Premier America Credit Union
Premier America Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative based in Chatsworth, California. Founded in 1957, it serves members in parts of California and Texas. Its stated mission is to promote saving, provide members access to credit, and help them improve their economic and social conditions.
Premier America Credit Union at a glance
In short: Premier America Credit Union gave $325K across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $25K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $325,150
- -0.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- +8.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $25,012
- -7.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $3,396,098,525
- -2.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (85% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Premier America Credit Union
- Contact
Mailing address: 19867 Prairie Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Phone: (818) 772-4011
Website: https://premieramerica.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Premier America Credit Union funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Premier America Foundation ($150K). Together the top 10 received $305K.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 38 grants of 42 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The credit union’s website says it serves Los Angeles and Ventura counties in California and Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties in Texas. In 2024, 85% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in California, 9% to Wisconsin, and 6% to Alabama.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
How Premier America Credit Union gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $63K (2020) to $326K (2023). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $325K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Premier America Foundation Chatsworth, CA | Program Support | $150,000 |
| California State University Channel Islands Foundation Camarillo, CA | Program Support | $36,000 |
| National Credit Union Foundation Madison, WI | Program Support | $30,000 |
| Csun Foundation Camarillo, AL | Philanthropist Sponsorship | $20,000 |
| Children's Miracle Network Cu for Kids Wine Auction Irvine, CA | Program Support | $15,000 |
| Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) Camarillo, CA | Program Support | $15,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard Oxnard, CA | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Westlake Village, CA | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Toarts Thousand Oaks, CA | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Northridge Hospital Foundation Northridge, CA | Program Support | $8,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,396,098,525 | $172,505,825 | $181,541,379 | $325,150 | 13 | $23,787,719 |
| 2023 | $3,473,374,773 | $158,602,721 | $150,631,543 | $325,950 | 12 | $13,234,873 |
| 2022 | $3,773,072,753 | $127,070,331 | $109,818,679 | $193,400 | 6 | $7,741,861 |
| 2021 | $3,406,612,540 | $107,505,968 | $91,505,540 | $158,095 | 8 | $6,663,276 |
| 2020 | $3,211,246,372 | $111,058,082 | $104,615,610 | $62,500 | 3 | $5,649,383 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The credit union’s 2024 filing describes its purpose as promoting thrift and savings among members, creating a source of credit for them, and enabling them to use and control their money on a democratic basis. The filing also says it gives to established charitable organizations based on credit union industry relationships and community relevance, including through cash contributions and event sponsorships. It states that grant funds are not monitored after distribution.
The credit union’s website describes financial education and community investment as part of its work. Its separate Premier America Foundation says its mission is to support local organizations and provide financial empowerment programs and services for youth, young adults, and marginalized communities; the Foundation also identifies food insecurity and capital impact projects as focus areas.
Among the 2024 grantees, the National Credit Union Foundation describes its mission as improving financial well-being with and through credit unions. Somos Familia Valle describes itself as a San Fernando Valley LGBTQ+ community organization supporting and mobilizing families and allies for racial, gender, and economic justice.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the credit union reported 13 grants totaling $325,150. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $150,000, with a median of $10,000. The filing describes grants as supporting established charities and notes that they may be cash contributions or event sponsorships.
The largest reported grants included $150,000 to Premier America Foundation for program support, $36,000 to California State University Channel Islands Foundation for program support, and $30,000 to National Credit Union Foundation for program support. Other listed recipients included CSUN Foundation ($20,000; philanthropist sponsorship), Children’s Miracle Network CU for Kids Wine Auction ($15,000), Ventura County Community Development Corporation ($15,000), Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard ($10,000), Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce ($10,000), TOARTS ($10,000), Northridge Hospital Foundation ($8,500), Ventura County Boy Scouts of America ($8,000), and City of Port Hueneme ($6,650). The listed purposes for these other grants were program support unless otherwise noted.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Rodolfo Pereira as President & CEO; Joann Klonowski as Chair; Eva Gomez as Vice Chair; and Bill Hampel as Secretary/Treasurer. It also lists Gary Holmen, Larry Martin, William Cole, Larry Colson, Mechelle Best, and Eric Goldner as directors.
