Alliant Credit Union Foundation Continues Financial Assistance for Worthy Causes

06/10/2011

(June, 2011) After donating approximately $200,000 to various charities and educational organizations during 2010, Alliant Credit Union Foundation is on course to contribute a similar amount this year, announced Foundation Vice President and Alliant Credit Union Chief Investment Officer Wayne Rosenwinkel. The 501c3 not-for-profit organization, which began operations in 2009, was established through a $4 million grant from Alliant Credit Union. Both the Foundation and credit union are based near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Foundation Chairman and credit union CEO David Mooney added, "The purpose of the foundation is to promote economic empowerment and self-sufficiency of people, especially in the communities where Alliant Credit Union members and employees live and work." Causes eligible for Foundation financial support include: 1) Those related to education with an emphasis on financial literacy; 2) Charities helping those in need of assistance; 3) Investment in community development projects and programs, especially those in underserved areas.

Hadley School for the Blind officials receive a grant from Alliant Credit Union Foundation to help fund the school's new Center for Entrepreneurship. Pictured left to right are: Foundation Directors Wayne Rosenwinkel and Dorothy Skube; Hadley School VP of Education & Training, George Abbott and President Charles Young; Foundation Chairman David Mooney and Director Rob Russell. Additional Foundation directors include Alliant Credit Union employees Mike Gard, Albert Obay and Michelle Smirnoff.

Beneficiaries of Foundation financial assistance for this year include Hadley School for the Blind, an international educator of visually impaired people. A large grant was awarded to help create Hadley's Center for Entrepreneurship, scheduled to open in late 2011. The Foundation also provided significant donations to Orphan Foundation of America, which helps former foster children become successful adults, Y-Me Breast Cancer Organization, which helps those affected by breast cancer and Prescott Elementary School in Chicago, by paying for school break reading books for all students...including books on managing money. In addition, the Foundation makes a large annual grant to Operation HOPE, a national organization that promotes financial literacy and economic opportunity among minorities and others.

Prescott students display school break reading books provided by Alliant Credit Union Foundation. Prescott receives Foundation grants for winter, spring and summer break books to increase knowledge, enhance reading skills and add to home libraries.

Other worthwhile charities receiving grants so far this year include:

• The Posse Foundation, which identifies youth leaders in low income areas and sends them in groups of ten to attend designated colleges around the country
• Friedman Place, which provides housing and support services to blind and visually impaired adults
• Operation North Pole, which organizes annual holiday season "North Pole Fantasy Flights" for seriously ill children
• The Los Angeles Chapter of Make a Wish Foundation, which provides special gifts and occasions for kids with life threatening conditions
• NADAP, a New York City based charity assisting employment related causes that benefit individuals, business and government
• Max Schewitz Foundation, which provides Screens for Teens, a free EKG testing program for high school students in the Chicago area. The procedure can detect hidden heart conditions that can be life threatening for student athletes and others
• Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to increasing awareness of autism, and donating time, energy, resources and financial support for those affected
• Mychal's Playground, a New Jersey non-profit dedicated to enhancing school learning environments through the funding and building of school playgrounds, and outdoor classrooms

Many of the Foundation’s beneficiaries are charities suggested by Alliant Credit Union employees, whose lives or family members have been affected by the causes being supported. In addition, the Foundation has a Matching Donations Program, which matches individual Alliant Credit Union employees’ charitable donations up to $200 per year.

"We look forward to making additional contributions and providing support to charitable organizations and other causes that help enhance the quality of life in communities we serve," Mooney added. For more information about Alliant Credit Union Foundation, visit: www.alliantcreditunionfoundation.org

© 2011 Alliant Credit Union. All Rights Reserved.