PHOENIX – Arizona Central Credit Union (AZCCU), in collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco), will deliver a $75,000 AHEAD Program grant to Southwest Human Development (SWHD AZ). Arizona Central Credit Union applied for the grant in partnership with Southwest Human Development. After a competitive selection process, Southwest Human Development was awarded the AHEAD Program grant to fund SWHD AZ’s Early Childhood Business Solutions – Workforce Expansion project.
This project builds on the success of 2024’s AHEAD grant funded initiative by expanding Southwest Human Development’s Early Childhood Business Solutions (ECBS) program with a new focus on financial literacy and peer leadership. ECBS supports childcare providers, primarily women and women of color running small, community-based programs, in strengthening their business operations so they can continue delivering stable, high-quality care to Arizona’s children and families.
This is the fifth year that AZCCU has awarded Southwest Human Development with this grant, which was previously awarded to them in 2014, 2018, 2021, and 2024.
“At Arizona Central we are dedicated to supporting the communities we serve. The AHEAD Grant Program provides us with the opportunity to be part of something greater than ourselves; on our own we can do our part but when we come together, we can do so much more.” said Mindy Fellows, AZCCU’s Community Engagement Manager. “Knowing that we have a hand in enhancing a program that focuses on the people caring for our children and families, providing financial literacy, and strengthening business skills and mindset, we couldn’t be more grateful.”
AHEAD grants enable FHLBank San Francisco members like Arizona Central Credit Union to give a critical boost to local economic development programs and projects that directly address pressing needs in low- to moderate-income communities.
“In this year’s highly competitive application cycle, we received 400 AHEAD grant proposals, underscoring the widespread need for support to drive local economic vitality across our district,” said Eric Cicourel, Community Investment Officer at FHLBank San Francisco. “We are proud to partner with Arizona Central Credit Union in awarding this grant to Southwest Human Development, recognizing the important work they do in their community. AHEAD is a voluntary grant program and a benefit of FHLBank San Francisco membership that reflects our broader mission to be a dependable source of liquidity for community lenders and a catalyst for housing and economic development in the communities we serve.”
For those interested in applying for the AHEAD Program in 2026, please contact AZCCU or visit the FHLBank San Francisco website to learn more.
ABOUT ARIZONA CENTRAL CREDIT UNION
Arizona Central Credit Union is a state-chartered credit union proudly serving Arizonans since 1939. With 9 branches throughout Arizona, covering the Greater Phoenix Area, Flagstaff, Tucson and Show Low. For more information, visit www.azcentralcu.org or call 1-866-264-6421.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Southwest Human Development is Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development. Recognizing a child’s earliest experiences and relationships establish the foundation for all future development, Southwest Human Development’s more than 40 comprehensive programs focus on young children—ages birth to 5—and their families in the areas of child development, mental health, Easterseals disabilities services, Head Start, early literacy, family support and child welfare, and professional development and training. Founded in 1981, Southwest Human Development serves 140,000 children and families each year. Learn more at www.swhd.org.
ABOUT THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF SAN FRANCISCO
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant and resilient.
CONTACT:
Melanie Hemming
Director of Marketing
Arizona Central Credit Union
melanie.hemming@azcentralcu.org
