FALCON HEIGHT, Minn. – Blaze Credit Union was honored to receive the Outstanding Service and Impact Award at the Minnesota Credit Union Network’s ACCELERATE 26 Conference (MnCUN).
The award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate a strong commitment to the credit union philosophy of people helping people. Blaze was recognized for their Blaze Cares and Shares program.
The Blaze Cares and Shares program is a unique giveback program that provides financial donations to Minnesota nonprofits while incorporating every employee at Blaze in the giving process. Each week, a different Blaze team or branch works together to designate a Minnesota nonprofit to receive a $1,000 donation from Blaze. Over the course of every year, that results in $52,000 total being donated to 52 different nonprofits. Since the program began five years ago, more than a quarter of a million dollars has been donated to Minnesota charities through the Cares and Shares program.
“The Cares and Shares program is special because it gives every Blaze employee, regardless of their position or tenure with the organization, a voice in our giving programs, said Dan Stoltz, Blaze CEO/President. “We are proud to live out our Core Action to ‘Give Back’ every day, and this program is just one example of how.”
Recipients of MnCUN’s Elevate Awards were recognized at the ACCELERATE 26 Conference in April, where credit union leaders and professionals from across the state gathered for three days of inspiration, innovation, and connections.
“The Elevate Awards shine a spotlight on the exceptional work happening across Minnesota’s credit union community that brings the cooperative spirit of the credit union movement to life,” said Mara Humphrey, President and CEO of the Minnesota Credit Union Network.
The Cares and Shares program is one of many ways Blaze gives back to the community every year. Blaze’s total charitable impact in 2025 equaled $2.78 million.
