UFCU Employees Donate, Time, Talent, and Treasure in Service of the Community

Austin, Texas, August 9, 2017 — University Federal Credit Union, Austin’s largest locally-owned financial institution, continues to further their mission of community service. If it takes 10,000 hours of practice for someone to develop true expertise, as author Malcolm Gladwell famously claimed, UFCU employees are well on their way to becoming expert volunteers. In 2016 alone, they donated 4,245 hours of their time to mission-driven, nonprofit organizations in the Central Texas region through their DO GOOD program.

Established in late 2015, the DO GOOD program supports UFCU employees in their volunteerism and philanthropy by allowing them to volunteer as many as 32 workday hours with pay per year. The program encourages individuals to find their passion and volunteer on their own, with their colleagues, or together as an organization.

“Our DO GOOD program positions us to succeed — whether it’s serving our Members or our community — for years to come. My colleagues and I love working for a place that has a mission that’s bigger than any bottom line,” said Tony Budet, UFCU president/CEO.

In keeping with that mission, UFCU matches employees’ financial contributions to any 501(c)(3) organization. And they double that match for donations to the program’s strategic partners: the Seton Healthcare Family/Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area, and Meals on Wheels Central Texas. UFCU and its employees gave almost $75,000 in 2016.

“We started the DO GOOD program because a big part of our mission — the mission of credit unions everywhere — is to be actively engaged in our community. UFCU employees and credit union employees everywhere really are a force for good,” said Heather McKissick, vice president of community impact and business development. We’ve had phenomenal results in our first year. That’s why we’re so excited about the program and so excited to see what happens next.”

More than 65% of employees participated in the DO GOOD program in 2016. Volunteer activities included writing thank you notes to donors, crocheting baby blankets, cooking meals for families of hospitalized children, donating school supplies, mentoring youth, and delivering meals and pet supplies to homebound older adults and people with disabilities.

“In 2016, many UFCU employees participated on a weekly basis,” said Denise Jimenez, volunteer recruitment coordinator with Meals on Wheels Central Texas. “The DO GOOD committee is so energetic. They were willing to do anything that came their way. The energy they brought was amazing, and I’m sure that went through to the clients. It was just an awesome experience to work with those folks.”

UFCU employees note that they benefit personally and professionally from the DO GOOD program themselves.

“When a UFCU DO GOOD champion presented an opportunity to volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club as a Youth of the Year mentor, I jumped at the chance. This volunteer opportunity would allow me to build and utilize my communication skills while contributing to a young person’s journey in a highly competitive and prestigious program,” said Laura Rea, senior manager, assurance services.

About UFCU
As the largest locally-owned financial institution in Central Texas, UFCU was recently named the leading mortgage lender in Austin. With $2.2 billion in assets under management and over 225,000 Members in Central Texas and Galveston County, UFCU aspires to strengthen the financial health of its Members and the broader community through a variety of contemporary products, services, and educational programs. Visit UFCU.org to learn more.