People helping people. That’s what being a credit union is all about. It’s no surprise that after 160 years, credit unions are still thriving with a mission focusing on community impact.
Each year, we support a variety of organizations that make a difference in our communities through the Arsenal Community Impact Fund. Since starting in 2020, we’ve awarded $69,900 to more than 30 local nonprofits. This year, we awarded an additional $15,000 to help nine more organizations serve others. Our employees make this fund even more meaningful by funding its entirely themselves and passionately giving back to the communities we serve.
Meet this year’s Community Impact Fund grant recipients and learn how they’re using their funds to uplift others in the community. If you feel inspired by one of the organization’s missions, visit their website and get involved.
The Ozark Food Pantry
- How much was awarded? $2,000
- Where are they located? Festus, MO
- What’s their mission? The organization provides healthy, nutritious food and essential items to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship. In addition to direct support, the organization connects clients with other agencies that offer specialized assistance. Volunteers operate the organization entirely, and directly donate funds toward serving those in need.
- What will they use the grant for? The organization will use the funds to purchase pallets of hams and turkeys for holiday distribution, ensuring underserved community members have access to festive meals during the season.
Visit their site
Cornerstone Center for Early Learning
- How much was awarded? $1,000
- Where are they located? St. Louis, MO
- What’s their mission? They nurture confident young minds while providing meaningful support to families. Their programs foster early development in a safe, inclusive environment that empowers both children and caregivers.
- What will they use the grant for? The organization will use the grant to purchase infant formula and baby food for children under the age of one during their time at the center, ensuring the youngest participants receive essential nutrition while on-site.
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Delta Economic Development Corporation
- How much was awarded? $1,500
- Where are they located? East St. Louis, IL
- What’s their mission? Strengthen the community through basic needs and community support, community empowerment and advocacy, fiscal stewardship and partnership, educational advancement, economic mobility and opportunity.
- What will they use the grant for? Funds from the grant will support the distribution of food to residents in the Southend Neighborhood in East St. Louis, IL to provide meals around the holidays.
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Flance Early Learning Center
- How much was awarded? $1,500
- Where are they located? St. Louis, MO
- What’s their mission? Provides excellence by education and nurturing young children, supporting families and strengthening the community. Their vision is to create a new paradigm in early childhood education that will serve as a model for creating systemic change for children and families.
- What will they use the grant for? The organization will use the grant funds to support its annual Flancegiving feast in November, which is open to all students, their families and Flance’s employees. Staff prepare the meals in-house, and volunteers serve them. For some families, these are the only Thanksgiving-style meals they will enjoy this holiday season.
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Mighty Oaks Heart Foundation
- How much was awarded? $2,000
- Where are they located? St. Louis, MO
- What’s their mission? Support families of children diagnosed with congenital heart defects financially, emotionally and in ways unique to their needs.
- What will they use the grant for? The organization will use the grant funds to purchase arts and craft kits for the Heart Family Art Program. The program creates therapeutic, developmentally appropriate activities that aim to enhance the hospital experience for children, strengthen family bonds and create moments of joy.
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Climate and Culture Changers
- How much was awarded? $2,000
- Where are they located? Bridgeton, MO
- What’s their mission? They build collaborative communities by addressing social determinants of health. These included isolation, ageism and lack of access to digital tools through educational workshops like mentorship programs and wellness initiatives.
- What will they use the grant for? The organization will use the funds to purchase and assemble wellness baskets filled with hygiene products, healthy snacks and handwritten intergenerational care cards created by youth volunteers. The funds will also support volunteer training and delivery costs.
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Paraquad
- How much was awarded? $1,000
- Where are they located? St. Louis, MO
- What’s their mission? Champions equity and independence for people with disabilities through services, partnerships, education and advocacy.
- What will they use the grant for? The organization will use the funds to provide living skills and self-advocacy training to youth ages 10-19 with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) during an overnight camping event. The program helps participants build social and independent living skills while fostering a sense of community connectedness.
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Pink Ribbon Good
- How much was awarded? $2,000
- Where are they located? St. Louis, MO
- What’s their mission? Supports individuals and families affected by breast and gynecological cancers by providing free healthy meals, transportation to treatment, housing essentials and peer support. They offer practical help and emotional support to promote healing and hope.
- What will they use the grant for? The organization will use the funds to provide 200 healthy meals to breast and gynecological cancer patients and their families in the St. Louis reigion. For 8-24 weeks, depending on each client’s cancer type and treatment needs, the organization will deliver three meals per person in each household directly to their homes. Each meal costs an average of $10.
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
- How much was awarded? $2,000
- Where are they located? St. Louis, MO
- What’s their mission? To end drunk and drugged driving, support victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking and other drug use.
- What will they use the grant for? The organization will use the funds to support attendance at the MADD St. Louis annual Heroes Banquet, a formal plated dinner that brings victims, survivors, volunteers and community partners together. The banquet pays tribute to law enforcement officers who prevent impaired driving and save lives in Missouri. This evening is a meaningful opportunity for attendees to connect and heal and prevent future tragedies.
Visit their site
Applications for the Community Impact Fund are currently closed. Stay tuned for more information.
