Page 24 - LRCC FOCUS Magazine December 2025

LAFCU Launches Foundation
to Strengthen Local

Businesses and Communities

AFCU is deepening its community commitment empower entrepreneurs, and advance community
through the creation of the StableCommunities wellbeing. Its inaugural six grant recipients include:
LFoundation, a new nonprofit designed to advance Capital Area Housing Partnership (computers for
economic equity and resiliency across Greater Lansing. residents at The Residences at Walter French),
Golden Tier Bakery (dessert trailer build-out), LMTS
Seeded by LAFCU but operating independently, the Community Outreach Services (Pay My Bills event), Mr.
foundation was created to fill a gap—helping small Leslie’s Cheesecakes (retail and production expansion,
businesses and organizations in underserved areas signage, online store), Southside Community Coalition
gain the stability and opportunities needed to thrive. (wrap-around youth and 4-H programs/staffing),
and Sweet Encounter Bakery (automated cupcake
“LAFCU saw a void packaging equipment).
in the community
to really help and In addition to grants, the foundation sponsored
support individuals community events such as the Heritage Rodeo:
in need and small Black Cowboys and Cowgirls and Wealth & Wisdom
businesses who Conference, which celebrate culture, resilience, and
need a leg up,” financial empowerment.
said Kelli Ellsworth
Etchison, CEO of the While the grants are open to all who meet the
StableCommunities foundation’s mission, this first round notably
Foundation and supported several women- and minority-owned
LAFCU’s chief businesses—a reflection of its goal to foster inclusive
marketing officer economic growth.
and chief diversity
officer. With the tagline “Where resiliency thrives,” the
StableCommunities Foundation embodies
In its first year alone, LAFCU’s belief that strong communities begin
the foundation with opportunity—and that when local people and
has granted and businesses succeed, so does Greater Lansing. u
sponsored more
than $250,000 to
strengthen local
neighborhoods,

24 FOCUS MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2025