IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- First Foundation Inc. (NYSE: FFWM) ("First Foundation"), a financial services company with two wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, First Foundation Advisors and First Foundation Bank, announces the nonprofit recipients of its 'Supporting Our Communities' philanthropy initiative.

First Foundation's 'Supporting Our Communities' initiative is designed to support organizations in our community that focus on immediate needs such as food insecurity, emergency housing, and workforce development, as well as long-term goals like entrepreneurship, higher education scholarships, and financial education.

The program encourages and supports First Foundation employee volunteers in their community efforts. By working together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those who need it most. In 2023, First Foundation employees volunteered over 2,845 hours of their time to nearly 100 nonprofit organizations in our service areas.

"We are grateful to continue the legacy of reinvesting through our Supporting Our Communities program. The critical programs this year's recipients support will impact the lives of generations, and we are proud to support their efforts," said Scott F. Kavanaugh, President, and CEO. "In light of the past years of uncertainty for so many, we are committed to maintaining close relationships with the communities we serve with pride."

The 2024 Supporting Our Communities grant recipients include:
Assistance League of Greater Placer County, Auburn, CA
Child Creativity Lab, Santa Ana, CA
City House, Plano, TX
Dreams for Change, San Diego, CA
Haven Neighborhood Services, Los Angeles, CA
The Joslyn Center, Palm Desert, CA
Junior Achievement of Dallas, Dallas, TX
Junior Achievement of San Diego, San Diego, CA
Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
La Cocina, San Francisco, CA
Latino Leadership Council, Roseville, CA
Lucerne Valley Academic & Vocational Scholarship Foundation, Lucerne Valley, CA
MANA, El Centro, CA
My Sisters House, Sacramento, CA
Pace Center for Girls Hillsborough, Tampa, FL
Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities, San Bernardino, CA
Rebuilding Together San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Oakland Rotary, Oakland, CA
Rotary Club of Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Lake, CA
St. Johns Program for Real Change, Sacramento, CA

Ensuring access to necessities such as housing, food, medical care, and education, First Foundation seeks to build collaborative partnerships that help build sustainable and thriving communities.

"We strongly believe that by working together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with such outstanding organizations and look forward to a bright future of collaboration and community impact," said Sylvia M. Figueroa, Director of Community Development and CRA Officer.

During the season of giving, First Foundation also donated to local charity initiatives selected by employees in each community we serve. These end-of-year donations were made to support the holiday programs and increased the need that our charity partners are seeing.

"Through volunteering efforts and outreach, we continue to focus on important causes in our local communities," said Emily Sukman, Community Development Officer. "The holidays provided an opportunity to bolster support to vital programs that meet community needs but also bring hope to so many."

For more information about First Foundation's efforts in the community and to learn about past and current 'Supporting Our Communities' nonprofit partners, please visit https://www.firstfoundationinc.com/community/soc.

About First Foundation

First Foundation Inc. (NYSE: 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.