MSGCU Celebrates a Year of Giving Back Initiatives

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – January 6, 2022 – As we reflect on all there is to be grateful for from the past year, Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union (MSGCU) is pleased to share 2021 achievements and positive impacts made for members and community.

Dedication to community giving and volunteerism.

Nearly a quarter million dollars was donated through MSGCU’s 2021 community giving efforts, including their scholarship and Classroom Cash Grants programs. Team members also volunteered more than 3,500 hours.

Giving back to the communities MSGCU serves is one way they demonstrate their dedication to the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people.’ Yearly, MSGCU selects a deserving organization near each branch office to receive $1,000 as part of their Giving Back initiative, totaling $17,000 this year.

In addition, MSGCU supported the Children’s Miracle Network, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, American Lung Association, and Elite Detection K9 as part of an annual MSGCU team member service event. The credit union’s team members participated in team walks, volunteered their time to make blankets for the organization Fleece and Thank You, and wrapped holiday gifts for Bottomless Toy Chest.

In response to the recent and devastating tragedy experienced at Oxford High School, MSGCU provided $21,000 in financial support to help the community navigate through this unexpected event. A donation was made directly to Oxford High School for students and faculty impacted by the trauma for counseling care. The credit union also made contributions to Mission Oakland, Oxford Village Police Department, and Oxford Fire Department to assist with the departments’ medical expenses, counseling, and trainings, plus the purchase of emergency and first aid supplies. In honor of the individuals who lost their lives, MSGCU will provide two $2,500 scholarships for the senior graduating class of 2022. If you’d like to assist with Oxford Community initiatives, please visit oxfordstrongcommunity.org.

Supporting students and educators.

As a credit union rooted in education, MSGCU has an extensive scholarship and grant program benefiting local students and teachers. MSGCU is proud to have given nearly $150,000 to fuel education and career goals in 2021. Since the inception of these programs, MSGCU has given an amount exceeding $1.5 million, furthering close to 500 educational journeys for local students and funding more than 1,000 innovative classroom projects for local educators.

Scholarships were offered to students heading to college or a skilled trades school, teachers continuing their education, and to first responders. In 2021, more than $100,000 in scholarships benefitted 45 admirable individuals. The 2022 scholarship application process began on January 5 at msgcuscholarships.org.

To celebrate scholarship recipients, MSGCU provided a personalized celebration for each honoree. The celebration consisted of visits to each recipient’s home with MSGCU branded gifts and a special video celebrating each recipient.

MSGCU’s annual Classroom Cash Grants program inspired the public to cast more than 114,000 votes this year, resulting in MSGCU funding upwards of $45,000 in grants to 63 teachers from 46 metro Detroit schools. The grants fund innovative projects that help spark imagination and passion in the classroom, such as interactive technology, classroom libraries, and sensory development.

Expansion of financial education options.

Financial education is just one way MSGCU champions its members and their goals. In addition to the credit union’s in-person and virtual workshops, school and community presentations, and financial counselors, MSGCU launched interactive financial education and a blog, both offering 24/7 on-demand financial education. Interactive financial education allows members to take quick lessons or a full playlist at their leisure on a variety of financial topics, while the blog allows readers to learn in a different way with helpful articles authored by the credit union. MSGCU is proud to offer many financial education options, catering to different learning styles.

Recognition for member service programs.

With a mission of promoting financial success, MSGCU is committed to giving back through financial literacy and programs. This year, the credit union was humbled to receive statewide recognition by CUNA, earning first place in the Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Award for their 2021 scholarship celebration and program; second place for the Youth Desjardins Financial Education Award for their digital workshops and Reality Fairs; and honorable mentions for MSGCU’s Give the Gift or Local Grant Giveaway and providing financial education to support community non-profit organizations.

In addition, MSGCU was honored to receive the Innovation Award from the Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL) and the Michigan Credit Union Foundation (MCUF) 2021 Credit Union Difference in a Crisis Award. These awards recognize MSGCU’s work in supporting their members, team members, and the community during the pandemic.

Two new branch offices in one year.

MSGCU opened the doors to its newest branch offices, Macomb Township in January, and Bloomfield Township in August. The credit union is thrilled to offer these two convenient locations and expand their presence in both Macomb and Oakland Counties. Both branches provide convenient day-to-day financial transactions and full-service banking accommodations such as loans and mortgages with market-leading rates. The branch offices also feature drive-thru services and 24/7 drive-up ATMs.

A refreshed look.

MSGCU refreshed their logo to showcase their commitment to positive growth and advancement. The updated logo and phrase, financial champion, is an expression of the credit union’s dedication to championing members toward meeting their financial goals.

“While much is changing in our world,” says MSGCU President/CEO Peter Gates, “there is one thing at MSGCU that will always remain constant: our dedication to members and the ‘people helping people’ philosophy. We continue to be grateful for the opportunity to be a financial champion to members, give back to the community, and support students and educators.”

As the credit union reflects on the past year, they also want to express gratitude and thanks to community members and organizations for persevering within the communities they serve. In yet another unprecedented year, MSGCU continues to be amazed with the service of first responders by keeping the public healthy, often putting themselves at risk. And again, educators pivoted and adjusted with guidelines changing constantly for student and teacher safety due to the ongoing pandemic. MSGCU is grateful for their commitment and strength.

MSGCU looks forward to all to come in 2022, including the introduction of more services to make it even easier to work with MSGCU, such as convenient scheduling options when visiting a branch office. Learn more at msgcu.org.

About Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union

Founded by a small group of educators, MSGCU has been providing quality financial services to the community for more than 66 years and welcomes everyone in Michigan to bank with them. MSGCU offers a full range of loan, deposit, checking, credit card, mortgage, and insurance products for those that live in Michigan. With 17 branch offices in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties, MSGCU has more than 135,000 members, $3 billion in assets, and has earned a 96% member satisfaction rating for two decades. MSGCU has also earned five stars, as reported by Bauer Financial, for more than 30 years, and has been honored as a Top Workplace by The Detroit Free Press for the past nine consecutive years. MSGCU is insured by NCUA and an equal housing lender.