A partnership with a longtime Aiken County Public Schools stakeholder, SRP Federal Credit Union, has just surpassed a total impact in the CSRA of over $3 million dollars in funds to go back to schools.
The SRP Affinity Debit Card program allows participants to donate five cents to a school after every swipe. Aiken County Public Schools pioneered the groundbreaking collaboration in 2018 under Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford. In the 8 years of the partnership, over $1.675 million in funds has been raised for Aiken County high schools district wide.
In 2025, Aiken County earned over $300,000 through the SRP Affinity Debit Card program.
“When we first envisioned this initiative, it was never just about a debit card. It was about helping students show up with pride and confidence. Whether it was a student wearing the band uniform, like I said, it could have been a student participating in the JROTC,” SRP Federal Credit Union Chief Executive Officer Liz Ponder shared. “It could have been them performing on a stage. This is simply having access to resources that help them feel prepared for the future and highly supported. We wanted our students to know that their community truly believes in them.”
“The thing that I hear oftentimes is I want to partner with the school district. People say that a lot, but they don't really understand the term partnership. When the SRP calls a partnership, it's actually a two-way street,” Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy said. “On behalf of the Aiken County School Board and the 23,000 kids that we serve, we truly, truly appreciate your all service.”
Participating school districts across the CSRA have increased since 2018, servicing 46 high schools and one college in South Carolina and Georgia.
“Every time one of our members, with an affinity debit card, swipes, they're making a bold statement, Education truly matters. Our community, future, truly matters,” Sandra DeVoe Bland, Chairman of the Board at SRP Federal Credit Union shared. “Everyday actions, one swipe, five swipes, ten swipes, they can create a lasting change. To our school leaders, faculty, students, thank you. Thank you for partnering with SRP, trusting our program, trusting that big idea that we had back in 2018. And you see the evidence of how fruitful it can be.”
Videos from Aiken County schools help document and showcase the impact of the SRP Affinity Debit Card Program.
