San Diego County CA— San Diego County Credit Union^® (SDCCU^®), San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institution, was named Outstanding Philanthropic Business/Corporation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) San Diego Chapter. SDCCU was honored during the San Diego 45^th Annual National Philanthropy Day celebration, which took place on Tuesday, November 14 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
“SDCCU is incredibly honored to be recognized as this year’s Outstanding Business/Corporation by AFP. As an engaged community partner, we are proud to support over 75 non-profits and participate in many community events each year,” said SDCCU President and CEO Teresa Halleck. “Our focus on giving back to the communities where we operate is part of SDCCU’s guiding philosophy, which places people first and profits second—a forward thinking approach to the financial industry that we believe has propelled the credit union to become San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institution and BEST credit union.”
In the past year, SDCCU’s community outreach included support for the San Diego Bowl Game Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, San Diego Humane Society, San Diego County Office of Education, Rady Children’s Hospital, United Way and San Diego LGBT Pride, to name a few. SDCCU has also created its own outreach programs, such as SDCCU Classroom Heroes™, which celebrates teachers who go above and beyond to inspire and empower young people. SDCCU also partnered with the San Diego County Library System to launch Financial Wellness Wednesdays, which offers free financial counseling sessions in both English and Spanish. The SDCCU Biz Kid$ Program, launched in partnership with the County of San Diego and the San Diego County Office of Education, teaches kids the basics of money and business.
Over the past decade, the SDCCU Shred Day events, which are free for the community, have resulted in the safe destruction and recycling of close to 3.5 million pounds of sensitive paperwork. This effort has preserved nearly 30,000 trees and $380,000 in destruction fees. It has even reached a level of global awareness — SDCCU has won five Guinness World Records® for the most paper collected in 24 hours and one for most paper shredded in eight hours. Through its commitment to the community, SDCCU is ensuring San Diegans are able to “Feel the Teal™” and live better.
The purpose of the National Philanthropy Day Celebration, organized each year by AFP, is to recognize the contributions of philanthropy—those people who are actively engaged in giving through time, talent and treasure; and the development of professionals who connect them to great causes—to strengthen and enrich the community and world. San Diego’s National Philanthropy Day is one of the largest and most successful in the U.S., attracting 1,000+ participants.
The AFP is the world’s largest network of fundraising professionals. Since 1960, AFP has inspired global change and supported efforts that generated more than $1 trillion. An international organization with more than 330,000 members, AFP members raise more than $115 billion annually. This is equivalent to one-quarter of all charitable giving in North America. In San Diego, our focus is on strengthening the region by educating development professionals in best practices in fundraising, applying the high standards of the AFP Code of Ethics.
San Diego County Credit Union is San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institution serving San Diego, Riverside and Orange counties. SDCCU has assets of $8.2 billion, over 367,000 customers, 43 convenient branch locations and 30,000 surcharge-FREE ATMs. SDCCU provides breakthrough banking products that meet the demands of today’s lifestyle and delivers banking services that save customers money. SDCCU is leading the way, offering FREE Checking with eStatements, SDCCU mobile banking, mortgage loans, auto loans, Visa^® credit cards and business banking services. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Opportunity. For more information, visit www.sdccu.com.