AHEAD Program Grant Will Fuel Next Generation of San Diego’s Culinary-Focused Small Businesses
SAN DIEGO, March 2025 – City Heights Community Development Corporation (City Heights CDC) will receive a $100,000 AHEAD Program grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) in its collaboration with Mission Fed Credit Union (Mission Fed). Proceeds will sustain City Heights CDC’s CHOPPED program through 2026, serving San Diego entrepreneurs in food and catering businesses.
The eight-week business training program focuses on entrepreneurs across the County of San Diego, including sidewalk vendors, caterers and immigrant-owned restaurants.
“We’re excited for CHOPPED to grow and meet the needs of San Diego’s vibrant food industry,” said Alexis Villanueva, president and CEO of City Heights CDC. “We want to see these businesses thrive and tap into their economic potential with fewer barriers to their success.”
AHEAD Program grants support projects that benefit low- to moderate-income communities. This includes delivering job training or education programs that support small business, and microlending and microenterprise incubation for low-income entrepreneurs.
“These grants will help boost economic opportunity and create access to vital services and support that can be life-changing for people living in underserved communities,” said Eric Cicourel, community investment officer for FHLBank San Francisco. “We’re proud that for 20 years and counting, the AHEAD Program continues to make a positive impact throughout the communities we serve.”
Mission Fed applied for the grant in partnership with City Heights CDC and helped navigate the competitive selection process with over 300 applicants.
“Being able to support and distribute funds on behalf of the AHEAD Program is such an honor for Mission Fed, and connecting directly with the City Heights CDC perfectly aligns with our goals of fostering economic empowerment in our local communities,” said Doug Wright, president and chief executive officer at Mission Fed. “We are grateful for the investments made by FHL Bank of San Francisco and look forward to working alongside City Heights CDC as they foster economic opportunities for their residents.”
City Heights CDC will invite business professionals to its weekly sessions to connect with program participants and mentor them through the process. Small-business owners will graduate with a polished business plan, business resource partners and networks, covered permitting costs, and a micro-grant to launch or expand the intended business. The program returns in spring 2025.
About City Heights Community Development Corporation
Instrumental to the culturally diverse San Diego neighborhood of City Heights, City Heights Community Development Corporation (City Heights CDC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1981. Dedicated to positive change, City Heights CDC works closely with the City Heights community on multiple fronts, with core areas including economic development, affordable housing and transportation & planning. For more information visit www.CityHeightsCDC.org.
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About Mission Fed Credit Union
Mission Federal Credit Union (Mission Fed) is the largest member-owned, not-for-profit, full-service financial institution exclusively serving San Diego County. Mission Fed enhances the lives of its members through financial education and services, with a focus on financial empowerment and fostering economic inclusion. Banking at Mission Fed means doing good for San Diego. Mission Fed gives money back to our local communities, has helped hundreds of nonprofits and important causes, and builds deep relationships with community partners.
Mission Fed has served the financial needs of San Diegans for over 60 years through checking, savings, loans, credit cards, investment and insurance services, and other financial offerings. Mission Fed has more than $6.5 billion in assets, over 300,000 members, 34 convenient local branches, 30,000 fee-free CO-OP ATMs nationwide and free mobile and online banking services. The credit union is regularly named a Top Workplaces USA winner, and has placed in the top five California credit unions on Forbes’ Best-In-State Credit Unions list. Mission Fed is also the first San Diego-based credit union to receive the “Juntos Avanzamos” designation, honoring its commitment to serving and empowering Hispanic consumers. Federally insured by NCUA and Equal Housing Lender. To learn more, visit www.MissionFed.com.
About Federal Home Loan Bank 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 — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient. To learn more, visit www.FHLBSF.com.
