The Avadian Foundation is another avenue through which Avadian Credit Union puts the credit union movement's philosophy of "people helping people" into action.

The Foundation was created to help out communities and members we serve by supporting their financial well-being to create a more inclusive future for all. The Avadian Foundation is committed to this effort by investing in affordable housing, financial health, small business development, and education across the membership footprint.

Simply put, we feel compelled to help people, and one way we can do that is to help organizations throughout the state of Alabama that are helping people in four key areas:

• Affordable Housing
• Financial Education
• Small Business
• Education

The Foundation's inaugural grants were awarded in December 2022 to UNCF, the Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley, the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club, the Literacy Council of Central Alabama, the Salvation Army, Woodlawn United, and the Alabama Small Business Development Initiative — a non-profit affiliate of the Birmingham Business Resource Center.

By partnering with organizations in their work, we aim to empower people financially, to provide scolarships for students in at-risk communities, to address problems plaguing the fulfillment of our society's ideals, and to combat system problems in housing development.

Grants will be awarded to organizations working in these areas based on the impact to the community. Grants will range between $1000 and $12,500 based on the scale of the project.