Where a penny still makes a difference in Marion and Polk counties
Many of us would like to maximize our local donations but are unaware of the easy opportunities to make a significant impact. Take Maps Credit Union’s Free Community Accounts program. When a Maps member uses their debit card, Maps donates a cent to the community with each transaction. Last year, this Free Community Accounts program generated more than $130,000 for local education, scholarships, and nonprofit organizations.
“As we look ahead to Giving Tuesday in November, we want to recognize the important role our Maps members play in local philanthropy. By simply using your Maps debit card, you make a positive impact year-round through our community giving programs,” says Kim Hanson, Executive Director of the Maps Community Foundation.
Those pennies really do add up. In 2020, Maps members put just over $113,000 back into local education, scholarships, and other community assistance programs. In 2021, members increased their impact by 16 percent simply through debit card swipes. Current Maps Community Foundation investments include college scholarships, community awards, teacher grants, impact partnerships, school donations, community events and sponsorships.
Donations are an important indicator of Maps’ commitment to improving the quality of life in the communities it serves. Since its inception in 2012, the Maps Free Community Checking program has contributed nearly $1 million to the community. In recent years, Maps Credit Union has generously contributed to this amount by expanding its community giving efforts through the expansion of the Maps Community Foundation.
The overall goal of the Maps Community Foundation is to enrich the lives of its members and our community by investing in education, economic empowerment, and community vibrancy. Maps’ donations are focused on Marion and Polk counties, as the majority of Maps members (approximately 75%) reside in this area. With this simple and effective one-cent-per-card donation model, our members play a key role in our community giving initiatives and have a direct impact on their communities.
Free Community Checking has no minimum balance. For each debit card purchase, Maps donates one penny to its charitable arm, the 501(c)(3) Maps Community Foundation. To learn more about Maps membership and its Free Community Checking program, visit www.mapscu.com.
