League Announces Social Responsibility Award Winners

August 24, 2021 |

The Community CU team poses for a photo with their awards.

The judging is complete, the results are in, and the League is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s social responsibility awards competition. Five credit unions were recognized at the League’s Annual Convention for their community service, member education, and financial literacy initiatives. Several credit unions won in multiple award categories.

“These credit unions embody the spirit of People Helping People in the work they do every day,” said Tim Brooks, League Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Communications. “I am pleased we can honor them with these awards. It is important to recognize their achievements and the contributions they make to improve the financial lives of their members.”

All first-place finishers will have their award applications reviewed by CUNA for consideration in their national awards program. CUNA will be announcing national winners later this year.

Winners by Category and Asset Size

Desjardins Adult Financial Education Awards ($50 – $250 million in assets)

  • 1st Place: Community CU

Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award ($50 – $250 million in assets)

  • 1st Place: Community CU
  • 2nd Place: Gardiner FCU
  • Honorable Mention: Central Maine FCU

Dora Maxwell ($50 – $250 million in assets)

  • 1st Place: Community CU
  • 2nd Place: Maine Family FCU

Louise Herring  ($50 – $250 million in assets)

  • 1st Place: Community CU
  • 2nd Place: Central Maine FCU

Louise Herring ($250 million – $1 billion in assets)

  • 1st Place: Five County CU
  • 2nd Place: Dirigo FCU

Summary of Award Categories

  • The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award is given to a credit union or chapter for its social responsibility projects within the community. The award is given for external activities. Credit unions could receive the award for involvement in almost any kind of activity that helps other people or strengthens the structure of a community. This may include raising funds for charity, educational activities, or community involvement projects, such as a volunteer fair, building low-income housing, or loaning employees a few hours a week to work in hospitals, retirement homes, schools, etc.
  • The Desjardins Award recognizes leadership within the credit union movement on behalf of financial literacy for all ages.  The recognition program considers all activities supporting the personal finance education of members and non-members, including, but not limited to, face-to-face teaching using proprietary materials and curricula, such as the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program, as well as financial literacy leadership efforts.
  • The Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award is given to a credit union for its practical application of credit union philosophy within the actual operation of the credit union. It is awarded for internal programs and services that benefit membership. Credit unions could receive the award for programs or policies that demonstrate their commitment to the practical application of the People Helping People.

Maine Family FCU accepts their award from League President/CEO Todd Mason.

The team from Five County CU stops for a photo after accepting their award.

Dirigo FCU celebrates their award-winning entry.