Credit Union Establishes $500,000 Endowment for Charities

Following the March 6, 2013,announcement that members of Enderby & District Credit Union (EDCU) voted in favour of merging with First West Credit Union, EDCUs board has announced it will establish a new $500,000 endowment to be housed within the First West Foundation. The endowment will support worthwhile community initiatives in the Enderby area. It will also be open to receiving donations from members and the community. Allocated solely from EDCUs retained earnings, the endowment will start distributing grants to charities in the Enderby region beginning in 2014. "As one of the EDCU boards final activities, we wanted to create a legacy for our communityone that could benefit the community for decades to come," says Quentin Bruns, board chair of EDCU. "So, we created the Enderby & District endowment. Its another way our local credit union can give back to the community in the years ahead." Seline Kutan, executive director of the First West Foundation shares, "Were delighted the EDCU board has chosen to create this substantial endowment. Ive seen firsthand the difference these endowments can make in a community over the years." Effective April 1, 2013, EDCU will be known as Enderby & District Financial, a division of First West Credit Union. Through First Wests unique partnership model, Enderby & District will retain its local brand, local leadership and community focus.�� Since its inception in 1996, the First West Foundation has proudly distributed more than $2.3 million in grants to charities. Its purpose is to support initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the communities it serves and to create capital for sustainable community support by encouraging philanthropy.