The Affinity Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Basking Ridge-based Affinity Federal Credit Union, announced Tuesday that it reached a historic milestone in 2025, raising a record-high $335,000 to support underserved communities across New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.
Drawing on its 90-year legacy of service, the Foundation translated those funds into $255,000 in direct grants, benefiting 74 individual credit union members and 23 nonprofit organizations dedicated to financial independence and social welfare.
The record-breaking year was fueled by a mix of high-profile events and local community engagement. The Foundation raised over $213,000 through organized events and an additional $21,000 through grassroots fundraising, proving that small contributions from credit union members can lead to massive regional impact.
“Our team stepped up to bring communities together,” said Kelly Watts, Executive Director of the Affinity Foundation. “We reached more lives than ever before and took great inspiration from the people we served.”
2025 also marked the 20th anniversary of the Foundation’s higher education scholarship program. To celebrate, the Foundation awarded $2,500 grants to six standout New Jersey high school seniors to help them pursue their college degrees.
Additionally, the year saw the completion of a major three-year pledge, in which the Foundation delivered a total of $360,000 ($20,000 annually per organization) to six key community partners.
The Foundation distributed $70,000 in specialized grants to organizations tackling the Tri-State area’s most pressing challenges, including domestic violence support, food insecurity, and workforce development.
Notable New Jersey Awardees included:
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180 Turning Lives Around (Hazlet): Emergency domestic violence shelter programs.
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Center for Great Expectations (Somerset): “Mommy & Me” residential support.
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Food Bank Network of Somerset County (Bound Brook): Expansion of fresh food programs.
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Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (Trenton): Education and employment initiatives.
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Lunch Break (Red Bank): Life skills and vocational training.
New York & Connecticut Awardees included:
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Center for Safety and Change (New City, NY): Transitional housing for survivors.
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Homes for the Brave (Bridgeport, CT): Vocational training for veterans.
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Community Center Without Walls (Greenburgh, NY): Youth empowerment apprenticeships.
Beyond the grant funding, Affinity Federal Credit Union teammates volunteered throughout the year, culminating in a massive November holiday drive. Partnering with eight local organizations, the team distributed over 400 gifts and provided vital funding to five regional food pantries.
“Affinity’s commitment to community extends from the financial services we provide to the local organizations we support,” said Kevin Brauer, CEO and President of Affinity Federal Credit Union. “We believe in showing up and giving back.”
As the Foundation looks toward 2026, it plans to expand its grant programs further, focusing on digital literacy and AI-based tools for entrepreneurs via partners like the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship in Chatham.
