Credit Union Awards Given and Received

Cornerstone League recognizes member credit unions for their growth and community endeavors to exemplify the “people helping people” philosophy.

Arsenal Credit Union Awards $13,200 to St. Louis Nonprofit Organizations

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Twelve local nonprofits were awarded $13,200 worth of grants from Arsenal Credit Union’s Community Impact Fund. The grants will help these groups serve the community in the unique ways they’re equipped to do so.

The nonprofits serve Jefferson County, St. Louis County, and St. Louis City communities. They work to address diverse problems, including providing food and supplies for the unhoused community, supplying medication for people living with disabilities, and leading at-risk youth down a safe path.

• Arnold Police Explorers (Arnold)
• Pony Bird (Arnold)
• Atlas Youth Outreach (Arnold)
• Gateway Food Pantry (Arnold)
• Foster Together (Arnold)
• Camp Circle Star (Valles Mines)
• It’s Your Birthday (Florissant)
• Fisher House St. Louis (St. Louis)
• St. Louis Area Diaper Bank (St. Louis)
• United 4 Children (St. Louis)
• The Camp Rainbow Foundation (Fenton)
• Street Patrol (St. Louis)

Since 2020, over 30 St. Louis nonprofits have been awarded $69,900 from the Community Impact Fund.

"At Arsenal, we're proud to live out the credit union mission of 'people helping people' every day,” said Arsenal Marketing Manager Jenny Remes. “One of the most rewarding ways we do this is through our Community Impact Grant, where we have the honor of supporting local nonprofits and the incredible work they do."

Education First FCU Awards $13,500 to Nonprofits via Blue Jean Friday Fund

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This week, Beaumont, Texas-based Education First Federal Credit Union announced the recipients of its 2024 Blue Jean Friday Fund Community Donation Grants. With $624 million in assets, the credit union awarded $13,500 to three local nonprofits at a special check presentation on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Following a competitive review of over 50 applications, the selection committee chose the following organizations for their impactful work in the Southeast Texas community:

Junior Achievement of the Golden Triangle. The grant will support Finance Park, which provides free financial literacy education to 1,350 area students. Combining a curriculum with an interactive simulation, Finance Park teaches students essential skills for making informed decisions about income, expenses, savings, and credit.

Southeast Texas Family Resource Center. The grant will  support the It Begins at Home initiative in the Charlton Pollard Community. This program offers parenting courses focused on building healthy relationships with children while setting loving but firm boundaries. Children participate in classroom activities to develop social skills, equipping families with tools to succeed academically and beyond.

Nutrition & Services for Seniors. The grant will sustain the Meals on Wheels program, which delivers approximately 1,600 meals daily to homebound seniors. This program addresses rising food insecurity and combats social isolation, offering vital human connections to seniors in need.

Started in 2014, the Blue Jean Friday Fund is an employee-driven initiative wherein Education First staff contribute $2.50 weekly to wear blue jeans on Fridays. The pooled funds support grants for local nonprofits. The credit union has donated over $84,500 to date.

Shell FCU Wins 2024 Top Workplaces Award and Eight Culture Excellence Awards

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Deer Park, Texas-based Shell Federal Credit Union has been recognized as a 2024 Houston Chronicle Top Workplace, marking its 14th consecutive year of receiving the prestigious honor. The $1.8 billion credit union also earned eight Culture Excellence Awards, a testament to its dedication to fostering a people-first workplace.

The Top Workplaces awards are determined by Energage, a purpose-driven organization committed to building and branding exceptional employers. This year, Shell FCU ranked seventh in the large company category, cementing its reputation as a leader in workplace culture. Shell FCU received recognition in eight distinct areas of workplace culture:

• Innovation: Celebrating organizations that empower employees to share ideas and foster creativity at all levels.
• Employee Appreciation: Honoring companies that value employee contributions and create a reciprocal culture of motivation and engagement.
• Work-Life Flexibility: Highlighting employers who prioritize flexible work arrangements and support employee well-being.
• Employee Well-Being: Recognizing organizations that place employee health and wellness at the forefront of their culture.
• Professional Development: Acknowledging companies dedicated to nurturing career growth and professional advancement.
• Compensation and Benefits: Rewarding organizations offering competitive pay, benefits, and genuine recognition of employee efforts.
• Leadership: Celebrating leaders who inspire trust, listen to employees, and align their vision with customer and organizational needs.
• Purpose and Values: Recognizing organizations that deeply embed their mission and values into everyday operations.

Top Workplaces awards are based on feedback from a research-backed employee engagement survey. Details about how Shell Federal Credit Union builds a great workplace culture can be found here.