Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), now part of Rady Children’s Health, is pleased to announce a generous $3 million gift from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in support of an innovative nine-story ambulatory building designed to enhance care for children and families across Southern California. In recognition of this transformative donation, the first-floor lobby of the tower, set to open this June, will be named the SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Lobby.
“We are deeply grateful to SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union for this extraordinary investment in CHOC’s future,” says Jessica Miley, chief development officer, CHOC Foundation. “This gift will help us create a welcoming, healing space for children and families, and it beautifully reflects the community spirit and sense of responsibility that guide everything SchoolsFirst FCU does. They are true partners in our mission to bring hope and healing to those we serve.”
Founded in 1934, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union serving school employees and the largest in California, with nearly 1.5 million members. With a steadfast commitment to serving the financial needs of California’s school employees and their families, SchoolsFirst FCU has also demonstrated its belief in “people helping people” through decades of charitable giving, volunteerism, and community investment.
“We are deeply committed to supporting CHOC and its mission to deliver world-class pediatric care. By nurturing, supporting and safeguarding children’s health, we address the broader factors that influence well-being, offering care that goes beyond medicine to improve the overall quality of life for children and their families,” states Bill Cheney, chief executive officer, SchoolsFirst FCU. “This new facility will provide essential comfort, healing and hope to thousands of families in need, and we are profoundly honored to be a part of making this vision a reality.”
This latest gift brings SchoolsFirst FCU’s total giving to CHOC to $4.7 million over the past 23 years, with support directed to numerous areas, including child life and neonatal care. In addition to financial support, SchoolsFirst FCU’s team has consistently volunteered their time through CHOC Walk, gala events, and activities such as assembling holiday care bags, packaging shirts and serving meals to patients and families.
Located across the street from CHOC Hospital in Orange, the new outpatient tower will house a comprehensive outpatient imaging center, a dedicated Research Institute floor, oncology infusion services, more than two floors of specialty clinics, and several patient and family amenities. It will create a one-stop shop for patients and families who currently are seen across numerous specialties and locations. It is part of the healthcare system’s ambitious expansion plan designed to solidify its position as a leading destination for children’s health by providing exceptional and innovative care.
About CHOC:
Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) is committed to being a leading destination for children’s health by providing exceptional and innovative care. The nationally recognized nonprofit pediatric healthcare system includes two hospitals and a regional network of primary and specialty care clinics. CHOC offers several programs of excellence providing the highest levels of care for the most serious pediatric illnesses and injuries. CHOC’s research and innovation institutes are focused on translating real patient needs into real-world treatments so every child can live the heathiest and happiest life possible.
In January 2025, CHOC and Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego united to form Rady Children’s Health to transform pediatric care, research and innovation. Each organization will maintain separate medical staff, local governing boards and onsite leadership to ensure they continue to meet the unique needs of their respective communities, while providing the new benefits of an integrated healthcare system. Learn more at radychildrens.org.
About SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union serving school employees, and for the sixth year in a row, Forbes has named SchoolsFirst FCU the top credit union in California. Serving school employees and their families, the organization is dedicated to delivering World-Class Personal Service and improving the financial lives of its Members. In J.D. Power’s 2025 inaugural U.S. Credit Union Satisfaction Study, its Members ranked them #1 for overall satisfaction. Today they serve nearly 1.5 million Members with a full range of financial products and services. SchoolsFirst FCU was founded in 1934, when 126 school employees pooled $1,200 and established a Member-owned cooperative to help improve each other’s lives. The Credit Union has more than $33 billion in assets and remains the largest credit union in California and the third largest credit union in the United States. For more information about SchoolsFirst FCU, visit schoolsfirstfcu.org.
Insured by NCUA.
