‘Giving back is what we do here’ 

Credit unions continue to support their local communities through monetary donations and other resources in relief of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Among their contributions:

First Financial Federal Credit Union

First Financial Federal Credit Union, Lutherville, Md., donated $50,000 to support the Maryland Food Bank’s mission of serving food-insecure populations throughout the state. The donation will provide meals and other resources to those experiencing hunger in Maryland, especially those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mission Federal Credit Union

Mission Federal Credit Union, San Diego, with staff and community support, raised $364,147 to benefit the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. The total includes $30,476 raised by Mission Federal, $50,000 as part of its dollar-for-dollar match grant, and $283,671 from its website. The total amount will provide 1,820,732 meals for San Diegans suffering from food insecurity.

Hanscom Federal Credit Union

Hanscom Federal Credit Union Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Hanscom Federal Credit Union, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., donated $5,000 to the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund. The foundation has committed $10,000 to aid efforts to help those who are suffering from the economic impact of the outbreak.

Naveo Credit Union

Naveo Credit Union, Somerville, Mass., donated more than $6,000 during April to benefit its neighbors and local organizations affected by COVID-19. The donations aid vulnerable people and the community organizations that support them.

Advia Credit Union

Advia Credit Union, Parchment, Mich., is donating $30,000 to individuals and school districts in cities across Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois to aid in COVID-19 relief efforts. “Advia’s mission is to provide advantages,” says Nancy Loftis, vice president of public relations and marketing. The credit union created the project quickly to support those in need and “show our admiration for those making a difference during this pandemic.”

Sound Credit Union

Sound Credit Union, Tacoma, Wash., has supported several community food banks, nonprofits, and small businesses by securing more than 70,000 meals for those in need.

Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union

Marshfield (Wis.) Medical Center Credit Union (MMCCU), donated $5,000 to the Hannah Center through a partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago's Relief Program. The program consists of 0% interest rate advances and grants to support member institutions and the communities they serve as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nusenda Credit Union

Nusenda Credit Union, Albuquerque, N.M., will hold virtual financial services career exploration courses during COVID-19 closures. The curriculum teaches metro-area high school students how to manage their money and provides insight into financial services industry careers.

Visions Federal Credit Union

Visions Federal Credit Union, Endicott, N.Y., has committed $60,000 to organizations that support COVID-19 relief. “Giving back is what we do here,” says Tim Strong, community development manager. “It’s part of credit union philosophy—people helping people.”

Kinecta Federal Credit Union

Employees at Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Manhattan Beach, Calif., served more than 2,700 scoops of ice cream from its popular ice cream truck to Torrance Memorial Medical Center healthcare workers during National Hospital Week, May 10-16. The healthcare workers also received highlighters and masks.

Tropical Financial Credit Union

As South Florida restaurants and retailers start to re-open, Tropical Financial Credit Union, Miramar, Fla., is handing out extra cash to employees to fuel an economic comeback. The credit union is giving $500 gift cards to each employee in South Florida to spend on local businesses. The total amount, $85,000, coincides with Tropical Financial’s 85th anniversary.

SPIRE Credit Union

Recognizing the deep impact COVID-19 has had throughout Minnesota, SPIRE Credit Union, Falcon Heights, Minn., organized a campaign to give $250,000 to 187 Minnesota businesses and charities. SPIRE’s leadership asked the credit union’s 300 employees to select local businesses and charities.

Elevations Credit Union

Through Local Change, members of Elevations Credit Union, Boulder, Colo., can opt in to automatically round up their debit card purchases and donate the change to the Elevations Foundation. The credit union will match all donations this year. Local Change donations for the remainder of 2020 will support local COVID-19 relief efforts.

Ideal Credit Union

Hoping to raise spirits and spread a little joy, the Wellbeing Champions Committee at Ideal Credit Union, Woodbury, Minn., launched a four-week “Make it an Ideal Day” Positivity Challenge. The effort encourages employees and members to focus on something positive that happened during their day. As part of the positivity challenge, participants receive a “Make it an Ideal Day” bracelet to wear as a reminder to stay positive throughout the day and look for silver linings.