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GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Helping our members improve their financial lives is our passion, but it’s also important that we do our part to improve the community around us. It’s the core of the credit union difference – people helping people.

Because we want to create a better, more equitable world, we give back. We prioritize our financial giving to impact women’s financial wellness. We give thousands in scholarships . We provide our members measurable savings, including a patronage dividend, Cash Boomerang. We partner with other organizations and we put our award-winning financial education programs to work for members and the wider community so everyone benefits. We do this while taking actions to live and work green and inspire others, too.

At Summit, we take a holistic approach to giving. We believe a strong community makes all our lives richer, so we develop strong relationships with community partners, imagining what we can do together to make a difference. We focus on organizations that support the following initiatives:

  • FINANCIAL WELL-BEING
    Summit supports programs/organizations that provide access to financial education and create pathways to economic well-being.
  • WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
    Summit supports programs/organizations that foster leadership, provide access to education, and promote the economic wellbeing of women and girls.
  • ADVANCING EQUITY
    Summit supports programs/organizations that work to reduce inequities by helping ensure that all people have the resources to thrive.

We offer accessible, affordable financial services and unique products designed to improve the socio-economic well-being of all our members. For example, Summit has allocated $23 million for our Community Home Loans program that allows individuals with moderate incomes (no higher than 75% of HUD median income) and higher than usual debt to income ratios the opportunity and benefits of home ownership.


OUR CHARITABLE GIVING PARTNERS

Together with various organizations we’re working to make our communities grow stronger. In 2020, we donated to more than 160 nonprofits throughout our network, gave $24,000 in scholarships to 25 students for continuing education and provided financial education for the last five years to high school students in the Urban League of Greater Madison’s 21st Century Careers program. Summit hosts an annual employee giving campaign that supports United Way and Community Shares of Wisconsin.

Community Partnerships

Our partnerships may include financial donations, employee volunteering, financial education or other collaborations to meet community needs related to our key areas of focus – financial wellbeing, women’s empowerment and advancing equity.

Recent partnerships include:

  • Asset Builders
  • Centro Hispano, Caminos Finance Program
  • CEOs of Tomorrow
  • Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness
  • Girl Scouts
  • Goodman Community Center
  • Latino Chamber of Commerce
Money Smarts Fund

Stronger families, stronger neighborhoods, stronger communities and financial success for everyone – for us, that’s what it’s all about. As a Summit member you support that mission every day, and when you donate to the Summit Money Smarts Fund you play an even bigger role by supporting outreach and education programs that foster financial wellness, empowerment and sustainability in the communities we serve.

The Summit Money Smarts Fund was established in 2015 through the Madison Community Foundation and has provided financial support to the following:

  • A Fund for Women
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Girls, Inc.
  • The Foundation for Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs – Girlz Biz Program

 


Financial Education And Outreach

Financial education is a core value at Summit, and we’ve made it a priority to create tangible initiatives that help put our members and the community on more solid ground. In 2022, we delivered 330 live, free financial education reaching more than 45,000 people.

 

Education Opportunities

Summit works with community organizations, schools and workplaces to provide financial education. In addition, our branch locations hold seminars on a variety of topics, including but not limited to: first time home buying, managing and building budgets, understanding credit, and protecting your identity. We also offer a number of live webinars throughout the year on financially empowering topics. Plus, anyone can access our complete library of online resources on goal setting, retirement planning, money management and so much more.

To inspire financial wellness among our members and the communities we serve, we offer several programs that build financial capacity and smart personal finance skills.

Financial Education Partnerships
  • Caminos Finance Program from Centro Hispano
  • Madison Metropolitan School District, including branches in LaFollette, Memorial, East and West High Schools
  • Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland Council
  • Common Wealth Development
  • Dane County and Dodge County Junior Achievement

If you’re interested in financial education for your classroom or organization, please download and complete the PDF Financial Education Request form then email it to [email protected].

 


Employee Support And Involvement

At Summit, we believe it’s important to be an active member of our community – after all, as a credit union, supporting our community is just part of who we are. One way we do that is by working with local groups that help people have a shot at a better life. We encourage our employees to volunteer with these groups and even pay for volunteer hours. We value diversity. And we live that commitment every day.

Volunteer Impact

In 2022, more than 150 Summit employees contributed 741 hours of volunteer time with a value of $22,193 impact for nonprofits in our communities, including:

  • 51 units of blood at three onsite blood drives, saving as many as 153 lives
  • 15+ different employee-led fundraisers, raising more than $12,764 for the United Way campaign – and pledging donations to reach a campaign total of over $67,000!
Employee Resource Groups

Although we describe these as “employee” groups, we hope the efforts of our staff will fuel a sense of inclusion and support that goes beyond our walls. The following groups are currently active at Summit:

SUMMIT PRIDE AND INCLUSION NETWORK (SPIN): SPIN is a resource for Summit employees to engage, collaborate, and celebrate the LGBTQ community. SPIN educates employees on LGBTQ issues and strives to help all employees understand how Summit creates and supports an inclusive workplace. And SPIN’s efforts go beyond our employees: The SPIN team is a common presence at local community and school LGTBQ events.

