A co-operative approach to community impact

Where You Bank Makes A Difference

Each year we reinvest 10% of our net profits into impact initiatives that empower communities. Initiatives include community development partnerships, capacity-building programming for non-profits and small businesses, post-secondary scholarships, financial literacy resources, Branch Donations ($100-500), Impact Donations ($500+ with intakes held in Feb and Aug), sponsorships, and patient loans for social enterprises

Our impact focus areas are carefully aligned with our vision to build financially healthy communities and our purpose to empower through knowledge.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We take action in our communities to create an equitable, inclusive economy that creates opportunity for all, for the long term.
Environmental Sustainability: We work towards greater sustainability every year by regularly monitoring and thoughtfully decreasing our own impact and emissions while supporting community-based environmental initiatives.
Local Economic Development: We contribute to resilient and prosperous communities through local engagement, giving and volunteerism.

Branch Donations $100-$500 (open year-round)

Want support for a local event or small project? Are you a community account holder or non-profit member? Requests for donations between $100 - $500 are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Apply for a Branch Donation

Impact Donations $500+ (open February & August)

Impact Donations help us empower important social and environmental initiatives. We're proud to support non-profits, collectives, co-operatives, and social enterprises that make a difference in the communities we serve. Applications are only open TWICE a year in February & August. Both members and non-members may apply, though preference is given to members and projects that align with our focus areas. We strive to achieve a balance between applications that meet immediate community need (food hampers, local events, etc.) and those that foster systemic change (environmental sustainability, housing security, community planning, etc.).

Apply for an Impact Donation

Sponsorships

Working on an event/project that will generate positive impact in the community and looking for sponsorship? We're always seeking to create meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships. Applications for sponsorships are now open for local organizations! Preference is given to applicants with aligned values of diversity, equity & inclusion, environmental sustainability, and local economic development.

Apply for a Sponsorship

Scholarships (open May 15^th - July 15^th)

One way we live our purpose of 'empowering through knowledge' is by offering financial support through First Credit Union Scholarships. Scholarships are open to all members attending post secondary programs, including life-long (mature) learners.

Scholarships are $1,500 and are available to all members in good standing for one year or more. Applications are viewed through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens and challenges or barriers to education are considered. We strive to invest scholarship dollars equitably across the communities we serve.

Applications are accepted starting May 15^thwith a deadline of July 15^th. Recipients are announced in early August. Due to the high volume of requests, only those selected for a scholarship will be notified.

Check back in May to apply!

Being a Credit Union member has benefits...

First Credit Union is also proud to help BC students reach their post-secondary education goals through the Credit Unions of BC Bursary Program.
Learn more & submit your application today!

Financial Literacy

Financial literacy is the first step toward establishing healthy financial habits. Want to host a community financial literacy event? Get in touch with us about free sessions! We can focus on basic products and services like RSPs/RESPs or something more specific.

Another resource for financial literacy is through online, self-paced learing via Each One, Teach One (EOTO) workshops. EOTO is a Canada-wide program that has partnered with credit unions to educate the public and create healthy financial habits that get passed down to positively impact generations to come.

Read more about financial literacy

Are you a non-profit looking for partnership opportunities?

Sign up to get the occasional email about opportunities in the non-profit and social-profit space in the communities we serve.

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First Credit Union operates on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, specifically the K’òmoks, Klahoose, Tla’amin and Squamish Nations