2022
IMPACT REPORT
Transforming Lives.
Empowering Communities.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to provide Affinity's members and our communities with solutions to improve financial wellness, educational programs that enable self-sufficiency and support that ensures access to essential healthcare services.
OUR VISION
Our mission is to end the cycle of poverty for the people we serve.
A LETTER FROM OUR LEADERSHIP
Dear Friends, Supporters and Members,
Over the last two years the Affinity Foundation has expanded its mission and vision to focus on helping people leave poverty behind. Every day, millions of people suffer through the disastrous effects of poverty. Homelessness, poor education, malnourishment, addiction…these are just a few of the things these families experience. We’re on a mission to change that.
We are proud to say that 2022 was a year of extreme growth. We received 69% more in fundraising support and were able to commit 164% more in funding to our programs. But we’re not done yet…we are committed to ensuring that everyone has equal access to safe living conditions, an opportunity for a good education, ability to put food on the table for their families and access to affordable healthcare.
We can only do this through the support of our generous donors.
Every dollar we grant has been possible through donations from Affinity members, Affinity business partners, community members and the credit union itself. Our donors an rest assured that every dollar donated is working toward our vision of ending the cycle of poverty.
Karla Wallack
Executive Director
Affinity Foundation
John Fenton
Board Chair, Affinity Foundation
Former President & CEO,
Affinity Federal Credit Union
IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITIES
What Our Community Grants and Donations Support
33%
Education
40%
Financial Wellbeing
27%
Healthcare
In 2022
$112,500
$15,000
Scholarships Awarded
to 6 Student Members
Community Grants and
Donations to 36 Charities
$39,200
Member Relief Grants
to 75 Members
Since Founding in 2005
$2,200,000
Awarded Through Grants,
Scholarships and Donations
288
Charities and Members Supported
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
ROBERT L. BIRKHAHN COMMUNITY SPIRIT SCHOLARSHIP
Arjun Kulkarni
University of Illinois,
Urbana-Champaign
Class of 2026
Emily Lu
Barnard College
Class of 2026
Gabriella Robinson
Seton Hall University
Class of 2026
Kayla Kwinta
University of South Florida
Class of 2026
Pia Piazza
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Class of 2026
AFFINITY CONTINUING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Trish Elleston
Temple University
Class of 2024
MEMBER RELIEF FUND
58%
11%
40%
7%
of members who received grants live in New Jersey, New York, or Connecticut
The Member Relief Fund provides emergency grants to credit union members facing immediate financial hardship.
Hear one member’s experience in learning he and his wife would receive grants after his struggle with a rare bone cancer that resulted in the loss of his left leg.
AFFINITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION PRESIDENT'S INVITATIONAL
$223,248
The President's Invitational golf outing raises essential funds for the Affinity Foundation by engaging Affinity’s vendors and business members with the Foundation’s mission and community programs.
Raised
38
Stanton Ridge Golf & Country Club
Corporate Sponsors
DIAMOND SPONSOR
115
Golfers
TITANIUM SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
THE INAUGURAL
RISE AND INSPIRE GALA
The Rise and Inspire Gala featured keynote address by best-selling author, Liz Murray and reminded attendees of why it’s important to empower people struggling with homelessness to create a better future and break the cycle of poverty.
The Westin Governor Morris
THRIVE SPONSORS
INSPIRE SPONSORS
THE INAUGURAL
RISE AND INSPIRE GALA
$88,543
19
130
Raised
Corporate Sponsors
Attendees
AWARD WINNERS
FOUNDER'S AWARD
Bob Scott of Greenwood Products
for the company’s philanthropic
commitment to the Foundation
COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD
Grant Gallagher of Affinity Federal Credit Union for his service to the Foundation over the past ten years
LEADER IN SERVICE AWARD
James Mack, Affinity member and Marine veteran for serving his community and giving hope to displaced people by sharing his experience with homelessness
AFFINITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION EMPLOYEES
“I volunteer because I believe in the mission of the Affinity Foundation and feel giving back is an important part of my life. I grew up experiencing poverty. I know what it is like to rely on social support programs. I am so fortunate to have improved my own financial wellbeing and now get to help the Foundation support programs very much like the ones I once relied on.”
$45,325
224
Donated by 133
Credit Union
Employees to
Support Our Mission
Hours Volunteered by 52 Employees to Support Our Programs, Fundraising Events and Community Partners
Bethany Cinque
Branch Manager, New Haven
Affinity Federal Credit Union
MEMBER SUPPORT
$12,874
Raised
What Our Donors Are Saying
“I cannot thank you enough for being there when I needed you. You blessed my life and now I want to pay it forward. Thank you again, your concern about me helped me to not be so hard on myself and pick myself up. You are ANGELS!! 😊”
– Danette N.
“Thank you for your concern and generosity to members in need…. I hope for a day when we will not have members in financial need for the necessities of life. Stay well, safe and in good health."
– Michael C.
245
First-Time Donors
$80
Average Gift Size
Scan to Give
FINANCIALS
FOUNDATION EXPENSES
Affinity Federal Credit Union is committed to the community through the work of the Affinity Foundation. By providing salaries, benefits, and other resources for Foundation staff, the credit union ensures that 73% of the Foundation expenses go directly toward programs and community support, with only 4% going to administration costs.
“I am proud to continue to support the Foundation’s work throughout the communities we serve to impact our members and live true to the credit union mission which is based on People helping People.”
Kevin Brauer
President & Chief Executive Officer
Affinity Federal Credit Union
Management
$26,037
4%
23%
73%
Fundraising
$169,295
Program
$535,979
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
John Fenton,
Board Chair
Joseph Herbst,
Vice Chair
Andre Solomon,
Treasurer
Jacqui Kearns,
Secretary
Frank Giannelli
Kawanzaa King
Luis Alzate-Duque, MD
Sandy Sharp
Shay Wadher
MaryAnne Melanson
Michelle Jansen
Pamela Cohen
OUR STAFF
Karla Wallack
Executive Director,
Affinity Foundation
Erin Witherspoon
Development Manager &
Salesforce Administrator,
Affinity Foundation
OUR COMMITMENT
We firmly believe that access to quality education, financial wellbeing, and healthcare are not just fundamental rights but also powerful catalysts for breaking the cycle of poverty, empowering individuals to reach their full potential and creating a brighter, more equitable future for all.
We are committed to persevering until we live in a world where everyone can leave poverty behind.
Affinity Foundation
PO Box 430, Martinsville, NJ 08836
908.860.3902