By Nick Coleman
As 2023 progresses, companies are seeing an industry wide focus on culture being the driving force behind employee engagement, retention, and success.
For Arizona Central Credit Union, there is a major player in the credit union’s company culture: Credit Unions for Kids (CU4Kids). For Kellee Dominguez, community development manager, and Melanie Hemming, marketing director, CU4Kids has been at the core of the company culture and mission since the beginning.
With 175 employees, 62,000 members and $750 million in assets, philanthropic culture rings through to all who enter Arizona Central. Both staff and members have grown accustomed to CU4Kids, recognizing it as an important program that gives back to their local children’s hospitals in Arizona.
The Core Message
At the core of Arizona Central’s company culture is people helping people, which makes donating to CU4Kids an easy ask. Fundraising allows credit unions to show how much they care, not only about members’ financial health, but also the wellness of families in the community. As a credit union, living and breathing your company mission and vision statement imparts a sense of purpose and focus for employees.
Rather than asking staff for donations and fundraising through more traditional methods such as payroll deduction, Arizona Central is able to foster creativity and engagement by allowing staff to present ideas to raise funds. In the past, staff have come up with events such as golf tournaments, raffles, breakfast burrito sales, snack bars, merchandise sales, and much more.
“We’re constantly thinking of new fundraising ideas to try and keep our employees engaged and keep things interesting,” stated Dominguez.
Funds in Action: Camp Rainbow
Donations from Arizona Central Credit Union, and other Phoenix-area credit unions support Camp Rainbow at Phoenix Children’s. Camp Rainbow is a summer camp for patients that have had cancer or a chronic blood disorder.
“We are so grateful to Arizona Central Credit Union for their continued partnership and commitment to Phoenix Children’s,” said Susan O’Donnell. CMN Hospitals program director at Phoenix Children’s. “We see their culture of giving back in so many real-life examples, from volunteering at our events to fundraisers in their branches. We feel very lucky to be the recipient of their generosity. The funds they raise support Camp Rainbow – an annual week-long camp for patients who have or have had cancer or blood disorders. Without the involvement of Arizona Central Credit Union and our other local Credit Unions, we could not provide the kids at Camp Rainbow with this meaningful experience. We are deeply grateful for their support, which has continued to surpass our expectations.”
Aligning With the Motto
At the core of every credit union is the motto “people helping people.” Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and CU4Kids follow closely in line when it comes to this motto.
The funds raised for CMN Hospitals through Credit Union for Kids help foster economic stability by removing barriers to help kids get the care they need when they need it, no matter life’s circumstances.
Supporting CMN Hospitals helps create a healthier, happier future for families and communities for years to come. Credit unions promote their members’ financial well-being as well as the financial, economic and mental stability of their communities. For both Dominguez and Hemming, participating in CU4Kids has brought great feedback from their membership along with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Believing in the Mission
“As a credit union, it’s important to believe in the mission of CU4Kids, we model people helping people and so do they. As credit unions, it’s our job to collaborate and provide the best possible support team to our members and communities,” stated Dominguez.
Added Greg Harden, president and CEO of Arizona Central Credit Union, “Credit unions were founded on the principal of people helping people. Our commitment to the communities where we serve our members not only reflects this same principal, but it reflects the culture of our organization. Our partnership with CU4Kids and our local CMN hospitals has been a favorite for staff for many years. The impact we can make for children in our communities touches the hearts of every Arizona Central employe.”
Giving Back
Arizona Central Credit Union’s employees are committed to raising funds for the local children’s hospitals, Phoenix Children’s and Tucson Medical Center. With over 90% participation in recent campaigns through volunteering, financial education and gifting, Arizona Central is proud to say their focus is on giving back to the community.
Aside from incorporating fundraising and philanthropy into company culture, Arizona Central utilizes its partnership with Co-op Solutions to raise money for CU4Kids. In 2021, Arizona Central Credit Union was able to raise more than $16,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in order to help fund programs at Phoenix Children’s and Tucson Medical Center.
When asked about the keys to successful fundraising campaigns, both Dominguez and Hemming pointed to the credit union’s culture and the Co-op Miracle Match Program. Co-op Solutions is a household name among credit unions, offering technology and services to strengthen member connections to grow credit unions to the next level. Through the Miracle Match Program, Co-op supports credit unions by supplementing donation and fundraising efforts with additional funds and resources.
Successful Elevation
“The Co-op Miracle Match program has proven to successfully elevate credit unions philanthropic efforts, like with Arizona Central Credit Union. Arizona Central is already an outstanding community partner and we are proud to work alongside them to help kids and families in need,” stated Joe Franklin, VP of Brand and Marketing at Co-op Solutions.
From Miracle Treat Day, to volunteering at the Give-A-Thon, to donating blankets to patients, Arizona Central focuses on keeping fundraising efforts fresh and at the forefront of their employee’s and member’s minds.
Click here to learn more about how your credit union can get involved in Credit Unions for Kids.
Nick Coleman is director of National Strategic Partnerships with Children’s Miracle Network.