Imagine the Difference

Imagine the Difference brings listeners to the intersection of credit unions and nonprofit organizations. We shine a spotlight on the mechanics behind, and mutual benefits of, this unique relationship. We help credit unions elevate their cause marketing for member engagement, and guide nonprofits in the formation of a successful credit union partnership.

Heart Warming Partnerships 11/07/2022

Heart Warming Partnerships What happens when a credit union partners with a nonprofit? In this episode, Sharlene Wells and Michael Andrews discuss their partnership and all the good they have done together in their respective communities. They dive deep into community giving, giveback days, and how you can engage with your community. They also share why it's important for credit unions and nonprofits to work together. Check out: Guests: Sharlene Wells - Mountain America CU, Senior Vice President of PR LinkedIn() Contact: [email protected] Michael Andrews - Operation Warm, Sr. Partnership Manager (Western Region) LinkedIn() Contact: [email protected] /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/24932733

Growing a Tru Community 10/03/2022

Growing a Tru Community What happens when a credit union partners with a nonprofit? In this episode, Rachel Caballero and Christos Chronis discuss their partnership and all the good they have done together in their respective communities. They dive deep into scholarships, internships, partnerships and how you can engage with your community. They also share why it's important for credit unions and nonprofits to work together. Guests: Rachel Caballero | Community Development Officer at - Contact: [email protected] Christos Chronis | Chief Philanthropy officer at - Contact: [email protected] /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/24548859

Building Home Run Partnerships 04/13/2022

Building Home Run Partnerships What happens when a credit union partners with a nonprofit? In this episode, Tom Berquist and Amy Hoyte discuss their 15+ year partnership and all the good they have done together in their respective communities. They also share success stories and tell us why it's important for credit unions and nonprofits to work together. Guests: Tom Berquist | EVP/Chief Marketing Officer at BECU Amy Hoyte | Executive Director at Rebuilding Together South Sound Learn more about BECU at Learn more about Rebuilding Together South Sound at /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/22774952

Potatoes! Potatoes! Potatoes! 01/12/2022

Potatoes! Potatoes! Potatoes! How many meals can you make with 2000 pounds of Potatoes? What can 64 credit unions do in one day when they work together? Listen as Benjamin Hering, and Julie Greene unpack CU Forward Day 2021. CU Forward Day is a day of giving that started with one credit union about a decade ago and quickly to dozens of credit unions across the state of Minnesota. /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/21425477

On A Mission To Thrive 12/15/2021

On A Mission To Thrive What happens when credit unions strive to help local nonprofits? How can credit unions build healthy relationships with nonprofits? Brittani Richards and Dan Wolfert explore these questions during this Imagine the Difference podcast episode. They also tell stories about their successful partnership and provide some insight into the benefits of co-branding with nonprofits in their community. /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/21425075

Planting Trees Today 09/01/2021

Planting Trees Today How can credit unions grow roots in their communities? In this episode, Tara Wachendorf and Zach Wahls of GreenState Credit Union talk about GreenStates’s support of over 900 charities and contributing over $2.2 million to local charities in 2020. Additionally GreenState plants a new tree for every new credit union member with help from their nonprofit partner, Trees Forever. GreenState makes helping their community a priority, and in turn, GreenState has seen more members give. /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/20276882

Buy the Boots: Building Empathy in Onboarding 06/16/2021

Buy the Boots: Building Empathy in Onboarding What happens when credit unions empower their team to live the “people helping people” philosophy from day one? How can nonprofit organizations grow through service partnerships with local businesses? In this episode, Pace Josey and Traci Herndon share valuable advice about weaving empathy into company culture. We discuss the long-term impact of personal connections on both nonprofit outreach efforts and credit union member relationships. /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/19504967

Supporting the Worst Tuba Player in the Band 05/26/2021

Supporting the Worst Tuba Player in the Band This week, we dive into community impact at the micro-local level. Funding the budget shortfalls for school sports and clubs is a pain point for many parents and students, and a barrier to participation for others. How can a credit union and booster club partnership foster sustainable programs, eliminate the need for door-to-door sales, and ensure equitable access to activities? /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/19253996

Maximize Impact on a Limited Budget 05/12/2021

Maximize Impact on a Limited Budget Tara Dimik, Chief Business Development Officer at Envista Credit Union, joins us this week to talk about maximizing community impact on any budget. /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/19078715

Stepping Up in Times of Need: Acting with Immediacy 05/05/2021

Stepping Up in Times of Need: Acting with Immediacy In October 2020, historic wildfires devastated communities across Colorado and Wyoming. The American Red Cross provided immediate aid to nearly 20,000 displaced residents in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Red Cross and Blue join us to talk about how their partnership brought critical relief in a rapidly developing emergency and how the credit union launched their second major matching campaign of 2020 in only five days. /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/18990638

Stepping Up in Times of Need: Significant Crisis Compels Significant Response 04/28/2021

Stepping Up in Times of Need: Significant Crisis Compels Significant Response This week, in the first of a two-part series, we examine how Blue Federal Credit Union in Cheyenne, Wyoming doubled their community impact in 2020… twice. /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/18902171

Becoming a Go-Giver 04/21/2021

Becoming a Go-Giver What is the secret formula to effective leadership? This episode, we explore leadership and engagement with our guests from SPIRE Credit Union in Minnesota. Give Back is a core action for SPIRE, and in 2020 they met their communities’ needs in a significant way, with the help of their entire team, through their ‘Gives Big’ campaign. /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/18814478

Preamble: At the Intersection of Credit Unions and Nonprofits 04/12/2021

Preamble: At the Intersection of Credit Unions and Nonprofits What is the Credit Union Difference? How is a credit union different from a bank? Hosts Noelle Bartlett and Patrick Martin have a short discussion with NetGiver co-founder and president, Eric Berg, about the unique history of credit unions, commitment to community, and the importance of nonprofit partnerships. /episode/index/show/imaginethedifference/id/18697799

Imagine the Difference

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