Valley Strong Credit Union (formerly known as Kern Schools Federal Credit Union) is a state-chartered credit union based in Bakersfield, California. Designated as a 501(c)(14) organization, the credit union operates as a cooperative financial institution with a mission to promote thrift and savings among its members. The organization employs approximately 717-793 people and serves members across multiple states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.9B
-2.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
+25.4% YoY
Grant Count
45
+50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$38K
-16.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Valley Strong Credit Union's mission centers on promoting thrift and savings among its members while improving their economic and social conditions. The organization distributes earnings, savings, benefits, and services to its members as patronage, functioning as a democratic source of credit with rates set by the board of directors.
Beyond traditional credit union services, the organization provides educational programming including conferences and workshops held approximately twice monthly. Topics covered include auto and home buying, retirement and wealth management, business banking, cyber security, and Medicare assistance. The credit union also conducts offsite financial literacy classes at local schools and colleges to introduce young community members to financial knowledge.
Grantmaking
Valley Strong Credit Union engages in grantmaking activities with the following characteristics:
Grant Range
**: $6,000 to $555,500
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Valley Strong Credit Union's grantmaking activities primarily target California, Wisconsin, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $3.9 billion to $4.03 billion (as of 2023-2024)
Revenue: $265 million (2023)
Expenses: $247 million (2023)
Total Liabilities: $3.75 billion (2023)
Giving Rate: Approximately 0.02% of assets annually
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,916,563,936 | $4,028,096,555 | $4,187,947,178 |
| Revenue | $263,698,848 | $265,074,915 | $194,067,226 |
| Expenses | $233,387,885 | $246,997,316 | $177,414,551 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $20,766,370 | $15,995,953 | $4,880,510 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
134 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bakersfield College Foundation Inc ($500,000), Csub Foundation ($310,500), Children's Miracle Network Hospitals ($117,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC BAKERSFIELD, CA | TO ASSIST IN EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS BY FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS & ENHANCING COLLEGE FACILITIES. | $500,000 |
| CUSPINCDBA CU STRATEGIC PLANNING TACOMA, WA | TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL EDUCATION RESOURCES FOR CREDIT UNIONS. | $105,000 |
| CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS IRVINE, CA | TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS. | $117,500 |
| CSUB FOUNDATION BAKERSFIELD, CA | TO ASSIST CSU BAKERSFIELD IN PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS & IMPROVING CAMPUS FACILITIES. | $310,500 |
| GREATER BAKERSFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BAKERSFIELD, CA | TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING NETWORKING AND PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OF MEMBER BUSINESSES. | $70,000 |
| KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BAKERSFIELD, CA | TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER PROGRAMS OF THE KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT. | $40,000 |
| BAKERSFIELD WOMEN'S BUSINESS CONFERENCE BAKERSFIELD, CA | TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR WOMEN AT A CROSSROADS. | $35,000 |
| MEALS ON WHEELS OF SOLANO COUNTY INC SUISUN, CA | TO SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENCE, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING OF SENIORS BY REGULARLY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND HUMAN CONNECTION. | $28,400 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INC SACRAMENTO, CA | TO ASSIST IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH FOR ALL. | $25,000 |
| CALIFORNIA FORWARD HERCULES, CA | TO HELP BUILD A NEW CALIFORNIA ECONOMY THAT IS RESILIENT, SUSTAINABLE, AND INCLUSIVE. | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR S WILLIAM BRUCE | BOARD CHAIRPERSON | 3 | — |
| DR BRYON SCHAEFER | 1ST VICE CHAIRMAN | 3 | $6,142 |
| VALENCIA JONES | 2ND VICE CHAIRMAN | 3 | $2,208 |
| MARILYN JONES | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| DENNIS SCOTT | TREASURER | 3 | $1,165 |
| JOE DREW | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JOANNE MILLS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | $810 |
| MIKE KILEEN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CARL BA LANGE III | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| DR LARRY REIDER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MARK MORENO | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | $1,626 |
| TROY FRINGER | SUPV CMTE CHAIR | 3 | $808 |
| RAMON HENDRIX | SUPV CMTE MEMBER | 2 | $3,525 |
| TENIELLE TENSLEY | SUPV CMTE MEMBER | 2 | $1,862 |
