UW Credit Union Donates $150,000 to United Ways Community Relief Efforts

Madison, WI – March 20, 2020 – As communities across the country face unprecedented challenges in response to the global COVID-19 crisis, UW Credit Union announced today that it will donate $150,000 to support the relief efforts of the United Way of Dane County and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.

The two United Way chapters coordinated a comprehensive response team with local nonprofits to alleviate suffering and address immediate pandemic needs. For example, Dane County United Way leaders have determined where dollars will make the greatest local impact, including:

• Food and meals for older adults and children
• Eviction prevention
• Homelessness prevention
• Flexible dollars to respond to other crises that people and nonprofits experience

“We have witnessed the sacrifices that people are making – medical staff treating infected patients, grocery store clerks working round the clock, families canceling events and distancing themselves from loved ones,” said United Way Dane County President & CEO Renee Moe. “With many businesses shuttered, incomes halting and schools and childcare in limbo, there is a critical increase in food and housing uncertainty. We want to do our part to lessen the human and economic hurt. We’re grateful to like-minded partners like UW Credit Union that are immediately willing to lend a hand.”

UW Credit Union is among the hundreds of area organizations and corporations intensely working to keep their employees and customers safe. In addition to extra cleaning and sanitizing, the company suspended lobby service at all branch locations on March 14. Drive-ups are still available during normal business hours. For existing members who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, UW Credit Union is offering an emergency personal loan. The team also extended additional paid sick time to all employees.

UW Credit Union President & CEO Paul Kundert said, “In demanding times like these, we can move the fastest by leveraging the strong systems already in place. We know the United Way is ready to multiply the impact of the dollars we can give and move them to the areas and organizations with the greatest needs. That means everything right now. We’ve seen the value of coordination and stewardship provided by the United Way, and that makes us confident to say “yes” when we’re called to action. There is much to be done now. We’d encourage everyone, individuals and corporations, if you are able, please consider a special gift now. Our neighbors need us.”

UW Credit Union donated $100,000 to the United Way of Dane County COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery Fund. To make a gift, visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org/help4covid or text “help4covid” to 40403.

UW Credit Union donated $50,000 to the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County’s COVID-19 Urgent Needs Fund. To make a gift, visit www.unitedwaygmwc.org/Donate/COVID-19-Urgent-Needs-Fund.

To learn more about UW Credit Union’s pandemic response efforts, visit www.uwcu.org/campaigns/covid-19/  for the latest updates.

UW Credit Union is a growing, federally insured financial institution and a leading provider of a full range of financial services to University of Wisconsin communities. UW Credit Union's over 700 employees serve the financial needs of more than 270,000 members through world-class technology systems, and through a convenient network of 28 branch locations and over 100 ATMs. With assets exceeding $3.3 billion, UW Credit Union is ranked nationally among the leading credit unions. Founded 89 years ago by members of the University of Wisconsin community, UW Credit Union continues to operate as a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative with locations in the Madison, Milwaukee, Stevens Point, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Whitewater and La Crosse areas.