Military Communities Benefit From Navy Federal’s 90th Anniversary Celebration With $90,000 in Grants

Navy Federal has been celebrating its 90th anniversary throughout the year in the communities it serves. In May, the credit union donated 9 $10,000 grants to nonprofit organizations that serve military communities around the globe. The $90,000 supported Active Duty servicemembers, Veterans and their families with expenses like childcare, home repairs and bills.

One of the grants supported Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s Veterans Build Program to benefit Veterans across Northwest Florida. The program has served 25 local Veterans with homeowner counseling, modifications and rebuilds.

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity serves low-income home buyers and provides home preservation services, like accessibility modifications and critical repairs, and is one of over 350 affiliates that participate in the Veterans Build Program. Veterans are more likely to need home modifications due to a disability, according to Habitat for Humanity, a global affordable housing nonprofit. Further, 2.5 million head of household Veterans are age 55+, and nearly a quarter of those Veterans face housing cost burdens due to limited income, the nonprofit notes citing a report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Navy Federal’s partnership with Pensacola Habitat for Humanity spans 9 years, and in addition to philanthropic giving, the credit union has donated more than 370 furniture items through in-kind donations to the nonprofit’s ReStore center. To date, over 600 of Navy Federal volunteers have donated more than 7,000 hours supporting the nonprofit’s mission. This year alone, Navy Federal volunteers have helped build 11 new homes in the local area.

“We thank you for your donations. Your generosity has helped us build 1,600 homes and counting in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties,” said Sam Young, President and CEO of Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. “Those 1,600 families are now experiencing the pride, security and stability of homeownership. Your contribution makes a difference for local families in need and allows us to continue our mission.”

With Navy Federal’s Branch network spanning across 26 international locations, the credit union has a global responsibility when caring for the people and places it serves. 

The Branch team in Okinawa, Japan has a strong partnership with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s Overseas Division. NMCRS provides financial relief to deployed military members and their families through interest-free loans and grants.

Demand for financial relief grows as inflationary pressures, cost of living and natural disasters rise. Their programs help both Active Duty and retired sea service members pay for essentials: rent, groceries, utilities, medical expenses and home repairs.

“NMCRS is deeply grateful for the financial support provided by Navy Federal Credit Union, most especially the grant from the Branch office in Okinawa,” said Robert Ruark, President and CEO of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. “This partnership is essential to our ability to deliver assistance and service to sea service members and their families.”

Navy Federal serves military family members of all ages.

Many military families are shocked by the price of childcare when moving to a new duty station. To help alleviate this expenditure, Navy Federal donated grants to the Air Force Aid Society and Army Emergency Relief to support their National Military Family Association partnership program.

The program donates $1,500 grants to thousands of Airmen, Guardians and Soldiers who need childcare support. To date, over $200,000 in direct aid from the program has supported working military professionals with childcare costs.

“The support from Navy Federal Credit Union has been central to enabling us to impact our community of Active Duty members, Veterans and their families,” said Kris McBride, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Air Force Aid Society. “Through strategic partnerships and targeted programs, we continue to uphold our commitment to the well-being and advancement of the Air Force and Space Force community.”

Five other nonprofit organizations received $10,000 grants from Navy Federal’s 90th Anniversary Give Back campaign:

• Coast Guard Foundation
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (National Program)
• Armed Services YMCA of San Diego
• Northern Shenandoah Valley Community Veterans Engagement Board
• Easterseals DMV Military Family Clinic Program

After proudly serving military communities for 9 decades, Navy Federal’s duty to stand by its military roots and go beyond banking to support military families continues.

Looking ahead, the credit union is focused on serving its members with integrity and benefiting military communities through Navy Federal Serves. In addition to collaborating with nonprofit partners that share military values, Navy Federal team members are empowered to champion communities through Operation: Give Back, an annual employee benefit that provides 8 hours of paid leave to volunteers. Navy Federal’s mission remains the same as it aims to improve outcomes in military communities around the globe and strengthen the financial health and well-being of military members and their families.