for a Grant."

For the next round of grants, which will be awarded in March 2022, you must submit your letter of intent no later than November 5, 2021. If your letter of intent is accepted, then your application will be due by January 4, 2022.

​​Download the Press Release here.​