Bank of the Sierra Awards $31K in Grants to Central Valley Nonprofits During Fourth Quarter
February 13, 2020
Porterville, Calif. – Bank of the Sierra announced today that $31,600 was given to 10 nonprofits in the Central Valley during the fourth quarter. The Bank awards $1,000-$5,000 grants to 15-25 nonprofit organizations each quarter as part of its Sierra Grant program. Overall in the fourth quarter, Bank of the Sierra awarded a total of $62,500 to nonprofits in the eight counties it serves.
A Sierra Grant was awarded to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Kings County to provide operating support for the organization. CASA of Kings County recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers who advocate for foster children in court. CASA supports its volunteers with ongoing training and court compliance requirements.
ImagineU Children’s Museum will use a Sierra Grant to increase and enhance its 2020 programs and events, with the goal of providing interactive and enriching opportunities to children in Tulare, Kings, and Fresno counties. The museum hosts local theater groups, visits from local police and fire departments, animal presentations, magic shows, and more.
A Sierra Grant awarded to Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County will allow the organization to send 50 underprivileged children to the E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center for a five-day per week after-school enrichment and education program. Activities will include computer education, STEM studies, tutoring, fine arts, dance, drama, health and fitness, sports, and more.
“It’s amazing to see the many different ways Sierra Grant recipients help our communities,” said Kevin McPhaill, Bank of the Sierra President and Chief Executive Officer. “We can’t wait to see what the organizations do in 2020!”
About the Sierra Grant Program
Since its inception in 2004, the Sierra Grant Program has been responsible for donating over $2.2 million to organizations that improve local communities. Nonprofits who wish to apply for a Sierra Grant can pick up an instructional brochure at any Bank of the Sierra branch or visit the bank’s web site at BankoftheSierra.com/SierraGrant.
About Bank of the Sierra
Bank of the Sierra is in its 43rd year of operations and is the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley. Bank of the Sierra is a community-centric regional bank, which offers a full range of retail and commercial banking services with full-service branches located within the counties of Tulare, Kern, Kings, Fresno, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. The bank also maintains a loan production office and an online branch and provides specialized lending services through an agricultural credit center and an SBA center. Bank of the Sierra is recognized as one of the strongest and top-performing community banks in the country with a 5-star rating from Bauer Financial.