WATERFORD, Conn.– Charter Oak Federal Credit Union’s Matching Gifts Program’s total giving during 2017 exceeded $300,000, and the combined donations from the credit union and its members were able to provide much-needed financial assistance to more than 270 charities and non-profit groups.
“We care about our members, and our Matching Gifts Program lets us support the charitable organizations that mean the most to them,” said Brian A. Orenstein, Charter Oak’s president and CEO. “We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our members to donate to their favorite charities. Once we saw the strong response to our Matching Gifts ‘$100,000 in 100 Days’ initiative, we agreed to increase our matched donations by more than 50%, to a total of $151,100.”
During the course of the 2017 Matching Gifts Program, Charter Oak said it received over 900 donations from its members that it matched, ranging from an individual $25 match up to a $500 member match. The combined donations from Charter Oak and its members totaled $302,200 at the conclusion of the 2017 Matching Gifts initiative. “All of those funds helped countless charities, from those that feed the hungry to organizations that fund breast cancer research or offer educational programs to help those in need,” Orenstein said.
Charter Oak launched its 2017 “$100,000 in 100 Days” Matching Gifts Program on Monday, August 14th and the program concluded on Wednesday, November 22nd. During that time, Charter Oak matched all qualified donations made by its primary members to 501(c)(3) charities. The giving program was greatly enhanced during 2017 by Charter Oak’s commitment to match up to $500 in donations per member compared to its $100 per-member matching donation when Charter Oak’s Matching Gifts Program was first launched in 2016.
Among the many charitable groups in New London and Windham counties to benefit from donations to Charter Oak’s Matching Gifts Program were The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, Inc.; the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation; High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center; Safe Futures Inc.; and the Windham County 4-H Foundation, Inc.