SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) today announced it has awarded a record $10 million in economic development grants through its Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development (AHEAD) Program, a 25% increase from 2025. The Bank also increased the maximum grant award from $150,000 to $200,000, enabling nonprofit organizations to expand the scale and impact of local economic development initiatives.

“We are committed to supporting organizations that create pathways to economic opportunity for people and communities across Arizona, California and Nevada,” said Winthrop Watson, president and chief executive officer of FHLBank San Francisco. “Through the AHEAD Program, our member financial institutions work alongside nonprofit organizations to address community development, workforce and housing needs. Together, we are investing in stronger communities and expanding economic opportunities in the communities we jointly serve.”

This year’s AHEAD grants are awarded through partnerships with 63 FHLBank San Francisco member financial institutions – including 14 members participating for the first time – to support 72 economic development projects in local communities across FHLBank San Francisco’s three-state district. The funding will enable nonprofit organizations to expand the scale and reach of community development initiatives that strengthen local economies, create economic opportunity and address community needs. Collectively, the projects are expected to create or retain an estimated 2,675 jobs while advancing workforce development, entrepreneurship, affordable housing, financial capability and other community development initiatives.

Since launching the AHEAD Program in 2004, FHLBank San Francisco has awarded more than $50 million to support over 1,000 community development projects across its three-state district. The record funding level in 2026 will help expand access to workforce training, small business development, affordable housing services and other community-based programs serving low- and moderate-income communities throughout the Bank’s district.

"At Bank of the Sierra, we are proud to partner with FHLBank San Francisco to award an AHEAD grant to Self-Help Enterprises," said Kevin McPhaill, president and chief executive officer of Bank of the Sierra. "By expanding access to financial education and coaching, this program will help people strengthen budgeting skills, improve financial well-being and build long-term economic stability, creating stronger families and communities throughout California's Central Valley."

The 2026 AHEAD grants address the following community needs:

• Job training (26%)
• Entrepreneurship and microenterprise (18%)
• Capacity building (17%)
• Social services (11%)
• Housing initiatives (7%)
• Other economic development, financial education and technical assistance (21%)
  
  

2026 AHEAD-funded projects include:

• Community Investment Corporation in Tucson, Arizona, in partnership with Vantage West Credit Union, will receive a $200,000 grant to expand Arizona’s first coordinated heirs’ property initiative through estate planning education, legal navigation, title resolution assistance and cross-sector support services that help families preserve homeownership and protect generational wealth.
• The Center by Lendistry in Los Angeles, in partnership with City National Bank, will receive a $200,000 grant for the FORGE LA project, an initiative that aims to identify financing solutions and policies that help communities rebuild more quickly and equitably after disasters.
• Self-Help Enterprises in Visalia, California, in partnership with Bank of the Sierra, will receive a $133,000 grant to help low-income renters at 10 affordable rental housing communities across Kern, Tulare, Fresno and Madera counties strengthen budgeting skills, improve credit, access banking services and build long-term financial stability for residents.
• St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, Nevada, in partnership with Toyota Financial Savings Bank, will receive an $83,000 grant to expand workforce development opportunities for at-risk youth ages 17 to 24, helping them gain industry-recognized vocational certifications and prepare for employment.
  
  

Learn more about the AHEAD Program, its impact in the community and 2026 grant recipients at fhlbsf.com.

About Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions, including commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies and community development financial institutions, support homeownership, finance affordable housing, drive economic vitality and strengthen neighborhoods. Together with our members and community partners, we are helping create more vibrant and resilient communities throughout our three-state district.

Contact

Tom Flannigan
(415) 616-2695
Tom.Flannigan@fhlbsf.com