Premier America Credit Union is led by Rodolfo Pereira, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; all 22 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rodolfo Pereira
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$880K (2020) → $6.1M (2024)
Joann Klonowski
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$695 (2022) → $500 (2024)
Eric Goldner
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $817 (2024)
Gary Holmen
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$6K (2022) → $8K (2024)
Larry Colson
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$695 (2022) → $1K (2024)
Larry Martin
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $4K (2024)
William Cole
Director
Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $1K (2024)
Mechelle Best
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$400 (2023) → $500 (2024)
Ernesto Norona
Chief Operations Officer
Chief Loan Officer → Chief Lending Officer, 2021
Chief Lending Officer → Chief Operations Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$324K (2020) → $496K (2024)
Eva Gomez
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
Secretary & Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $4K (2024)
Kelly Karren
Financial Advisor
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$265K (2020) → $511K (2024)
Marcia Girardi
Chief Experience Officer
Senior Vice President & Chief Experience → Chief Experience Officer, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$311K (2020) → $460K (2024)
Toni Daniels
Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
Chief Administrative Officer → Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$332K (2020) → $462K (2024)
Anthony Velarde
Financial Advisor
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$243K (2021) → $347K (2024)
Bill Hampel
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
$3K (2022) → $5K (2024)
David Fitzgerald
Chief Lending Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$265K (2022) → $432K (2024)
Ie-Chen Cheng
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$169K (2022) → $581K (2024)
Charles Kim
Vice President & Commercial Lending
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$241K (2023) → $271K (2024)
Shelley Tam
Chief People Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$288K (2023) → $386K (2024)
Tamara Scott
Vice President & Retail Deliver
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$230K (2023) → $276K (2024)
Jason Wolkove
Chief Technology Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$311K (2024)
Ye Su
Vice President & Wealth Management
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$335K (2024)
Former officers (11)
- Former: Janakirmana Yandapalli (2020–2023) — Former Chief Tech Officer
- Former: Todd Helmerson (2023) — Vice President & Residential Lending
- Former: Ernie Celaya (2020–2022) — Mortgage Loan Officer
- Former: John De Vere Jr. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kurt Ford (2020–2022) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Orlando Duque (2020–2022) — Mortgage Loan Officer
- Former: W. Brad Cunningham (2020–2022) — Former CFO
- Former: Brindon Gardner (2022) — Mortgage Loan Officer
- Former: Steven Barrett (2021) — Vice President & Wealth Management
- Former: Caroline St Peter (2020) — Assistant Manager & Collections
- Former: Renee Johns (2020) — Vice President & Retail Delivery
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $6.1M, to Rodolfo Pereira (President & CEO). 22 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Premier America Credit Union
How much does Premier America Credit Union give each year?
Premier America Credit Union gave $325K across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $326K across 12 grants.
What is Premier America Credit Union's typical grant size?
Premier America Credit Union's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $25,012, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Premier America Credit Union give grants?
Premier America Credit Union gives mostly in California: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Wisconsin (9%) and Alabama (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Camarillo, CA (3 grants).
Does Premier America Credit Union give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Premier America Credit Union's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (12 grants).
Who are Premier America Credit Union's largest grantees?
Premier America Credit Union's largest 2024 grantees include Premier America Foundation ($150,000), California State University Channel Islands Foundation ($36,000) and National Credit Union Foundation ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Premier America Credit Union?
Premier America Credit Union reported $3.4B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $172.5M.
What does Premier America Credit Union fund?
The credit union’s 2024 filing describes its purpose as promoting thrift and savings among members, creating a source of credit for them, and enabling them to use and control their money on a democratic basis. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Premier America Credit Union?
Premier America Credit Union has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check premieramerica.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Premier America Credit Union's EIN?
Premier America Credit Union's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3442691. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Premier America Credit Union's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Premier America Credit Union funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/premier-america-credit-union-morg_d6d656f6f942468abdfc7851a345ed7e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_953442691_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Premier America Credit Union funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/premier-america-credit-union-morg_d6d656f6f942468abdfc7851a345ed7e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Premier America Credit Union's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Premier America Credit Union down — hundreds of funders to go?