Whether it's giving back, awarding scholarships, creating community, providing innovative solutions, or fostering financial literacy (and so much more), here's how Wisconsin's credit unions supported their members and communities in January.
Giving Back
Tax Assistance Available Through Chippewa Valley Technical College and Royal Credit Union Partnership
Royal Credit Union is partnering with Chippewa Valley Technical College and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to provide assistance to community members with their tax returns. VITA was created to provide free income tax return assistance to taxpayers who cannot afford to pay for professional help. VITA volunteers provide free tax assistance to anyone with an adjusted gross annual income of $67,000 or less including disabled, non-English speaking, senior citizens and special needs taxpayers. (Royal Credit Union, 1/6)
CoVantage Cares, Elcho community team on new playground
The School District of Elcho has been awarded $48,177 from the CoVantage Cares Foundation to purchase new playground equipment. The CoVantage Cares Foundation recently announced the successful conclusion of its ninth annual Giving Tuesday campaign. From Dec. 3-17, the campaign generated a significant impact, raising $563,872 to support 13 non-profit organizations within CoVantage Credit Union’s service areas in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois. (CoVantage Credit Union, 1/12)
Marine Credit Union donates to The Good Fight to support youth development programs
The Marine Credit Union (MCU) awarded The Good Fight a generous donation with the goal of giving back to the communities that they serve. According to a release, MCU donated $8,000 through the MCU Foundation to The Good Fight. The charity follows the organization's mission to provide a safe space for at-risk youth individuals to grow, thrive, and achieve their potential. (Marine Credit Union, 1/14)
Marine Credit Union donates to Feed My People Food Bank to launch farm to food bank program
Marine Credit Union (MCU) is proud to announce a $9,200 donation through the MCU Foundation to Feed My People Food Bank, marking the start of an exciting partnership to launch the organization’s Farm to Food Bank program. This initiative will connect small-scale farmers with more than 250 food bank locations across Wisconsin, delivering fresher produce to those in need while simultaneously supporting local agricultural communities. (Marine Credit Union, 1/14)
Special Dividend
As a member owned financial cooperative, SCU has proudly served Sentry Associates, Retirees, and their immediate family members since 1935. One of our foundational tenets is giving each member the opportunity to improve their economic and social conditions. That is why, whenever SCU is financially successful, we share this success with you, our members. In mid-December part of SCU's successes were shared with a special dividend totaling nearly $1 million paid out to members. Everyone who was a member as of November 30th of 2024 received a share of this special dividend based on their relationship with the Credit Union. This special dividend reflects SCU's strong financial performance over the past 5 years. (Sentry Credit Union, 1/14)
Northern Wisconsin Food Pantry Receives $1,000 Donation
A northern Wisconsin food pantry received a nice boost this month. Ripco Credit Union donated $1,000 to the Lakeland Pantry in Woodruff. Tony Mustacci, Ripco's Community Development Officer, handed off the check on January 18th to Lorna Springate and Lisa Knuth. The Lakeland Pantry called it a "wonderful donation. (Ripco Credit Union, 1/22)
Marine Credit Union surprises The Good Fight with donation
Mid-January, Marine Credit Union (MCU) surprised The Good Fight Community Center with a $9,500 donation. The Good Fight's mission, according to its website, it to provide at-risk and disadvantaged youth with a safe environment to grow. (Marine Credit Union, 1/21)
Elan Charitable Giving Program Surpasses $2 Million in Donations
Elan Credit Card today announced $250,000 in donations across 25 communities through its philanthropic initiative, the Elan Charitable Giving program. Each $10,000 donation was given to a local organization selected by an Elan Credit Card partner. (Capital Credit Union, Sheboygan Area Credit Union, 1/29)
Hearts of Hope fundraiser at WESTconsin Credit Union
During the month of February, WESTconsin Credit Union will host the Hearts of Hope fundraiser supporting area Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals—Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare and CMN Hospitals at Gundersen Health System. (WESTconsin Credit Union, 1/29)
Creating Community
Stevens Point YMCA to host father daughter dance
The Stevens Point Area YMCA will host its annual Father Daughter Dance on Saturday, Feb. 8, offering an evening of dining, dancing, and community fun. The event, open to the public, will run from 5 to 7 p.m. in the YMCA gym at 1000 Division St. Tickets are $15 per person for YMCA members and $18 for non-members. Participants will enjoy dinner, dancing, a keepsake photo, and a flower for each daughter. (CoVantage Credit Union, 1/27)
Supporting Financial Literacy
New survey shows 45% of Wisconsinites entered the new year with debt
A new survey from Landmark Credit Union revealed 45% of Wisconsinites reported carrying debt into the new year, and 66% take one to six months to pay off the debt. Brian Melter, the chief experience officer at Landmark Credit Union, joined us Friday on 12 News at 11 to share ways to pay off debt and set yourself up for success in 2025. (Landmark Credit Union, 1/18)
Corporate Central announces corporate certificates now available in Beastro
Corporate Central is thrilled to announce that Corporate Certificates are now live in Beastro, the corporate’s innovative platform for seamless money movement, credit union interactions, engagements, and transactions in a secure digital environment. This exciting new feature enhances the members’ investment experience, empowering credit unions to manage their investments more efficiently and effectively. (Corporate Central Credit Union, 1/1)
Fostering Excellence
Shannon Cate earns certified Wisconsin Credit Union Leader designation through leadership institute
Corporate Central is proud to announce that Shannon Cate, NCP, CCUFC, CWCUL, Director of Member Experience, has successfully completed the six-month Leadership Institute Part I certificate program through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Continuing Education in partnership with the Wisconsin Credit Union League. With this accomplishment, Shannon has earned the prestigious Certified Wisconsin Credit Union Leader (CWCUL) designation. (Corporate Central Credit Union, 1/1)
MMCCU President David Murphy Named to Small Credit Union Council
Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union (MMCCU) President David Murphy has been appointed to the Small Credit Union Council of America’s Credit Unions. This two-year term, beginning January 1, 2025, recognizes Murphy’s leadership in the credit union movement and his commitment to supporting small credit unions nationwide. (Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union, 1/21)
Investing in Communities
Credit Union opens at new location
The new home of the Indianhead Credit Union branch in Grantsburg has been completed and opened to the public last week at a new location, right along State Road 70 at 725 South Robert Street. After a May 6 groundbreaking, the new facility opened only a few weeks later than originally planned. That new branch replaces the previous downtown Grantsburg location, which has been owned by the credit union since the early 1990s, after a merger. (Indianhead Credit Union, 1/3)
Superior Choice Credit Union opens new branch in Hayward, WI
Superior Choice Credit Union (SCCU) is proud to announce the opening of its newest, state-of-the-art branch in Hayward, Wisconsin. Officially opened on Monday, January 13, 2025, the new branch replaces an older, outdated location and serves as a modern, welcoming space for members and the Hayward community. (Superior Choice Credit Union, 1/15)
Kohler Credit Union Returns as 2025 Season Presenting Sponsor
The Lakeshore Chinooks are excited to welcome back Kohler Credit Union as the team's season presenting sponsor for the upcoming 2025 Season. After being a partner for over a decade, Kohler Credit Union became the organization's season presenting sponsor in 2024 and will continue to be through the 2026 season. (Kohler Credit Union,1/20)