Investing in our communities.
In 2023, StellerVista Credit Union’s Board of Directors made a clear commitment to community investment and corporate social responsibility in general, by writing it into policy – allocating 10% of the credit union’s pre-tax earnings annually to these community efforts. This came to life in 2023 through more than $200,000 of community investment across the Kootenay/Boundary regions. These community investments come in the form of grants, branch donations, student awards, and other in-kind donations from StellerVista. The goal is to strike a balance between making a true impact, and supporting grassroots local causes. While our communities are similar in a lot of ways, they are also each unique in their own ways – so being relevant and impactful is key to success. We do call it community investment for a reason, as there is a goal and through these programs we seek to make things better in the places we live.
Last year, we were pleased to share the value of this program across our organization, as staff participated and volunteers in community events and led local donations directly in-branch. 2023 a busy and transformative year for our credit union, and community investment was one area where we really took our tradition, and what was already in place, and built on it to do even more. Below are just a few examples of what we were able to do in 2023.
StellerStudents
Part of our commitment to community investment, is an investment in local students. Last year, StellerVista experimented with running these awards in-house in certain regions, with the goal of opening up accessibility. We know that education is changing, as well as the people who are pursuing it. We are excited to see a broader range of students applying for scholarships, and plan to expand this program even further as time goes on. In 2023, we gave more than $25,000 to local students across all seven of our communities.
StellerStudents
Part of our commitment to community investment, is an investment in local students. Last year, StellerVista experimented with running these awards in-house in certain regions, with the goal of opening up accessibility. We know that education is changing, as well as the people who are pursuing it. We are excited to see a broader range of students applying for scholarships, and plan to expand this program even further as time goes on. In 2023, we gave more than $25,000 to local students across all seven of our communities.
StellerImpact
2023 marked the inaugural year of our StellerImpact grants program. While our legacy credit unions have always been great at making an impact in our communities, we realize that the better we can partner with local groups and projects, the bigger the impact we can make. As such, this program aims to provide partial funding, between $1,000 and $5,000 to local projects making a true community impact. In 2023, we issued more than $50,000 in StellerImpact grants.
StellerImpact
2023 marked the inaugural year of our StellerImpact grants program. While our legacy credit unions have always been great at making an impact in our communities, we realize that the better we can partner with local groups and projects, the bigger the impact we can make. As such, this program aims to provide partial funding, between $1,000 and $5,000 to local projects making a true community impact. In 2023, we issued more than $50,000 in StellerImpact grants.
Quality of Life
Last year, we were honored to provide donations, across all seven of our communities, to a number of notable organizations that are continuously working to directly improve quality of life for those living here. Between the East Kootenay Foundation for Health and the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Health Foundation, we donated more than $25,000. As well, during December of 2023, we donated more than $20,000 to the local foodbanks in each of our communities.
Quality of Life
Last year, we were honored to provide donations, across all seven of our communities, to a number of notable organizations that are continuously working to directly improve quality of life for those living here. Between the East Kootenay Foundation for Health and the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Health Foundation, we donated more than $25,000. As well, during December of 2023, we donated more than $20,000 to the local foodbanks in each of our communities.
StellerStarts
We all know that the true community leaders live at the grassroots level. Our StellerStarts grant program, which offers grants up to $500, was launched as an effort to spread the word about how we can help. We know there are so many new groups and new leaders out there – many unaware that their local credit union might be their next community partner. These grants are managed at the local level – much like our branch donations, which make up a large part of the community investments we give in a year. Local people, making local donations – continuing our credit union's long-standing tradition.
StellerStarts
We all know that the true community leaders live at the grassroots level. Our StellerStarts grant program, which offers grants up to $5,000, was launched as an effort to spread the word about how we can help. We know there are so many new groups and new leaders out there – many unaware that their local credit union might be their next community partner. These grants are managed at the local level – much like our branch donations, which make up a large part of the community investments we give in a year. Local people, making local donations – continuing our credit union's long-standing tradition.