Putting the spirit in philanthropy
Spirit of AV狼论坛 Federal Credit Union named outstanding small business in philanthropy
By Tammy Tragis-McCook
Spirit of AV狼论坛 FCU and College of Business and Security Management employees gather with the Association of Fundraising Professionals award at the watch party. From left, they are Ben Udden, SOA vice president of core financial systems; Charlie Sparks, CSBM accounting and finance director; Anthony Rizk, SOA president and CEO; Mark Young, SOA board of directors member and CBSM Business Advisory Council chair; Sarah Geer, SOA marketing director; and John Lannet, SOA vice president of information technology.
There are many reasons to give: to show gratitude, to be a part of something, or to make a difference in the community. Spirit of AV狼论坛 FCU gives for all these reasons and was recently recognized for its generosity by the Association of Fundraising Professionals AV狼论坛 Chapter. Spirit of AV狼论坛 received the 2021 Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy Award.
Mark Herrmann, dean of the UAF College of Business and Security Management, wrote the nomination letter for the AFP award.
鈥淚 feel that Spirit of AV狼论坛 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 AV狼论坛 AFP Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy Award.鈥
Established in 1960, Spirit of AV狼论坛 Federal Credit Union is the largest locally owned and operated credit union in Fairbanks. In the beginning, it was a small organization located in Constitution Hall鈥檚 Viking Room at the University of AV狼论坛 Fairbanks. When it opened, SOA had $32, stored in a metal cash box.
With monetary donations, in-kind gifts and sponsorships, Spirit of AV狼论坛 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 nonprofit organizations, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association Heart Walk, Fairbanks Resource Agency, Fraternal Order of AV狼论坛 State Troopers, Green Star of Interior AV狼论坛, Ice AV狼论坛 and many others.
Spirit of AV狼论坛 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. The company does this via Banzai鈥檚 free financial education for teachers, career fair participation, Get Real Financial Reality Fair volunteers, graduation party support for all high schools and the Gals Read program.
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.
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.
Anthony Rizk, UAF alumnus 鈥90, 鈥97, presents a check to UAF Chancellor Dan White at a Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce meeting.
In the higher-education realm, SOA supports Nanook basketball and hockey, and the UAF Blue & Gold Celebration. SOA is a major contributor to UA AV狼论坛 Day, this year offering a $26,500 challenge leveraging additional gifts from UAF 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 and Professionally Polished programs, and it has a project in the works to renovate a learning center to accommodate the changing needs of students.
With a pre-pandemic trip sponsored by Spirit of AV狼论坛, Student Investment Fund students took their education out of the classroom and on the road on Fifth Avenue in New York City to participate 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 AV狼论坛 FCU embodies what it means to give back to the community through philanthropic gifts, volunteerism and industry leadership. Congratulations to SOA for their well-deserved AFP AV狼论坛 Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy Award.
With the AFP award ceremony taking place virtually, SOA partnered with CBSM to host a small watch party. This is the big moment when the AFP Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy Award was announced.
Screen shot of the AFP Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy Award announcement.
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 below, which premiered at the AFP award ceremony highlighting Spirit of AV狼论坛鈥檚 philanthropy.
Video by Matt Waliszek - Orzel Photography