Marking a new milestone in assistance to needy nonprofits, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation said Wednesday it has now distributed more than $750,000 to low income organizations as part of its four-year-old "Micro Community Grants" program.

The latest to receive grants of $17,500 and $10,000 apiece are the Billy Hardee Homes for Boys, in Darlington, S.C., and Generations Group Home, a nationally-accredited residential group home also "for at-risk boys" in Simpsonville, S.C.

Micro Community Grants, extended by the foundation under auspices of its parent North and South Carolina Credit Union Leagues since 2005, allows CUs to partner with local non profits to benefit local communities.

"The Billy Hardee Home for Boys is a 24-bed residential program for boys ages 12-17 from various social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds and is a therapeutic treatment center for boys who are abandoned, neglected, abused or delinquent," said a Foundation statement.

Cooking for growing teenage boys is a big enough challenge noted CCUF President/CEO John Slack but "providing three meals a day for 25+ teenagers on old equipment is not acceptable. We are appreciative the Billy Hardee Home is here for these young men and glad that credit unions are able to help."

Generations Group Home, founded in 1991, has treated more than 600 boys since it opened "and reports a 98% success rate," said Slack.