StellerVista Credit Union is celebrating International Credit Union Day by investing in the people making a difference close to home.

Nineteen non-profit community groups and initiatives across the Kootenay and Boundary regions have been awarded StellerImpact community grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, totalling more than $50,000.

“Credit Union Day is a great reminder of why the co-operative way of banking matters,” said Jody Burk, CEO of StellerVista Credit Union. “We’re owned by our members, not outside shareholders, so the decisions we make and the money we earn stay right here, working for the people and places we call home. That’s what banking like you live here is all about, and there’s no better way to celebrate the day than by investing back into our communities.”

International Credit Union Day has been celebrated around the world on the third Thursday of October since 1948. The day recognizes what sets credit unions apart: they are owned by the members they serve, and concern for community is one of the seven co-operative principles they are built on.

The StellerImpact grant program, now in its fourth year, supports community-focused projects in the areas served by StellerVista Credit Union, including Cranbrook, Castlegar, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, the Slocan Valley, and the West Boundary.

“Every day, people and organizations in our communities are rolling up their sleeves to create positive change,” said Burk. “As a credit union, it’s part of who we are to stand beside them, and investing in their efforts is one way we help our region thrive. It’s inspiring to see the variety and creativity of the projects being led by local groups. In the hands of dedicated volunteers, these grants go a long way, and their impact is felt in our communities long after the cheques are handed out.”

The program accepts applications from July to September each year and is designed to fund impactful projects taking place in the Kootenay and Boundary regions of B.C.

Organizations interested in the next round of StellerImpact grants can apply starting in July 2027.

More information about the grants awarded will be shared online as the projects get going.

Submitted

Article Share