Investing in our communities.
In 2024, StellerVista Credit Union’s Board of Directors reaffirmed its commitment to community investment and corporate social responsibility by actioning our new our policy that allocates 10% of pre-tax earnings directly to these efforts. This commitment was realized through more than $200,000 in community investments across the Kootenay/Boundary regions, including over $75,000 in local donations from our branches to local groups and more than $25,000 in StellerStudent awards. All in, our support encompasses grants, branch donations, student awards, and other in-kind contributions, striking a balance between making a significant impact and supporting the unique needs of our local communities.
Throughout the year, our staff actively participated in community events and led local donation initiatives at our branches, further embedding the spirit of cooperation and local engagement in everything we do. 2024 was another transformative year for our credit union, and our community investment program built on our longstanding tradition of giving back—enabling us to do even more to enhance the well-being of the places we call home. Below are just a few examples of the positive impact we achieved in 2024.
StellerImpact Grants
2024 continued the success of our StellerImpact grants program, building on the legacy of our credit unions’ significant community contributions. Recognizing the enhanced effect we can achieve through partnerships with local groups and projects, this program is designed to provide partial funding, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, to initiatives that drive real community impact. This year, we issued $48,000 in StellerImpact grants to 18 different projects across our service areas, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to empowering local initiatives and fostering meaningful change in the communities we serve.
Regional Food Banks
We donated over $30,000 to local food banks across the regions we serve in 2024. In today’s challenging environment, food security is more critical than ever. By supporting local food banks, we are helping to ensure that our neighbors have access to nutritious, affordable food—an essential resource for building resilient communities. This donation is not just a charitable effort; it reflects our deep commitment to grassroots initiatives and our cooperative values. Included in this effort was a full staff-led fundraiser that raised more than $1,100, further demonstrating our active role in community support. At StellerVista, we believe that investing in the well-being of our communities is fundamental to our mission, and our contributions to local food banks are a tangible demonstration of that commitment.
StellerStudents
Part of our commitment to community investment is an investment in local students. In 2024, StellerVista continued to run these awards in-house in certain regions, aiming to increase accessibility. Recognizing the changing landscape of education and the diverse individuals pursuing it, we are thrilled to see a broader range of students applying for scholarships. We plan to further expand this program in the future. Last year, we awarded more than $25,000 to local students across all seven of our communities.