| NICHOLAS AMBROSINI | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $1,475,711 |
| LINDSAY REYES | SVP/CFO | 40 | $508,591 |
| MICHAEL P DUFFY RETIRED | EVP/CHIEF ADVOCACY OFFICER | — | $4,465,260 |
| MIRELLA ELIZABETH REZNIC | EVP/CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER | 40 | $958,430 |
| STEVEN MATEJKA | EVP/CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $908,495 |
| CHARLES ALLEN SMITH | SVP/CHIEF LENDING OFFICER | 40 | $543,802 |
| ERIN RICKELLE ESTELLE | SVP/CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | 40 | $538,738 |
| LINDSEY A BALUKOFF STRANGE | SVP/CHIEF RETAIL OFFICER | 40 | $528,421 |
| STEPHEN C ROACH RETIRED | SVP/CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER | — | $525,276 |
| DEANNA L BLAISE | SVP/CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER | 40 | $508,047 |
| MARK MANNS | SVP/CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES | 40 | $448,988 |
| NIKI MYRTO KOIMTZOGLOU | SVP/CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER | 40 | $346,621 |
| NILENDU SAHA | SVP/CHIEF TECH OFFICER | 40 | $260,100 |
| KEVIN LEE EMPERGER-LANDEL | SVP/CHIEF TECH OFFICER | 40 | $188,723 |
| NORA M STROH RETIRED | LEGACY AMBASSADOR | — | $1,601,812 |
| STEVEN G LEIGA RETIRED | VP OF ACCOUNTING | — | $1,565,315 |
| JAMES B HUSSEY | VP OF WEALTH MANAGEMENT | 40 | $437,969 |
| BRIAN GRANT REYNOLDS | VP OF REAL ESTATE LENDING | 40 | $406,965 |
| KEVIN MICHAEL LANGE | VP OF FINANCE AND CAPITAL MARKETS | 40 | $335,655 |
| JOSHUA ALLEN FETTING | VP OF CONSUMER LENDING | 40 | $312,280 |
| CHRISTOPHER C TRIVERS | VP SALESFORCE ENTERPRISE | 40 | $285,710 |
| RICHARD NEAL SAZAMA | VP OF FACILITIES AND CAPITAL PROJECTS | 40 | $275,274 |
| SHIRA B SPECTOR | VP OF BUSINESS STRATEGY & INSIGHT | 40 | $271,480 |
| CHEI WHITMORE | MARKET PRESIDENT | 40 | $264,626 |
| KATHLEEN JULIA KELLY | MARKET PRESIDENT | 40 | $259,391 |
| BRIDGET LYNN JOHNSON | MARKET PRESIDENT | 40 | $236,221 |
| KYLE DUEY | DIRECTOR OF CONSUMER LENDING SALES AND SERVIC | 40 | $234,887 |
| STACY PHELPS | VP OF ACCOUNTING | 40 | $225,500 |
| VANESSA L HUDSON | DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS LENDI | 40 | $216,537 |
| CHRISTINA ANN TRAYERS | VP OF PRODUCT AND DIGITAL SOLUTIONS | 40 | $194,085 |
| CHRISTOPHER J MCGOWN | DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES | 40 | $187,305 |
| NISHANT JAIN | VP OF ENGINEERING | 40 | $183,000 |
| MARICRUZ RAINEY | DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE | 40 | $181,681 |
| SUSAN MAYS | HEAD OF RETAIL OPERATIONS | 40 | $180,521 |
| FRANK XIAODONG FENG | LICENSED FINANCIAL ADVISOR | 40 | $1,005,110 |
| EDWARD KEELIN JR | IT GOVERNANCE MANAGER | 40 | $300,279 |
| RICHARD RAMOS | LICENSED FINANCIAL ADVISOR | 40 | $267,423 |
| ERIC STEINBACK | SENIOR BUSINESS BANKING OF | 40 | $230,086 |
| MARIA L TRANCOSO | SENIOR BUSINESS BANKING OFFICER | 40 | $226,270 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Valley Strong Credit Union has expanded its physical presence, opening a new full-service branch and administrative office in Fairfield. The organization has also received recognition as an outstanding business in its community.
Valley First Credit Union receives prestigious grant from Federal Home LoanThe credit union received a prestigious grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco to support initiatives empowering underserved communities and driving economic growth in the Central Valley region.
Valley First Credit Union receives prestigious grant from Federal Home LoanSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Valley Strong Cu Fka fund?
Valley Strong Credit Union's mission centers on promoting thrift and savings among its members while improving their economic and social conditions. The organization distributes earnings, savings, benefits, and services to its members as patronage, functioning as a democratic source of credit with rates set by the board of directors. Beyond traditional credit union services, the organization provides educational programming including conferences and workshops held approximately twice monthly. T…
How do I apply for a grant from Valley Strong Cu Fka?
Valley Strong Credit Union engages in grantmaking activities with the following characteristics: • **Total Annual Giving**: $751,003 (2023) to $2,315,876 (2024) • **Number of Grants**: 27 grants annually • **Grant Range**: $6,000 to $555,500 • **Median Grant Size**: $11,000 • **Application Policy**: Invite-only; does not accept unsolicited applications Primary funding focus areas include Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
Where does Valley Strong Cu Fka make grants?
Valley Strong Credit Union's grantmaking activities primarily target California, Wisconsin, and Washington.
What size grants does Valley Strong Cu Fka award?
In 2024, Valley Strong Cu Fka awarded 45 grants totaling $1.7M — an average of about $38K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Valley Strong Cu Fka's EIN?
Valley Strong Cu Fka's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-1652797. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Valley Strong Cu Fka's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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