LEXINGTON, Ky.–Below is a round-up of various community-level efforts by credit unions across the country that has been especially compiled for subscribers to The Credit Union Board Brief. This is just a small sample of the types of contributions and efforts being made by credit unions and is designed to be an overview that might inspire other credit unions to take on additional challenges in their respective communities.
Rize CU Kicks Off New Partnership With CalSou
IRWINDALE, Calif.–Rize Credit Union and the Cal South (California State Soccer Association – South) said they have entered into a new multi-year sponsorship and partnership agreement to provide educational and financial empowerment to thousands of families throughout Southern California’s soccer community.
As part of the agreement, Rize has been named an Official Sponsor of Cal South and granted category exclusivity as the organization’s preferred credit union. Together, Rize and Cal South will launch new scholarship opportunities for underserved communities and introduce financial education programs to support players, parents, coaches, referees, and clubs throughout the Southern California region, the organizations said.
Through the partnership, Rize said it will deliver financial literacy opportunities both virtually and in person, including its signature Mad City Money program, a hands-on financial reality simulation that gives youth an eye-opening glimpse into the real-life costs of budgeting, debt, and decision-making.
Addition Financial Foundation Announces 2025 Renovate to Educate Program
AKE MARY, Fla.–Addition Financial Credit Union’s Addition Financial Foundation has announced its 2025 Renovate to Educate program, which it said will enhance the ability of four Central Florida schools to support students in need before the next school year.
“This year marks a meaningful change in the program’s focus, as the Foundation shifts its efforts from renovating individual teacher classrooms to enhancing the overall ‘needs spaces’ within schools,” the organization said.
A “Needs Space” is a dedicated area within a school stocked with food and personal items for unhoused or low-income students and their families. By addressing the needs of common areas such as the food/clothing pantry/closet, the Addition Financial Foundation hopes to create a more inclusive and enriching environment for every student. The Foundation said it collaborated with local school district partners to identify schools that would benefit from the program.
Directions CU Provides Grants to Teachers Across Region
TOLEDO, Ohio – Some local teachers in this region are getting a little extra boost to help with their classroom needs, with Directions Credit Union announcing the 16 winners from the Directions Cares for Classrooms Grant Program Winter 2025.
The Directions Cares for Classrooms grant program provides educators with small grants up to $500 each to be used for a variety of projects and materials, including books, software, calculators, math manipulatives, art supplies, audio-visual equipment, lab materials and more.
The grant program is open to K-12 educators who work for public, private or charter schools in the Directions field of membership, which includes schools in Ashland, Crawford, Fulton, Huron, Knox, Lucas, Ottawa, Richland, Tuscarawas, Wayne, Wood, Monroe (MI), and Lenawee (MI).
Directions Credit Union received 77 applications for Winter 2025.
SecurityPlus FCU Hosts Women in Business Panel Discussion
BALTIMORE–Securityplus Federal Credit Union honored Women’s History Month by hosting a powerful Women in Business Panel Discussion aligned with the 2025 national theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”
Held at Securityplus’ headquarters, the event brought together business leaders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and community members to hear from four remarkable women who are transforming their industries, mentoring others, and building lasting legacies.
Empowering Women Across Generations
The credit union said panelists shared personal insights into their entrepreneurial experiences, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the strategies that have helped them succeed.
Rize CU Employees Assemble 10K Care Packages for First Responders
IRWINDALE, Calif.–Rize Credit Union is reporting its team members came together with Operation Gratitude and other supporting organizations to assemble 10,000 care packages for first responders and National Guard members who bravely served on the frontlines of the recent wildfires.
The L.A.-based nonprofit will deliver the care packages, filled with handwritten letters, useful items, and heartfelt tokens of appreciation to those who risked their lives to protect Angelenos.
“As our communities begin the difficult process of rebuilding, we recognize that the devastation could have been far worse without the incredible efforts of first responders and National Guard members,” President and CEO Jennifer Oliver said in a statement. “At Rize, our commitment to making a difference runs deep, and that’s why 170 Rize team members came together to support Operation Gratitude and express our profound appreciation for those who worked tirelessly to safeguard our communities.”
In addition to partnering with Operation Gratitude, Rize has launched essential item donation drives to support impacted families, opened their Southern California branch locations as temporary community workspaces, implemented a dedicated hotline for impacted members to access emergency financial relief, and created three fundraising options for those who wish to contribute to recovery efforts, ensuring support reaches those in great need.
Together CU Partners With St. Louis Zoo on New Card Program
ST. LOUIS– Together Credit Union has partnered with the Saint Louis Zoo on a card program that raises funds for the zoo.
“With every swipe, you will be rounding up that extra change to be donated back to the Zoo and their mission, while also being rewarded with a free Zoo membership to unlock and access the best perks and benefits,” Together CU said in announcing the program.
Members who sign up for the new card are also being offered benefits that include complimentary zoo annual membership ($160 value!), which includes:
- Four attraction tickets redeemable for the Zooline Railroad and/or Sea Lion Show
- $5 Member Parking per visit
- 5% Discount in all Zoo gift shops and on-site food purchases
- Discounted admission to select Zoo events
- stlzoo member digital magazine
- Sea Lion plush toy
The Summit FCU Commits $30K to Sleep in Heavenly Peace
ROCHESTER, N.Y.–- The Summit Federal Credit Union has announced a two-year, $30,000 commitment to Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) chapters in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse.
