In the Community

More Than Just a Place to Bank

community engagement priorities

positively impacting our local community

At Skyla, we believe in empowering all of the ways our customers want to help their community. Because at the end of the day, we’re a part of that community, too. Take a peek at our three areas of focus to build a better community:

financial wellness

The financial wellness of our members and communities is a key priority. A strong foundation of financial literacy can affect present and generational change in the financial security of families.

economic mobility

We aim to support education, certifications, and training to create more pathways to sustainable income for individuals and families. We know that having access to income both meet basic needs and creates self-sufficiency in our communities.

housing stability

From availability to affordability, housing is a challenge across the Skyla footprint. The cost burden of sustaining housing creates challenges with juggling other expenses, such as childcare, food, or transportation.

putting our money where our mouth is

donated in 2022

organizations supported

PARTNERING TOGETHER

to build a stronger community

SKYLA + GOODWILL

goodwill industries of the southern piedmont

Goodwill’s mission is more than getting people a job... it’s about helping to secure family-sustaining employment so that individuals can build a foundation for the future. Skyla houses a full-service branch and an ATM at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, which enables us to provide financial services that are accessible to all as well as specialty products for the unbanked and those needing a fresh start.

At Skyla, our focus is on the individual, building a relationship and a strong foundation that prepares you for long-term financial success. Our core values and philosophy of service align seamlessly with Goodwill and we are thrilled to be an integral aspect of the financial empowerment model that positively influences the economic mobility of those within our community.

About the Campus

SKYLA + COMMON WEALTH

common wealth charlotte

Common Wealth Charlotte (CWC) is an innovative non-profit that helps low-income individuals and families become banked and build financial capacity. Skyla is proud to work with CWC as their financial institution and shares in CWC’s commitment to providing financial empowerment through financial education coupled with access to specially-designed financial products.

About CWC

SKYLA + HABITAT

habitat for humanity charlotte

We’ve partnered with Habitat for Humanity Charlotte to provide affordable mortgage funding for new, qualifying Habitat homeowners. Together, we’ll be enabling more members of the greater Charlotte region to realize a safe, affordable place to call home, setting them on a path of new opportunity, increased confidence, and self-reliance.

Learn More

funding requests

invested at all levels

herman hoose scholarship

Each of the 20 $5,000 scholarships is awarded to a deserving student who is graduating from high school and enrolled in an institution of higher education for the fall of that same year.

Get the Details

community grant program

Annual grants from $2,500 – $10,000 are awarded to organizations in the following categories: Children and Youth Services, Health, Housing and Shelter, Technology, and Women’s Services

Get the Details

community contribution requests

For organizations looking for extra help with specific community events or programs through funding, employee volunteers, or additional Skyla materials.

Get the Details

our mission:

enabling, enriching, & encouraging the lives of the community in which we serve

The Skyla Foundation is dedicated to partnering with and supporting the local community through annual scholarship awards and grant contributions to local organizations and initiatives.

Simply Elite Checking account holder? $1 of the monthly cost is donated to the Skyla Foundation, meaning you're helping to make a difference in the community, too!

board of directors

skyla foundation's

herman hoose scholarship award

Each May, Skyla awards 20 $5,000 Herman Hoose Scholarships. Each scholarship is awarded to a deserving student who is graduating from high school in the current school year and enrolls in an institution of higher education for the fall of that same year.

Skyla is partnering with the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation on the 2022-2023 Herman Hoose Scholarship cycle. The application window is from October 1 to February 1.

Applicants must have an account with Skyla. Memberships of parents or other immediate family members do not qualify.
Applications are not accepted for enrollment as a part-time student, for vocational or trade schools, or for adult remedial high school academic courses.
Along with the application, a current transcript of the student’s high school academic record must be included.
Applicants must possess a 3.0 GPA or above on a 4-point (non-weighted) scale.

how are the applications judged?

skyla foundation's

community grant requests

Through our Community Grant Program, we’re proud to support the needs of our surrounding community by providing grants to local organizations in the following categories: Children and Youth Services, Health, Housing and Shelter, Technology, and Women’s Services.

For consideration, please visit this page on September 1 to download and complete the Letter of Inquiry. In November, letters will be reviewed and some organizations will be invited to complete a grant application request. The committee will meet annually to review grant requests. Grant announcements will be made in April.

Projects for grant proposals must be a positive contribution to the community and must take place within Skyla’s current service area
Applications are not accepted for organizations whose primary purpose is religious, legislative, political, or athletic teams
Awarded grants range from $2,500 – $10,000

need some help?

grant writing resources

If your organization is interested in a Skyla Foundation grant but you need some assistance with grant writing, we're here to help! Below is a list of free resources available to aid your grant writing process:

Guides

In-Person Support

Online Resources

rooted in the community

contribution requests

Skyla welcomes the opportunity to sponsor community initiatives. Please submit our Community Contribution Request form for consideration.

To be eligible, your organization must:

Benefit a charitable cause or effort and be a positive contribution to the community as a whole
Occur or take effect within Skyla’s current service area and are limited to one community contribution per calendar year
Organizations / projects may not have a religious, legislative, or political purpose

We are not taking requests at this time, but please check back later this year if you're interested.