Bank of the Sierra recently announced that a total of $62,500 was given to 18 non-profits within its footprint during the second quarter. The bank awards $1,000-$5,000 grants to 15-20 local non-profit organizations each quarter as part of its Sierra Grant program. In the bank’s coastal markets, $26,500 was distributed to eight non-profits, including the following organizations:

The C.R.E.W. (Concerned Resource and Environmental Workers) is a non-profit youth leadership and employment program focused on the environment. The Ojai organization will use the funds for its Recruitment for Conservation Jobs and Careers program, which will expose at least 300 western Ventura County high school and college students to jobs at the C.R.E.W. as well as forestry, firefighting and conservation career paths.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County will use its funding to continue its support of one-to-one relationships between trained volunteer role models and children from low-income or single-partner households. The non-profit also offers a program that pairs elementary students with high school or college students for weekly group mentoring and activities.

St. Vincent’s received funds to support its Family Strengthening Program, a long-term transitional housing program for pregnant and single mothers and children up to age five. This program serves 70 low-income single mothers and their children each year. St. Vincent’s 21- acre campus in Santa Barbara is home to over 600 residents, and it provides affordable housing, early childhood education and family enrichment opportunities.

Kevin McPhaill, Bank President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are thrilled for the chance to help so many wonderful organizations!” He added, “We are here to help our communities and the Sierra Grant program is just one example of that fact.”


About the Sierra Grant Program

Since its inception in 2004 the Sierra Grant Program has been responsible for donating over 1.7 million dollars to organizations that improve local communities. Non-profits who wish to apply for a Sierra Grant can pick up an instructional brochure at any Bank of the Sierra branch, or visit the bank’s web site at www.bankofthesierra.com/resources/sierra_grant_program.

About Bank of the Sierra

Bank of the Sierra is in its 41st year of operations and is the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley. Bank of the Sierra is a community-centric regional bank, which offers a full range of retail and commercial banking services with full- service branches located within the counties of Tulare, Kern, Kings, Fresno, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara. The bank also maintains an online branch, and provides specialized lending services through an agricultural credit center, a real estate industries center, and an SBA center. In 2018, Bank of the Sierra received a Bauer Financial 5- star rating, an honor only awarded to the strongest financial institutions in the country.