BIRMINGHAM, AL — AmFirst has been selected as one of 24 credit unions nationwide to receive funding through the National Credit Union Foundation’s At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grant.
The grant will support AmFirst’s partnership with Vox Academy and the expansion of its Music, Movement & Money program, an interactive initiative designed to teach financial concepts to at-risk youth through music, creative expression, movement and real-world financial discussions.
The program covers topics including budgeting, saving, credit, banking and setting financial goals, with an emphasis on presenting the information in ways intended to engage young participants.
“Financial well-being is about much more than teaching someone how to budget; it’s about helping young people see what is possible for their lives,” said Nikita Mathews, financial education program lead at AmFirst. “When we reach young people early, meet them where they are, and provide practical tools, support, and opportunities to apply what they learn, we can help change the trajectory of not only their financial future but also their families’ and communities’ futures.”
Mathews leads AmFirst’s financial wellness program, which focuses on expanding access to financial education and providing participants with resources to strengthen their financial knowledge and confidence.
According to the National Credit Union Foundation, this year’s grant program received the strongest response to a call for applications in the program’s history.
“A young person’s financial well-being is the throughline that influences nearly every opportunity that follows, from education and employment to housing and long-term stability,” said Lauren Culp, executive director of the National Credit Union Foundation. “What we saw in this grant cycle was extraordinary commitment from 24 credit unions eager to address those challenges in their communities.”
The grant period runs from Sept. 30, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.
AmFirst, founded in 1936 by members of Birmingham’s steel industry, is a federally chartered community credit union serving more than 200,000 members through 22 locations in 13 Alabama counties. The credit union reports more than $2.7 billion in assets.
The National Credit Union Foundation is the charitable arm of the U.S. credit union movement and supports programs, grants and other initiatives focused on financial well-being and financial education.
