TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Vantage West Credit Union, in collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco), will deliver $150,000 AHEAD Program grants to Groundswell Capital, Pascua Yaqui Development Corporation, and Sahuarita Food Bank in support of their efforts to drive economic growth, enhance workforce development, and create equitable opportunities for underserved communities throughout Southern Arizona.

“Vantage West is committed to making a lasting impact in the communities we serve, and these AHEAD Program grants are a powerful way to drive meaningful change,” said Jon Bruflat, VP of Community Impact at Vantage West. “Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient.”

Vantage West applied for the grant in partnership with these non-profits. After a competitive selection process, the three nonprofits were awarded the AHEAD Program grants to fund the critical work they do in the community:

• Groundswell Capital Juntos: Microenterprise Job Training and Loan Fund: Groundswell Capital’s mission is to eliminate barriers to entry into Arizona’s skilled trades for aspiring contractors. The Juntos program will support this mission by providing high-quality job training and education along with zero percent interest microloans. Bolstered by microlending expertise, deep bilingual outreach, and trusted community partnerships, this expansion will empower a new generation of contractors with the tools, training, and support to succeed. AHEAD funds will support the organization’s revolving loan fund and employee wages.
• Pascua Yaqui Development Corporation’s (PYDC) Career Pivot Center – New Pascua Project Facilities: PYDC works to develop successful businesses that will diversify and strengthen its Tribal economy. The purpose of this project is to establish essential utility infrastructure at a job training site with a welcoming and professional environment. AHEAD funds will enable contractors to establish a fully equipped training site to support long-term skills development and workforce readiness for the Pascua Yaqui community.
• Sahuarita Food Bank Project VERDE: ag Driven: Sahuarita Food Bank and Community Resource Center’s mission is to find innovative and resourceful ways to mitigate hunger. Project Verde will create a demonstration project to grow food using a large-scale hydroponic system in the challenging environment of the Southwest desert. Using off-the-shelf materials, this initiative aims to show that hydroponic farming can be affordable, create jobs and generate surplus food for lower-income clients. It is designed to be scalable, documenting construction and operation processes to enable replication by others. AHEAD funds will help build the container farm and support staff salaries.

 “As the grants landscape continues to become more competitive, we were excited to secure these awards for our business members,” added Bruflat. “Successive wins since 2019 demonstrates the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to regional development.”

AHEAD grants enable FHLBank San Francisco members including Vantage West to boost local economic development programs and projects that directly address the needs in low-to-moderate-income communities.

“In this year’s highly competitive application cycle, we received 400 AHEAD grant proposals, underscoring the widespread need for support to drive local economic vitality across our district,” said Eric Cicourel, Community Investment Officer at FHLBank San Francisco. “We are proud to partner with Vantage West in awarding these grants to Groundswell Capital, PYDC, and to the Sahuarita Food Bank and Community Resource Center, recognizing the important work they do in their community. AHEAD is a voluntary grant program and a benefit of FHLBank San Francisco membership that reflects our broader mission to be a dependable source of liquidity for community lenders and a catalyst for housing and economic development in the communities we serve.”

For those interested in applying for the AHEAD Program in 2026, please contact Vantage West Credit Union or visit the FHLBank San Francisco website to learn more.

Vantage West Credit Union 
Vantage West is one of the largest credit unions in Arizona. Established in 1955 to serve personnel at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the credit union has expanded to serve members in Pima, Pinal, Maricopa, and Cochise Counties. Vantage West offers consumer and business banking services and is federally insured by NCUA. Learn more at www.vantagewest.org.

Groundswell Capital
Groundswell Capital is Arizona’s first green bank, dedicated to creating a more resilient and equitable future by providing affordable, flexible funding to underserved communities. Their mission focuses on promoting economic justice and climate resilience by addressing gaps in financing that have traditionally left out underrepresented groups. Groundswell Capital supports small businesses, clean energy projects, and workforce development, ensuring all Arizonans have access to the resources needed to thrive in a sustainable and inclusive economy. Learn more at www.groundswellcapital.org.

Pascua Yaqui Development Corporation
The Pascua Yaqui Development Corporation (PYDC), established in 2018 by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, is a federally chartered Section 17 corporation dedicated to diversifying and strengthening the Tribal economy. PYDC fosters economic growth, job creation, and self-sufficiency for the Pascua Yaqui community through strategic business ventures in construction, real estate, and workforce development. Learn more at www.pydcorporation.com.

Sahuarita Food Bank
The Sahuarita Food Bank is an independent Arizona nonprofit dedicated to building community and increasing well-being through nutrition and health, family support, and workforce development. Founded in 2009, the organization now serves hundreds of families weekly and offers programs that address hunger and its root causes. Its mission is to feed the hungry and empower individuals by providing food assistance, education, advocacy, and resources that help people achieve self-sufficiency.

Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant and resilient.

SOURCE Vantage West Credit Union