Golden 1 Credit Union Awards $1 Million to 42 Local Organizations to Uplift Sacramento's Del Paso Heights Community
January 29, 2025, Sacramento, CA
Grant recipients were selected for driving meaningful change across key impact areas focused on community, economic, and opportunity growth
Golden 1 Credit Union (Golden 1) is pleased to announce the recipients of its new nonprofit grant program offering support to organizations working within Sacramento’s Del Paso Heights neighborhood. The program provides over $1 million to 42 nonprofit recipients, with individual grants ranging from $13,000 to $50,000 to organizations committed to enhancing community infrastructure, economic revitalization, and expanding opportunity in Del Paso Heights.
"It is a privilege to work collaboratively with the Del Paso Heights community to implement initiatives focused on empowering our neighbors and partners,” said Donna Bland, President and CEO of Golden 1 Credit Union. “Golden 1’s goal is to help create positive change for the long term, and we look forward to expanding this positive impact even further as we partner with our newest Del Paso Heights grant program recipients."
This funding is part of Golden 1’s overall $10 million commitment to help revitalize the Del Paso Heights community, initially announced in July 2023. Through the program, Golden 1 aims to foster significant improvements across the Del Paso Heights community and hopes the investments will empower grant recipients to create impactful projects. Organizations selected vary in impact areas, including improving the sustainability of community-owned businesses, expanding support services, creating engaging public spaces and resources, and expanding educational and workforce opportunities. Many funded organizations were already doing work in the neighborhood, but others are new to serving Del Paso Heights.
"Golden 1 is committed to being a partner to people and organizations that uplift and empower communities statewide. Our investment in Del Paso Heights was the result of years of research and collaboration with community leaders, residents, elected officials, business groups, and more,” said Erica Taylor, Senior Vice President of Community Impact and Public Relations Officer for Golden 1 Credit Union. “Our new grant program supports initiatives identified by the community as most needed and deepens our long-term commitment to the neighborhood."
The 42 grant recipients include 4YourEpiphany Foundation Inc, Grant Drum Line Music Association, and Sacramento Street Medicine, to name a few. Through the support of the grant program, organizations will have additional funds to focus on building the community, growing the economy, and creating more opportunities for Del Paso Heights residents. Funds for the new program were distributed to selected organizations in December 2024.
"Golden 1’s grant will allow us to provide consistent, comprehensive, and invaluable care that the unhoused population of Del Paso Heights so desperately need,” said Anthony Menacho, Executive Director of Sacramento Street Medicine. “With the help of our staff and community partners like Golden 1, we are determined to make a real impact on the overall health and well-being of people living outside in Del Paso Heights."
"Golden 1’s community grant will help us continue to be a vital community organization in Del Paso Heights that offers safety, support, and opportunity to students who might not have it otherwise,” said James "Mr. V" Van Buren, President of Grant Drum Line Music Association. “By collaborating with local organizations such as Golden 1, we are able to give back by fostering a sense of responsibility and unity in the hearts of our members, youth, and people we serve."
"The grant we received from Golden 1 supports the work that many of us are doing in Del Paso Heights to help build opportunities with other organizations and community members,” said Christopher R. Robinson, Founder and CEO of 4YourEpiphany Foundation Inc. “We have partnered with Heirs Creative and Addicts Supply to create Vibe Studios, an incubator space offering programs focused on digital media, art, brand development, and content creation, where community members can gain practical skills through workshops, hands-on experience, and mentorship.”
Golden 1 is committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive California through relevant and meaningful financial solutions, programs, and direct engagement. In addition to the ongoing support of Del Paso Heights initiatives, the Credit Union donated more than $3.6 million to support community and student food banks, fund youth education and development, and advance social and financial equity in 2024.
"Golden 1 is devoted to expanding our social and community impact programs to uplift communities throughout California and our continued work with the Del Paso Heights community is just the beginning,” added Bland.
For a full list of grantee recipients and more information on Golden 1’s community impact, visit golden1.com/delpasoheights.
ABOUT GOLDEN 1 CREDIT UNION
With more than $19 billion in assets, Golden 1 Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in the United States, providing easy access to the financial solutions, resources, and support their members and communities need to improve their well-being. Golden 1 is committed to creating a more equitable and financially inclusive California and proudly serves all those who live or work there. Golden 1 is more than 1.1 million members strong and has over 2,000 employees. Visit golden1.com for more information.