First Financial Federal Credit Union awarded $174,000 in scholarships to 58 graduating high school seniors from the class of 2026 through the Credit Union’s Scholarship Program. Each student received a $3,000 scholarship to support their next steps in higher education. Since launching the program in 1998, the credit union has awarded $2.9 million in scholarships to more than 927 students.

The program is open to graduating student members who attend public schools in Baltimore, Carroll, Accomack, Somerset, and Worcester counties, as well as eligible private schools within the credit union’s field of membership. Scholarship recipients were recognized at First Financial’s 73rd Annual Meeting on April 16, 2026.

“We recognize that the transition to higher education is an important step for students and their families,” said Cindy Jones, Vice President of Growth and Engagement. “Our scholarship program offers financial support during this meaningful time and reinforces our commitment to strengthening the communities we serve.”

For details on First Financial outreach in the community, visit firstfinancial.org/community. To learn more about being a part of the First Financial difference, visit firstfinancial.org.

First Financial Federal Credit Union awarded a $100,000 Legacy of Leadership Grant to Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) in support of professional development programs and in recognition of the credit union’s long-standing partnership with the school system. The grant also serves to honor the leadership of First Financial Youth Outreach Manager, Cindy Jones, as she completes her tenure as President of the Education Foundation of BCPS.

“The First Financial FCU Legacy of Leadership Grant is a tremendous investment in Team BCPS staff and will provide us with an opportunity to strengthen and expand our training and development programs,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers. “We are grateful for the 70+ years of dedicated partnership and support and thank First Financial FCU for their unwavering commitment to Team BCPS staff, students, and families.”

The grant funding will support the Central Staff Induction Program (CSIP) and ASPIRE BCPS Professional Leadership Development Program as well as future leadership training opportunities. The grant is an important affirmation of the value of leadership in education. As the credit union founded by and for Baltimore County Public Schools more than 70 years ago, First Financial is dedicated to supporting BCPS educators and professionals in their leadership development to ensure quality education for students and to create a stronger, more vital community.

“Our storied history with Baltimore County Public Schools is a testament to the power and importance of school and business partnerships,” said VP/Chief Marketing Officer, Stephanie Peltzer. “This grant will support vital training and professional enrichment for future BCPS leaders and pays tribute to Cindy Jones, Youth Outreach Manager, who is an industry leader in service to both educators and students.”

First Financial, a member-owned credit union serving school systems, businesses, and hospitals, within Maryland and now Virginia, strives to deliver service excellence while providing their members with products, tools, and resources to live financially well. In addition to offering numerous rewards programs benefitting their members, the credit union also supports their local community through volunteerism and financial donations to partner groups such as Baltimore, Carroll, Worcester, Somerset, and Accomack County Public Schools, Baltimore-area hospitals, and community service organizations.

To learn more about being a part of the First Financial difference, visit firstfinancial.org or call Member Services at 410-321-6060.

First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU), a member-owned credit union that prioritizes giving back, concluded 2023 with over $35,000 in donations and support to several local community partners within the Baltimore, Carroll, Somerset, and Worcester County areas. Overall, First Financial donated over $300,000 to community partners and organizations throughout 2023.

Most recently, FFFCU joined WBAL Radio for their annual WBAL Kids Campaign live event in Baltimore County. The credit union was thrilled to present an $8,500 check to the campaign that benefits Baltimore youth with academic scholarships, summer programs, and grants to provide toys and basic needs for children and their families over the holiday season. 

Additionally, First Financial donated $9,500 to purchase holiday hams, provided by Hahn’s of Westminster, to Carroll County Food Sunday (CCFS). Carroll County Food Sunday provides weekly nutritious grocery packages to over 550 families served between the Westminster, Eldersburg, and Taneytown locations.

To continue the holiday giveback, First Financial participated in the annual gift drive for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carroll County (BGC). FFFCU employees adopted 26 children in the gift drive and donated $850 towards programs at the Clubs.

First Financial also donated $2,500 to each Families in Transition (FIT) programs at Worcester County Public Schools and Somerset County Public Schools. The FIT program provides homeless students with access to clothing, food, transportation assistance, and occasional temporary housing.

