Community focus for lender's giving. (People).

A bank giving away money?

Washington Mutual Inc., the $242.5 billion in assets financial institution, has tapped Virginia Victorin, 43, to do exactly that.

As new corporate giving manager, Victorin oversees philanthropic efforts in California that help provide non-profits with the wherewithal to assist the community.

"Our grant making program is a way of coming to the table with our hands open to start partnerships, especially with communities that are not familiar with our company," Victorin said.

Giving, she said, helps Seattle-based Washington Mutual become a good corporate citizen.

Last year, more than $10 million was given to charitable causes in California, including $4 million in L.A. and $49 million nationwide. Victorin said the primary goals behind the philanthropy include affordable housing and access to quality education for inner-city youth.

"Not every neighborhood has access to quality education," she said. "One thing we're trying to do is to find high-quality teachers who are interested in serving in urban areas where low-income kids face challenges every day."

The Achievement Council, the Los Angeles Educational Partnership and CalTeach were among the organizations to benefit from the $10 million donated in California in 2001. She said no major changes are in store this year, adding that contributions will match, if not exceed, 2001's totals.

With 15 years in the non-profit sector -- 10 on the grant making side -- Victorin joined Washington Mutual from BP and the Arco Foundation, where she directed initiatives for school reform, engineering education and the arts. She recently worked for the Achievement Council, a Los Angeles non-profit that works to improve public education.

Victorin has a bachelor's degree in political science from UCLA and attended the UCLA Graduate School of Education Teacher Credential program. She lives in Mar Vista with her husband and 7-year-old son.