We don't just live and do business in our community; we also get involved by sponsoring, volunteering and participating when neighbors need a helping hand.
It’s living out our brand promise “Life is Better with Community” and one of our core values. It's an opportunity to give back, a chance to learn, develop relationships, and create memories. It's also a lot of fun.
Quarterly Charities
Each quarter, FCCU’s 260 employees vote and select a charity cause to support by raising funds and awareness. From food relief to health-related causes, our charity causes are just another way FCCU helps those in need. Since launching in 2012, it’s something that both staff and FCCU members look forward to being involved in.
Make-A-Wish & Cancer Causes
The fourth quarter fundraising cause is cancer causes. To support this worthy cause, FCCU staff will be holding a variety of fundraisers as well as supporting a child fighting cancer through Make-A-Wish North Dakota. Together with members and community members, our goal is to raise enough money to Adopt-A-Wish and make a wish come true for one child battling cancer in our field of membership.
FCCU is also holding a supply drive at each branch, for those battling cancer.
A pop-up store offering co-branded Make-A-Wish and FCCU t-shirts and sweatshirts with 100% of benefits going to Make-A-Wish North Dakota was held. Other fundraising activities include World’s Finest Chocolate candy bar sales, casual days and volunteering when possible. Special Note: We’ll be holding a special silent auction featuring hockey items in November/December. Stay tuned for more information.
For over 40 years, Make-A-Wish has been granting life-changing wishes for critically ill children and families. A wish can be the spark that helps these children believe that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder against their illnesses.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The third quarter main focus was mental health and suicide prevention awareness, raising $4,500 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
FCCU chose to use these funds to sponsor AFSP’s Out of the Darkness Walks in Bismarck, Fargo, Devils Lake, Wahpeton and Valley City. Many of our staff volunteered to help with the walks and participated on our teams. FCCU also donated $500 to the Stutsman County Motorcycle Ride to Silence the Stigma.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention works to destigmatize mental health and bring awareness to suicide. The majority of funds raised by the organization are used to support education programs, training, and support state advocacy programs and events.
Out of hundreds, if not thousands of organizations, this cause was chosen by staff because we saw the need and the support that we could provide through our Credit Union Family.
Unfortunately, this cause hits close to home for far too many individuals. This topic can bring emotions for many reading this, but it is our hope is that we can turn that emotion into help and support, making a difference in the lives of those around us and beyond.
If we help even just one person through information and resources, we’ve made a difference. Hopefully, with our 46,000-member Credit Union Family, we can make an even bigger impact.
Ronald McDonald House Charities & Sunshine Hospitality Home
The second quarter fundraising cause, as chosen by FCCU staff, was the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley and of Bismarck and the Sunshine Hospitality Home in Grand Forks. These homes provide a place of comfort for families who must travel when their kids need medical care. Families have a place to rest near medical facilities, receive care and support resources, and connect with other guest families.
FCCU raised $6,000 total, with $2,000 going to the Bismarck and Red River Valley Ronald McDonald Houses and the Sunshine Hospitality Home in Grand Forks.
Our staff raised funds through various channels, including pop tab collection, an internal silent auction fundraiser, a grill out, and holding a Jeans Week for staff.
Great Plains Food Bank
To select the first quarter charity cause of 2023, FCCU asked our members to join staff in voting. The Great Plains Food Bank was the cause chosen. Celebrating 40 years of hunger relief, the GPFB operates 9 programs to recover and distribute food to combat hunger for children, seniors and those in rural communities. With help from volunteers and donors, their network of 200 partner food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens helps to feed those in need across North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota.
In addition to our donation of $6,500, food drives were held at each branch to benefit area pantries. Other fundraising activities included a Spirit Week, bake sales and other local fundraisers, a staff Bingo game and jeans Fridays. Staff also volunteered at the Feed My Starving Children Mobile Packs in Fargo and Grand Forks, made and distributed meals for Lasagna Love and delivered Meals on Wheels.
Organizations We’ve Worked With
The following are just a few of the worthy organizations that we support throughout our company.
Donations & Sponsorships:
- United Way
- Relay for Life
- Local food pantries
- Wildlife clubs
- YMCA
- Local colleges & universities
Looking for a donation for your organization or event?
Associations and organizations where our staff volunteer their time and skills:
- Clubs such as Elks, Lions, Kiwanis, Sertoma, Knights of Columbus, Young Professionals Network
- Boards including Chamber of Commerce, United Way and Red Cross
- Meals on Wheels
- Relay for Life
- Local schools
- Farm Rescue
- Special Olympic Sports
- 4-H
- Junior Achievement and financial literacy teaching
Life is better with Community. That’s why we love to support our local communities.