Credit unions in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia raised more than $1 million to support their local communities through a challenge presented by the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation (SECUF) and the League of Southeastern Credit Unions.

“We have seen heartfelt appreciation and enthusiasm from the credit union employees taking part and from the local businesses they are patronizing and charities they are sharing the funds with during the challenge,” says Jared Ross, president of LSCU. “It has been inspirational to see how good people feel about being part of this effort and how much it means to those in our communities who are impacted.”

Through the #CreditUnionsCareChallenge, SECUF asked credit unions in the three states to commit $25 per employee to invest in a locally owned business or to thank an essential worker while adhering to social distancing protocols.

To double the impact, SECUF matched every dollar contributed by affiliated credit unions up to $25 per employee. The foundation returned these matched funds to each credit union to be donated to local community organizations of their choice.

Eighty-eight credit unions raised $771,795 with 14,334 employees participating. SECUF matched more than $330,000 for a total impact of $1.1 million.

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