A closer look at First Utah Bank’s 2023 charitable giving

The spirit of community and giving back is etched in the very foundation of First Utah Bank. As Utah’s premier community bank, First Utah has not only made it its mission to serve the financial needs of its customers but also to actively support the communities it operates in. Underscoring this commitment, in 2022, the Bank made an impressive mark in the philanthropic space by contributing an astounding $319,250 in charitable donations, a clear testament to the bank’s dedication to fostering a better tomorrow.

In 2023, First Utah Bank is carrying forward this tradition of generosity, targeting its efforts on a broad spectrum of needs within the communities they serve. With plans to contribute to 24 charities in the coming year, the bank has taken a focused approach, prioritizing the needs of women and children and zeroing in on the urgent issue of food insecurity. This strategic giving approach demonstrates First Utah Bank’s keen understanding of its community’s needs and its unwavering commitment to making a tangible impact. Here are some of the most recent checks we’ve handed out to organizations serving Utahns.

ShelterKids, Inc.

ShelterKids is located in Salt Lake County, Utah and every year in Salt Lake County more than 9000 kids are victims of abuse, neglect, or foster care disruption, ShelterKids provides a supportive and stable environment during stressful periods in children’s lives.

ShelterKids is dedicated to the well-being of these youth through emergency residential care, temporary housing, counseling, preventative health, access to education, and recreational activities. ShelterKids is a non-profit organization that has been assisting children and families in crisis since 1978. The working capital grant money will be used to support emergency residential care, temporary housing needs, funding for counseling, and preventative healthcare.

Salt Lake Mission

First Utah Bank supports the Salt Lake City Mission through its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program. Salt Lake City Mission is located in Salt Lake County, Utah which is within the Bank’s identified CRA assessment area. The Salt Lake City Mission is a nonprofit Inner City Church-based rescue mission ministry. The Mission provides essentials such as food, clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, and hygiene items to the homeless and others in need within Salt Lake City. The Mission provides services such as crisis intervention and counseling, job counseling and placement, education assistance, birth certificate, and identification assistance.

In addition, the Mission offers a residential rehabilitation program to men who are struggling with addiction. The Mission provides a daily shuttle bringing the homeless to the Day Center to offer help connect them with the support and services they need. The grant will support food support and collaboration of services within the Salt Lake Valley to connect the homeless population and others in need to help the underserved with a path to self-sufficiency.

Granite Education Foundation

Utah Bank supports the Granite Education Foundation through its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program. The Granite Education Foundation is located in Salt Lake County, Utah which is within the Bank’s identified CRA assessment area. Granite Education Foundation is an independent, community-based organization that mobilizes ideas, leadership, and money necessary to enable and encourage private individuals and businesses to make a direct and meaningful impact on children and education within Granite School District. Organizational programs improve student achievement, lessen student dropout, provide assistance and opportunities for students of low-income families, support creative classroom projects and honor selected individuals who have made an impact in our schools.

The organization solicits the crucially needed resources essential to bridge budget disparities, reduce inequities and create opportunities for ALL students and their families. Board members are enthusiastic advocates for strong societal support of public education. The Granite Education Foundation supports the student low-income, refugee, and homeless students and families within the Granite School District. More than 50% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch, 1500 students are experiencing homelessness, and over 100 languages and dialects are spoken by students within the Granite School District. The Working Capital grant will support the operational needs to purchase food for weekend and summer food backpacks, school supplies, winter coats & boots, clothing, and hygiene items for the students in need.