SUMMIT EMPLOYEE EMPOWERING DIVERSITY (SEED): SEED’s top priority is to create a platform where everyone can be heard regardless of their race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. SEED leverages the diverse experiences of Summit employees and members to create a sense of belonging and empowerment. And SEED plays a powerful role in creating leaders of tomorrow through professional development, cultural awareness and knowledge sharing.

SUMMIT SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPIONS (SSC): At Summit, running our business in a sustainable, earth-friendly way isn’t something that’s “nice” to do - it’s something that speaks to the very heart of our commitment to our members and our community. Our SSC group helps create well-being for all.

SUMMIT EMERGING PROFESSIONALS (SEP): SEP empowers early career and new-to-Summit employees by creating awareness, providing development opportunities and sharing resources for career growth. SEP is passionate about supporting Summit’s ability to build a diverse, engaged, and multi-generational workforce to continue to drive the credit union movement.

WOMEN INSPIRING SUCCESS AND EMPOWERMENT (WISE): The women’s ERG is an engaged network of Summit employees that support the full inclusion, development and strength of women – at work, within our families and in the community. The ERG educates employees on topics of gender equality and allyship to ensure we continue to build a workplace where everyone feels welcome. The group also connects to community efforts that focus on the advancement and support of women and girls.

SUMMIT WELLNESS (SWELL): This ERG champions holistic wellness practices for all employees. Group initiatives highlight aspects of financial, mental, physical, emotional, social, and occupational wellness. The group provides a space that allows employees to share best practices, engage in healthy competition and seeks to help all employees on their diverse wellness journeys.

 


Supporting Your Organization

We consider all opportunities to support local non-profit organizations, schools or even members in our communities who offer programs related to one of our key areas of focus – financial wellbeing, women’s empowerment and advancing equity. You can view organizations we’ve recently supported below.

Financial Wellbeing

ASSET BUILDERS OF AMERICA INC
CEOS OF TOMORROW
COMMON WEALTH DEVELOPMENT
OPERATION FRESH START
PROJECT HOME
SCORE
SIMPSON STREET FREE PRESS

Women's Empowerment

100+ WOMEN WHO CARE
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER MILWAUKEE
BUILDING BRAVE
DELTA SIGMA THETA
DOMESTIC ABUSE INTERVENTION SERVICES
GIRLS ON THE RUN OF SOUTH CENTRAL WI
GIRL SCOUTS BADGERLAND COUNCIL
GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER
MONONA GROVE GIRLS BASKEBALL BOOSTER INC
PROGRESS CENTER FOR BLACK WOMEN
RAPE CRISIS CENTER
WI WOMEN'S BUSINESS INITIATIVE CORP
WISCONSIN WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT
WOMEN AND GIRLS FUND OF WAUKESHA CO
WOMEN IN FOCUS
YWCA DANE COUNTY
YWCA ROCK COUNTY

Advancing Equity

365 MEDIA
ACCESS TO INDEPENDENCE INC
BARABOO RIVER EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPIES
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF DANE COUNTY
BRIARPATCH YOUTH SERVICES INC
CANOPY CENTER INC
CHARLES HAMILTON HOUSTON INSTITUTE
COMMUNITY SHARES OF WI
DISABILITY PRIDE MADISON
GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER
GSAFE
KUJICHAGULIA MADISON CENTER FOR SELF DETERMINATION
MADISON AREA DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY
MADISON AREA URBAN MINISTRY
MADISON STARLINGS VOLLEYBALL CLUB INC
MIRACLE LEAGUE
MLK JR COALITION
MOSES
NAACP OF DANE COUNTY
NUESTRO MUNDO INC
ONE CITY EARLY LEARNING CENTERS INC
ORGULLO LANTINX LGBT
OUTREACH INC
RIVER FOOD PANTRY
STATE OF WI MLK TRIBUTE
SUNSHINE PLACE
UW FOUNDATION-ODYSSEY PROJECT
VERA COURT NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER INC
WISCONSIN EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION
WISCONSIN HMONG ASSOCIATION
YWCA DANE COUNTY

Other

AGRACE HOSPICECARE FOUNDATION INC
ATTIC ANGEL ASSOCIATION
AUTISM SOCIETY OF SOUTH CENTRAL WI
BARABOO PUBLIC ART ASSOCIATION
BRIARPATCH YOUTH SERVICES INC
CHILDREN'S THEATER OF MADISON
COLLABORATION FOR GOOD INC
FAMILY SERVICE MADISON
FOUNDATION FOR MADISON'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS
FREEDOM SWIM OF WISCONSIN LLC
FRIENDS OF MONONA PUBLIC LIBRARY
GREATER MADISON JAZZ CONSORTIUM
HOMETOWN USA VETERANS MEMORIAL PROJECT
KETCHUMS GOT YOUR SIX INC
MADISON COLLEGE
MADISON READING PROJECT
MARCH OF DIMES
OCONOMOWOC PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION
OPTIMIST CLUB OF COTTAGE GROVE
PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS OF WI
REAP FOOD GROUP
SAFE COMMUNITY COALITION OF MADISON
SPARTAN YOUTH SERVICE
SUN PRAIRIE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
UNITED WAY OF DANE COUNTY
UNITED WAY OF GREATER MILWAUKEE & WAUKESHA
WISCONSIN HISTORICAL FOUNDATION INC
WORT
YMCA AT PABST FARMS

 



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