According to the credit union, $10,000 will be dispersed to each of the three SHP chapters over the next two years ($5,000 in 2025, $5,000 in 2026) to assist in supporting their mission of ensuring that no kid sleeps on the floor in our towns and cities. The financial gift across all three organizations will total $30,000.
“All children deserve a safe, comfortable place to lay their heads. Across the US, too many boys and girls go without a bed – or even a pillow – to sleep on,” The Summit said in a statement. “These children end up sleeping on couches, blankets, floors, and even piles of dirty clothes. What started as a local mission to help neighbors became an international movement. Today, SHP has grown to 350 chapters, with thousands of dedicated volunteers who have built, assembled, and delivered more than 260,000 beds to children in need. With child bedlessness affecting approximately 2%-3% of children in communities across America, the math is clear: millions of children still need the help of SHP.”
Pelican State Gives Away $10,000 in Groceries
ONZALES, La.– Pelican State Credit Union hosted a $10,000 grocery giveaway at Ralph’s Market in Ascension Parish. Two hundred families walked away with $50 worth of free groceries while excited shoppers lined up for the giveaway as early as 7 a.m., the credit union reported.
In addition to the free groceries and Pelican bags, Pelican team members greeted shoppers outside of Ralph’s with exclusive Pelican cups and roux spoons.
“Pelican Pays represents the generous giving spirit of the credit union and its efforts to give back to its members and the communities it serves,” the credit union said.
Pelican membership was not necessary to receive free groceries or giveaway items.
A video of the event can be found here.
Firefighters & Co. Donates Carbon Monoxide Detectors
DAYTON, Ohio–Firefighters and Company FCU has again donated carbon monoxide detectors to local emergency personnel.
The credit union donated more than $75,000 worth of carbon monoxide detectors, representing 750 such detectors, to various fire departments in the Miami Valley. Donations will be distributed to the departments in the coming weeks.
Some of the funding comes from the credit union’s holiday skip-a-payment program, which allows members to skip their loan payments for the holidays. For every skip-a-pay fee the credit union receives, the credit union donates a CO detector, FCFCU said.
“This year, we even had one department mention the program and partnership with the credit union while recognizing a local firefighter who received a commendation for saving lives with a CO detector that the firefighter installed days earlier,” Marketing Manager Shannon O’Neill said in a statement. “We value these partnerships with the fire departments.”
Upstate FCU Partnering With High School to Launch Tiger Financial
NDERSON, S.C.– Upstate FCU is partnering with Anderson School District 3 to launch the county’s first school-based financial project at Crescent High School called Tiger Financial.
The CU will launch in August.
According to the organizations, Tiger Financial will offer traditional credit union services to students, faculty, and staff and will be a “place where students can gain real-world job experience.”
Students have been interviewed and chosen to serve as branch managers, tellers, and marketers.
“We are thrilled to partner with Upstate Federal Credit Union to offer this unique opportunity to our students,” Kathy Hipp, superintendent of Anderson 3, said in a statement. “Financial literacy can be a huge piece of breaking cycles of poverty for our students. This initiative further advances our commitment to ensuring students are college and career-ready and can be successful in post-secondary.”
Frankenmuth Hosts Annual Educator Grant Reception
FRANKENMUTH, Mich.– Frankenmuth Credit Union held its annual Mini Educator Grant Reception.
The grants provides funding to local educators to alleviate some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with purchasing much needed classroom items. Educators can apply for up to $500 each year through the program.
This year, Frankenmuth Credit Union received 96 applications and awarded $20,489 in grants to 50 educators from 33 local schools. Funding was provided for a wide range of items such as books, a 3D printer, science kits, therapy dog training, art library, egg incubator, and a class trip to the Underground Railroad Living Museum.
“It is a true joy to offer this program each year. I am continually blown away by the incredible educators who take the initiative to seek funding for items to enhance their classrooms for the benefit of their students. These grants are a wonderful opportunity for us to support our local schools and their wonderful staff.” CEO Vickie Schmitzer said in a statement.
No Need to Ssshhh: Mountain America Partners on Little Free Libraries
PHOENIX–Mountain America CU said it collaborated with the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation and Southjwest Human Development on a hands-on volunteer event aimed at promoting literacy and community engagement.
Volunteers gathered at Player 15 Group to build, paint, and decorate Little Free Libraries. These libraries will be strategically placed around the Phoenix Valley to increase access to books for underserved communities.
“We are dedicated to actively contributing and making a meaningful impact within our community,” MACU EVP Nathan Anderson said in a statement. “Our commitment goes beyond mere participation; we strive to be a driving force for positive change and growth.”
With Mountain America’s contribution, 15 Little Free Libraries will be placed around the Valley. The libraries will be stocked with copies of the community book, “We Are the Valley/Somos El Valle,” a bilingual book celebrating the diverse community’s love of basketball. The Little Free Libraries and these books ensure local youth have access to meaningful reading materials.
Mountain America has collaborated with Southwest Human Development since 2017, contributing over $150,000 to various projects, including the Little Free Libraries.