Donations for Teachers and Students
2025 Results
Thank you to everyone who supported and shared our 2026 #FFFCULikeForACause event! In 48 hours, we received an incredible 193 LIKES and 61 SHARES!
Thanks to your efforts, we’ll donate $255 to each of the incredible school systems below… that’s $1,530 to support our community!
Our 8th Annual #FFFCULikeForACause social blitz is almost here! Get ready to like, share, and help make a difference as we come together to support the students, educators, and schools in our community.
What is #FFFCULikeForACause?
All you have to do is LIKE!
It’s easy – for 24 hours, starting at 12pm on Tuesday, August 4th and now extended through 12pm on Thursday, August 6th, First Financial will donate $1 for every “like” on our official @FFFCUofMD Instagram post. We will donate an additional $1 for every share using #FFFCULikeForACause the post receives.
We’re proud to continue this campaign for an EIGHTH straight year, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of our followers and members! Making a difference takes all of us, so join us in spreading the word and helping us support local schools in our community!
Why #FFFCULikeForACause?
At the end of the campaign, our donation will benefit six of our incredible partner school systems that play a critical role in the continued success of our students and teachers in the community.
Help support the teachers and students in our community by following our official Instagram today!
For more information, read our 2026 Like For A Cause Official Rules.
First Financial was honored to receive the Partner of the Year award at the Education Foundation of BCPS 2025–2026 Year-End Recognition ceremony.
The event also recognized several First Financial employees for their individual achievements:
- Joan Pugh, Relationship Manager, received the Debbie Phelps Award for her outstanding support of the Foundation.
- Cindy Jones, Vice President of Growth and Engagement, was honored with the Hermes Award for her contributions to the strategic planning process.
- Lene McCollum, Business Development Manager, was recognized for her appointment to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
First Financial looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Education Foundation of BCPS and supporting opportunities for students and educators.
First Financial recently showed its support for local classrooms by hosting a Books for Bins drive for the BCPS Education Foundation! Thanks to the generosity of employees and the community, about 150 books were collected to support students and teachers across Baltimore County.
Cindy Jones, Vice President of Growth and Engagement, delivered the books to the Exchangeree at Rosedale/Golden Ring. The Exchangerees are resource centers where BCPS teachers can sign up to “shop” for free classroom supplies, helping them better serve their students.
Each donated book plays a small but meaningful role in supporting learning and sparking a love of reading. First Financial is proud to be part of this effort and thankful to everyone who helped make a difference, one book at a time.
Back for year three! First Financial had a great time at the sold-out Designer Bag BINGO hosted by The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools! From name‑brand bags to special games, raffles, door prizes, and more, our team enjoyed a fun‑filled evening—and even had a couple of lucky winners!
We’re grateful to see that more than $30,000 was raised to support our local educators, students, and schools. Thank you to The Education Foundation for another fantastic night!
Photo credits: Noah Belt
First Financial employees joined the 11th Annual Tee Off for Team BCPS Golf Tournament, where we proudly served as the Platinum Sponsor. The event raised funds for mental health practitioners working in Baltimore County Public Schools.
All proceeds from the event will benefit The Education Foundation of BCPS and the 2026 Mind Over Matters Mental Health Conference.
We’re grateful to everyone who came out and made this event a success. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier future for our schools and our community.
The First Financial team was excited to participate at the third annual Dr. Tim Tooten’s “Stuff the Bus School Supplies Drive” at the Padonia International Elementary in Baltimore County! This summer, First Financial and our employees generously contributed to the credit union’s annual school supply drive. We were proud to donate approximately $6,000 worth of school supplies to support local schools, students and educators!
Throughout August, various ‘Stuff the Bus’ collection sites were held in Baltimore City, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County and Baltimore County. This initiative supports Baltimore-area school districts and education organizations, ensuring students have the resources they need for a great school year.
As a credit union founded by educators, First Financial is committed to giving back to our community and supporting our educational systems however we can.
Check out our photos of the event below!
Donations for Teachers and Students
2025 Results
Thank you to everyone who supported and shared our 2025 #FFFCULikeForACause event! In 24 hours, we received an incredible 489 LIKES and 189 SHARES! That’s awesome!
Thanks to your efforts, we’ll donate $500 to each of the wonderful school systems below… that’s $2,000 to support our community!
What is #FFFCULikeForACause?
All you have to do is LIKE!
It’s easy – for 24 hours, starting at 12pm on Tuesday, July 15th and ending at 12pm on Wednesday, July 16th, First Financial will donate $1 for every “like” on our official @FFFCUofMD Instagram post. We will donate an additional $1 for every share using #FFFCULikeForACause the post receives.
We’re very grateful to continue this campaign for a SEVENTH straight year, and it’s all thanks to the help and support from our followers and members! It takes all of us – so please join us in helping to spread the word and help us support our schools and the youth in our community!
Why #FFFCULikeForACause?
At the end of the campaign, our donation will go to support 4 of our incredible partner school systems that are imperative to the continued success of the teachers and students in our community.
Help support the teachers and students of BCPS, CCPS, SCPS, and WCPS by following our official Instagram today!
For more information, read our 2025 Like For A Cause Official Rules.
The First Financial team had a blast at the sold-out Designer Bag BINGO hosted by The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools! From name-brand bags, special games, raffles, door prizes and more, our team enjoyed the fun-filled evening and even had a few lucky winners!
Proceeds from the inaugural event will support stocking the shelves at the Exchangerees located in Rosedale/Golden Ring and Windsor Mill. The Exchangerees are Team BCPS resource centers that provide supplies for students and teachers to promote educational success.
Plus, we were thrilled to support our partner’s event as a Trendsetting Special Game Sponsor with a $300 donation! Thank you to the Education Foundation for a fantastic evening!
Check out the photo gallery below for some event photos.
First Financial volunteers were thrilled to assist with the summer shopping days at The Exchangeree locations! Our team helped to greet the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) educators and lend a hand while they shopped the shelves for their students and classrooms.
The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools launched its Exchangeree initiative in 2018 to create a community resource center to support BCPS teachers and students. Now with two Exchangeree locations, one in Windsor Mill and the other in Rosedale/Golden Ring, educators can access the resources and supplies they need for free year-round.
Visit the Education Foundation’s website to learn more about upcoming shopping days: Exchangeree Shopping Dates and Times
We are honored to partner again with The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools to support their 2024-2025 Putting Students First Grant! The program will award up to $10,000. Each Grant may receive up to $1,000 to BCPS Elementary, Middle and High Schools.
Visit the Education Foundation of BCPS to learn more about the Putting Students First Grant program and its requirements. Applications close on September 27, 2024.
The project funds should have a clear alignment with BCPS The Compass: Our Pathway to Excellence, The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Contributing to a Brighter Future and the school’s school progress plan, with clear measurable objectives, and overall impact and potential for successful use and/or implementation.
2024-2025 Grant funds can be used to:
- Purchase resources to enhance classroom libraries or individual student literacy needs
- Purchase basic but necessary materials and supplies to meet the academic, health and wellness, social-emotional and/or therapeutic needs of a classroom or student(s)
- Purchase classroom resources to impact the delivery of instruction, aligned with the district’s specifications
- Plan a classroom opportunity/experience to enhance learning
- Pursue innovative professional development or new teaching initiative, aligned with the district’s specifications
Visit the Education Foundation of BCPS to learn more and submit your Putting Students First Application.
To view previous Grant recipients, visit the Foundation’s website.
