Military families often face unique financial challenges, from frequent relocations and deployment-related income disruptions to the transition from military to civilian life. Through a partnership with GoVA Foundation, we are helping expand access to financial education resources designed specifically to support veterans, active-duty service members, and military families across California communities.
Originally launched in 2025 between GoVA and First Foundation Bank, this partnership continues today under Sunflower Bank following First Foundation’s transition on April 1, 2026. It reflects the combined bank’s shared commitment to strengthening its communities by supporting organizations that deliver meaningful resources, education, and opportunities for long-term financial wellness.
GoVA Foundation: Empowering Military Families with Financial Education
GoVA Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on improving financial wellness for military-connected individuals and families. Through its digital financial literacy platform, The Edge Program, participants gain access to educational courses, budgeting tools, financial stress assessments, and military-specific financial guidance tailored to the realities of military life.
"Overnight I lost ¾ of my income, but the GoVA Foundation helped me get my edge back... the Foundation and I were able to dig my family out of our foxhole and now we have the freedom to live without being limited by money."
The organization’s approach is designed to make financial education accessible for military families regardless of location or circumstance, including those in rural communities and veterans with disabilities who may face barriers to attending in-person programs. Many of the team members at GoVA have experienced these transitions and are passionate about helping their peers succeed through them.
Lizann Lightfoot, Director of Marketing for GoVA Foundation, reflected on this shared experience "As a Marine Corps spouse for over two decades, I moved around the world with my husband. I experienced firsthand the financial strain of starting over every few years - new housing markets, unexpected moving costs, and the constant challenge of rebuilding our household budget. Military families face unique pressures that civilian families rarely encounter. That's why GoVA's mission is so personal to me. We provide the financial education tools and personalized guidance that I wish had been available during our 23 years of service. These are educational tools that help military families not just survive, but thrive."
Supporting Financial Wellness for Military Families
First Foundation (now Sunflower Bank) provided $2,500 of financial support to help military families in Sacramento, Alameda, Placer, and Imperial counties in California access GoVA Foundation’s financial wellness resources through The Edge Program.
According to GoVA Foundation statistics, the partnership successfully onboarded the maximum 25 military members across the targeted Northern California counties. Within the first several weeks of enrollment, 92% of participants had activated their accounts on the platform, and many had already completed financial stress assessments, money personality assessments, or created personalized budgets.
“We understand that service to our country often comes with financial sacrifices and uncertainty that extend beyond active duty. We are proud to continue this partnership with GoVA Foundation that provides resources to help military families strengthen their financial footing, plan for the future, and build greater stability for themselves and their communities.”
"During my 22 years in Air Force Special Operations, I saw firsthand how financial stress impacts mission readiness. Service members can't focus on the mission when they're worried about how to pay rent after a PCS move or whether their spouse will find employment at the next duty station. Financial readiness is mission readiness. Through this partnership we're ensuring California's military families have access to the personalized financial education they need to build long-term security - not just for themselves, but for their families and our communities."
Building Stronger Communities Through Partnership
Partnering with organizations like GoVA Foundation that help individuals and families build greater financial confidence and reach their financial goals is one way Sunflower Bank continues to promote financial empowerment across our communities.
We are confident that this shared commitment to serving military families with practical resources, accessible education, and community support will continue to create meaningful long-term impact.
About GoVA Foundation
GoVA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing free financial education to active-duty service members, veterans, and military families nationwide. Through The Edge, an AI-powered digital platform, GoVA serves 9,000 military members across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. GoVA partners with financial institutions to sponsor military families in underserved communities, providing measurable impact through data-driven reports. Founded by military veterans and family members who understand the unique financial pressures of military life, GoVA Foundation's mission is to empower military members with the financial tools needed to build confidence, stability, and long-term security. Visit the GoVA Foundation website to learn more about their mission, register your family for The Edge, or to contact them to help support their cause.