First Foundation Inc. Awards $40,000 in Grants to North Texas Nonprofits

09/26/2022

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DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Foundation Inc. (NASDAQ: FFWM), a financial services company with two wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, First Foundation Advisors and First Foundation Bank, today announced it recently awarded grants totaling $40,000 to three North Texas nonprofit organizations in honor of North Texas Giving Day, the nation's largest regional giving event.

One of the founding principles of First Foundation is to establish meaningful connections and relationships with clients, and the natural progression of that principle is to carry the partnership-based approach into the community as well. Through its Supporting Our Communities ("SOC") initiative, First Foundation awards financial grants as well as the opportunity for in-kind consulting services year-round, while also connecting nonprofits with employees to serve in volunteer opportunities and community building activities.

Southern Dallas Progress Community Development Corporation

First Foundation has awarded $15,000 to Southern Dallas Progress CDC, an organization whose mission is to empower, enable and support community members in their efforts to revitalize Southern Dallas communities and neighborhoods. Southern Dallas Progress also serves as a vehicle through which residents and businesses can work together to solve problems and improve life in their community.

"First Foundation's donation will help continue to promote and assist in the development of affordable housing, small business development, and other community empowerment projects in Southern Dallas," said James H. McGee, President and Board Chair, Southern Dallas Progress.

Lovepacs

First Foundation has also awarded $15,000 to Lovepacs, an organization that engages communities to feed children on the free and reduced lunch program in the local school districts, to help ensure no child goes hungry. Lovepacs currently has 10 distribution sites across North Texas and intends to purchase enclosed trailers for their sites to help with food deliveries and pickups from grocery stores and community partners, like the North Texas Food Bank.

"First Foundation's donation will help Lovepacs purchase vehicles to allow the organization to successfully meet the growing needs of the community and make it easier for volunteers and their involvement," said Autumn Chavez, Executive Director, Lovepacs.

Dallas Hope Charities

Finally, First Foundation has awarded $10,000 to Dallas Hope Charities, an organization whose mission has been to reduce homelessness among young adults in North Texas. Grown from a lack of appropriate services and an inconsistent ability to safely serve the LGBTQIA+ community, the Dallas Hope Center is the only local LGBTQIA+ focused homeless youth transitional living center. Dallas Hope Center ("DHC") provides support and intervention services to runaway, homeless, and street youth who have been subjected to sexual abuse, prostitution, trafficking, domestic violence, exploitation, and hate due to sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

"Through First Foundation's grant, DHC can focus on serving our growing number of residents and remove barriers for our LBGTQIA+ young adults to reach independence," said Tamika Perry, Chief Executive Officer, Dallas Hope Charities. "Additionally, by providing work force development training in conjunction with life skills, DHC will help residents gain employment and earn a living wage to lead them to become self-sustainable and ready for permanent housing placements."

"First Foundation is proud to support these North Texas charities to help further their impactful missions within the community," said Scott F. Kavanaugh, Chief Executive Officer, First Foundation Inc. "Strong communities create great prosperity, and we are grateful to be able to invest in North Texas."

First Foundation relocated its corporate headquarters from Irvine, CA to Dallas, TX in April 2021, and recently expanded by opening a Plano branch in May 2022. At the time of its relocation, First Foundation committed to adding Dallas-Fort Worth to its corporate nonprofit giving initiative, Supporting Our Communities ("SOC"). Since that time, First Foundation has sought to build strong ties with local nonprofits and the community. These grants are an example of the organization's partnership and commitment to local Dallas-area nonprofits and the North Texas region.

About First Foundation

First Foundation Inc. (NASDAQ: FFWM) and its subsidiaries offer personal banking, business banking, and private wealth management services, including investment, trust, insurance, and philanthropy services. This comprehensive platform of financial services is designed to help clients at any stage in their financial journey. The broad range of financial products and services offered by First Foundation are more consistent with those offered by larger financial institutions, while its high level of personalized service, accessibility, and responsiveness to clients is more aligned with community banks and boutique wealth management firms. This combination of an integrated platform of comprehensive financial products and personalized service differentiates First Foundation from many of its competitors and has contributed to the growth of its client base and business. Learn more at firstfoundationinc.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Source: First Foundation Inc.

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