In late 2002, Utah’s credit unions joined forces to created 100% for Kids: Utah’s Credit Union Education Foundation. The foundation is funded primarily by donations made by Utah’s credit unions and their members. Since 2002, the foundation has funded more than $5 million worth of grants for Utah’s public schools.
Public school teachers in Utah can apply for grants. Grants can range from small, to purchase basic classroom supplies, to major, to fund large school-wide projects. The application process is simple, and can be completed online or on paper. For more information, visit the foundation’s website at http://www.100percentforkids.org, or e-mail the foundation’s coordinator, Antonia Scott at as@utahscreditunions.org.
The 100% for Kids Foundation is Changing
The board of the 100% for Kids Foundation voted to move the governance of the foundation to America First Credit Union.
Scott Simpson, president of the foundation and president of the Utah Credit Union Association said that the time had come to wind down the operations of the foundation as a movement-wide organization and shift ongoing operations to the primary donor, America First.
“Everything has a season and this foundation has arrived at the close of this season,” Simpson said.
“Many credit unions have supported the mission of this great foundation but we’ve experienced an evolution of all credit unions adjusting their philanthropic resources to foundations that align more closely with their respective credit union, often operating their own foundations.”
At the most recent meeting of the grant review committee, the balance of the grant fund was distributed to grant applicant teachers. Since its founding in 2002, 100% for Kids has directly granted more than $6.5 million to Utah school teachers and classrooms.
The recent board action included amending bylaws, replacing board members and placing new executive leadership. These changes are scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2023.