Civic Local Foundation honors scholarship and grant recipients, celebrates partnerships

 

Civic Local Foundation held its inaugural "Inspiration Celebration" in Raleigh on November 16, 2023, honoring the people and organizations impacted by the Foundation. The event was attended by the credit union’s local government supporters and partners in philanthropy, and by Foundation grant recipients.

Ripe for Revival, a 2022 grant recipient of Civic Local Foundation, was recognized as the Nonprofit of the Year for its noteworthy work in addressing food insecurity in areas of our state.

Mikayla Watts, a student at Meredith College and a 2023 Civic Local Foundation Scholarship recipient, was recognized as the Student Scholarship Recipient of the Year for her outstanding academic achievement.

"Our Inspiration Celebration was just that: a gathering that recognized the people, nonprofits and organizations that inspire us,” said Jazmine Kilpatrick, executive director of Civic Local Foundation. “We're proud to support the individuals and organizations having the greatest local impacts and changing North Carolina, one heart at a time.”

The event also commemorated the credit union’s partnership with the UNC School of Government, and with the North Carolina State University Public Safety Leadership Initiative (PSLI).

In the years since the credit union began funding professional development scholarships for members, $1 million has been awarded to support individuals’ continuing education at the School of Government. This training then helps these local government employees to strengthen the communities they serve.

Additionally, over $160,000 has been awarded to credit union members working in local law enforcement, to attend PSLI’s Administrative Officers Management Program and its Law Enforcement Executive Program.

Since the launch of the Foundation in 2021, its scholarships and nonprofit grants have touched the lives of thousands of North Carolinians. More than $550,000 has been awarded to 22 nonprofits across the state to bridge the gaps in human services, with additional grants awarded each quarter of the year.

Ashley Ruffin, Chief Impact Officer of Civic and Local Government Federal Credit Unions, noted, “There’s great work being done across the state, and the Foundation supports those efforts by helping to build thriving communities and by developing our future leaders."