Ottawa, ON, December 2, 2025 – In a commitment to building financial resilience, Alterna Savings is marking Giving Tuesday by investing $35,000 in 17 community organizations that are delivering vital financial education and inclusion services across Ontario.

The funding flows through two distinct programs designed to maximize community impact. Through our Financial Inclusion Granting Program, we awarded $10,000 each to the Co-operative Housing Association of Eastern Ontario (CHASEO) and Tune In Foundation for their innovative work in financial inclusion and financial education. Additionally, 15 organizations received $1,000 Community Grants to support local initiatives where targeted funding creates meaningful change in the communities we serve together.

Jovette Fournier, Executive Director of CHASEO, emphasized the transformative potential of this support. "The Financial Inclusion Granting Program will significantly strengthen our capacity to serve underserved community members by expanding access to essential financial tools and support," said Fournier. "This grant empowers us to deepen our outreach, enhance our programs, and create more equitable opportunities for individuals and families striving for financial stability."

Dejehan Hamilton, Founder & Executive Director of Tune In Foundation, celebrated the investment's potential to transform youth financial education. "Alterna's Financial Inclusion Grant is a game-changer for our I Make Money Moves Youth Financial Literacy Program," said Hamilton. "This $10,000 investment allows Tune In Foundation to reach more underserved youth with practical money skills, credit and debt education, and conversations about building generational wealth. It helps us move beyond one-off workshops and create consistent, culturally relevant learning experiences that empower young people to make confident financial decisions for themselves and their families."

Rob Paterson, CEO of Alterna Savings, emphasized that these partnerships reflect the cooperative's core values. "At Alterna, we believe that when we invest in our communities' financial well-being, we're all stronger together," said Paterson. "These grants represent more than funding – they're partnerships that help build the financial resilience our members and neighbours need to thrive. We're proud to collaborate with organizations like CHASEO and Tune In Foundation who share our commitment to making financial education accessible to everyone, because that's what The Good in Banking^® looks like in action."

These annual granting programs represent a cornerstone of Alterna's community impact and engagement strategy, reflecting our long-standing commitment to empowering members and community organizations through accessible financial resources and education.

About Alterna Savings

Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited (Alterna) has delivered The Good in Banking®for over 115 years.

As the first full-service, member-owned cooperative financial institution outside Quebec, Alterna Savings shares its expertise with over 206,000 members through a network of 39 branches across Ontario, a Contact Centre, and digital channels. Members and customers also benefit from industry-leading online brokerage and investment management services and have access to over 42,000 surcharge-free ATMs in North America.

Alterna Savings & Credit Union Limited operates as Alterna Savings, a credit union in Ontario. Alterna consists of Alterna Savings and Credit Union Limited and its wholly owned subsidiary, Alterna Bank. Follow Alterna on Facebook, LinkedIn and X. For information on deposit insurance, please ask for a brochure at any Alterna branch or visit the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s website: www.fsrao.ca.

About Co-operative Housing Association of Eastern Ontario

Celebrating 30 years of strengthening co-operative housing, the Co-operative Housing Association of Eastern Ontario (CHASEEO) supports a vibrant network of housing co-ops across the region. A proud member of the Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation, CHASEO works collaboratively within the broader co-op housing sector. We also proudly acknowledge the work of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto, whose diligent efforts in partnership with the Ontario Federation help ensure that co-operatives have access to strong, reliable banking and savings services.

They provide training, governance support, education, and advocacy to help co-ops remain strong, affordable, and member-driven. Representing thousands of households, CHASEO is committed to building inclusive, sustainable communities and advancing the co-operative housing movement in Eastern Ontario.


About Tune In Foundation

Tune In Foundation is a Hamilton-based nonprofit that uses music, arts, and leadership development to empower youth who are often labelled “at-risk” but whom they call “at-opportunity.”

Through their I Make Money Moves – Youth Financial Literacy Program, they deliver culturally relevant financial education to youth and young adults in schools and community spaces across Ontario. Using workshops, interactive activities, and their original workbook, they talk about budgeting, credit, debt, savings, entrepreneurship, and building generational wealth in a way that connects to their real lives. Many of the participants they serve are Black, racialized, newcomer, or from low-income households who have had limited access to practical money education.

Media Contact: 

Kim Moseley, Vice President, Product & Marcomm
Alterna Savings | Alterna Bank
kim.moseley@alterna.ca