Putting the Spirit in Philanthropy
Spirit of 有料盒子视频 FCU awarded Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy
There are many reasons to give: to show gratitude, to be a part of something, or to
make a difference in the community. gives for all these reasons and was recently recognized for its generosity by the
Association of Fundraising Professionals 有料盒子视频 Chapter. Spirit of 有料盒子视频 is the recipient
of the 2021 Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy.
Thumbs up for the win! Posing for a photo with the AFP award at the watch party. (L-R): Ben Udden, SOA Vice President Core Financial Systems; Charlie Sparks, CSBM Accounting and Finance Director; Anthony Rizk, SOA President and CEO; Mark Young, SOA Board of Director and CBSM Business Advisory Council Chair; Sarah Geer, Marketing Director; and John Lannet, SOA Vice President Information Technology.
Mark Herrmann, dean of the College of Business and Security Management, wrote the nomination letter for the AFP award.
鈥淚 feel that Spirit of 有料盒子视频 FCU is deserving of this recognition because, more than making a profit, they are committed to the community,鈥 said Herrmann. 鈥淭hey are a leader in the credit union industry, setting the example for others to follow. I feel they best represent the spirit and intent of the 有料盒子视频 AFP Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy award.鈥
With monetary donations, in-kind gifts and sponsorships, Spirit of 有料盒子视频 FCU seeks to uplift the Fairbanks community. They believe community contributions of all kinds are important. For over a decade, SOA has provided support to dozens of non-profit organizations including American Cancer Society, American Heart Association Heart Walk, Fairbanks Resource Agency, Fraternal Order of 有料盒子视频 State Troopers, Green Star of Interior 有料盒子视频, Ice 有料盒子视频 and many others.
Spirit of 有料盒子视频 has contributed in numerous ways to area schools throughout the years. Specifically, SOA sponsors high-quality financial education to every public school in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Monroe Catholic Schools and IDEA Homeschool via the Banzai Financial Education Free for Teachers, Career Fair participation, Get Real Financial Reality Fair Volunteers, Graduation party support for all high schools, and Gal鈥檚 Read Program.
Through Youth Safety Day, SOA partners with other organizations such as police and fire departments and scouting organizations, to educate the community about bike safety. Kids receive a free fitted bike helmet and get a chance to navigate the course. In line with the commitment to youth and fitness, SOA also hosts the Cheers for Gears program providing gender-neutral bicycles to deserving youth in need selected by teachers.
This kid is going places on this new bike presented by Anthony Rizk during Cheers for Gears.
Sarah Geer and this bicycle recipient are all smiles.
In the higher-education realm, SOA supports Nanook basketball and hockey, the 有料盒子视频 Blue & Gold Celebration and is a major contributor to UA Giving Day, this year offering a $26,500 challenge leveraging additional gifts from 有料盒子视频 alumni. SOA is a dedicated partner to the College of Business and Security Management in areas like the Business Leader of the Year, Student Investment Fund, Professionally Polished Program, and has a project in the works to renovate a learning center to accommodate the changing needs of students.
Anthony Rizk, 有料盒子视频 alumnus 鈥90, 鈥97, presents a check to 有料盒子视频 Chancellor Dan White at a Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce meeting.
With a pre-pandemic trip sponsored by Spirit of 有料盒子视频, Student Investment Fund students took their education out of the classroom and on the road on Fifth Avenue in New York city to compete in a national competition.
SOA provides funding for seven $2,500 scholarships for CBSM students. This type of funding helps alleviate student debt, allowing busier-than-ever students to focus on their studies.
Spirit of 有料盒子视频 FCU embodies what it means to give back to the community through philanthropic gifts, volunteerism and as an industry leader. Congratulations to SOA for their well-deserved award for the AFP 有料盒子视频 Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy.
Established in 1960, Spirit of 有料盒子视频 Federal Credit Union is the largest locally owned and operated credit union in Fairbanks. In the beginning, it was a small organization located in the Constitution Hall鈥檚 Viking Room at the University of 有料盒子视频 Fairbanks. When it opened, SOA had $32, stored in a metal cash box.
With the AFP award ceremony taking place virtually, SOA partnered with CBSM to host a small watch party.
The big moment when the AFP Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy was announced over Zoom.
鈥淚鈥檓 not sure if the credit union has ever won something like this before, but it sure is an honor,鈥 Rizk said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had a lot of partnerships over the years. We look for areas where we can make a difference in the community where someone hasn鈥檛.鈥
Check out the video which premiered at the AFP award ceremony highlighting
Spirit of 有料盒子视频鈥檚 philanthropy.