The Judy Centers that work in conjunction with the Somerset and Worcester County public school systems each received $2,500 from First Financial. The Judy Centers provide support to disadvantaged families with young children and connects them with local service providers for resources such as adult education, health screenings, engagement activities, parenting classes, etc.

In November, First Financial donated $10,000 to new partner, the Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute. Funding was used to provide leadership programming and resources to Baltimore County Public School professionals.

To learn more about being a part of the First Financial difference, visit firstfinancial.org or call Member Services at 1-800-903-3328.

In the 25^th year of First Financial Federal Credit Union’s Scholarship Program, 53 graduating seniors were rewarded a total of $159,000 in scholarships for post-secondary institutions.

The annual Scholarship Program is open to graduating students who attend Baltimore, Carroll, Worcester, and Somerset County Public Schools as well as private schools within First Financial’s field of membership. Since 1998, scholarships totaling $2.3 million have been awarded to over 750 hardworking students. 

“It is an absolute honor to assist the soon-to-be graduates in continuing their education,” said Eric Church, First Financial President/CEO. “We couldn’t be prouder of these scholars and wish them nothing but success as they take on the next chapter of their lives.”   

To qualify, First Financial’s student members were required to submit an application, transcripts, references, and a written essay. Finalists were selected by the credit union’s volunteer-based Scholarship Committee. The students receiving a scholarship were recognized at the credit union’s 70^th Annual Meeting on April 20, 2023.

First Financial Federal Credit Union scholarship winners were recognized at the credit unions 70^th Annual Meeting on April 20, 2023. $159,000 was awarded to 53 high school students within the credit unions field of membership.

First Financial Federal Credit Union deepened its commitment to the Carroll County community by donating a total of $35,000 to benefit three Carroll County partner organizations.

The credit union recently pledged $100,000 over a 5-year period to the Carroll Community College Foundation. Beginning in 2023 through the 2027/2028 school year, First Financial will donate $20,000 each year to the Foundation. Proceeds will benefit their Athletic Program, New Start Program, and Student Emergency Assistance Fund. First Financial and Carroll Community College have partnered for the benefit of the Carroll County community for 25 years. This commitment will allow the organizations to continue their partnership for years to come.

First Financial also made a $10,000 donation to Carroll County Food Sunday (CCFS), a non-profit organization who has played a critical role serving the food-insecure population within Carroll County since 1982. Every week, CCFS distributes nutritionally balanced grocery packages that consist of meat, eggs, fruits, vegetables, bread, and milk to over 400 families in the Carroll County community. First Financial’s donation will help purchase food and resources to support their weekly distribution.

Additionally, FFFCU made a $5,000 donation to its partner of 32 years, Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS). The donation will go toward the Student Support Fund of CCPS and will give families in the community access to a variety of resources such as clothing, shoes, musical instruments, food, and clean bedding when it is needed the most.

“First Financial has been committed to the Carroll County community for over 30 years,” said Eric Church, President and CEO of First Financial. “These organizations have been successful in assisting those in need throughout Carroll County and partnering with them helps pave the way to an even stronger community that First Financial is honored to support and serve.”

September 16, 2021 (Sparks, MD) – To help prepare for a successful school year, First Financial Federal Credit Union pledged $1,000 to support educators, who often use personal funds to purchase needed classroom supplies. This financial assistance was given to fulfill the classroom wish lists of ten area educators through its “FFFCU Clears the List” campaign.

As an education-based credit union, First Financial rallied local support and gathered nominations of educators who go above and beyond from its members and the community. Nominations were accepted for educators within Baltimore County Public Schools, Carroll County Public Schools and private schools within the credit union’s field of membership.

By the conclusion of the campaign, First Financial had received more than 180 nominations, from which it selected 10 recipients. In honor of their outstanding contributions, each educator received $100 along with a certificate of recognition from First Financial. See First Financial’s Community Site for full list of recipients and to read their inspirational stories.

Cindy Jones, CEPF, First Financial Youth Outreach Manager was thrilled by the enthusiastic response from the credit union’s members who were eager to recognize outstanding teachers in the community. “We share our members’ deep admiration for hardworking educators. Our Clear the List campaign was our small way to honor and celebrate all that they do, going above and beyond for their students, schools and communities,” she said.

To learn more about First Financial and membership eligibility, visit firstfinancial.org or call Member Services at 410-321-6060, option 5.