RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.–More than 200 credit unions participating in the CO-OP Miracle Match program during 2015 netted $4.3 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a 39% increase compared to the previous record set in 2014, CO-OP Financial Services is reporting.
The credit unions gathered $3.3 million in their 2015 Credit Unions for Kids fundraisers. To that total $1 million in matching funds was added through CO-OP Miracle Match, an amount CO-OP Financial Services donates annually on behalf of its client credit unions. In 2014, credit unions and CO-OP Miracle Match combined to raise $3.1 million.
“The sharp rise in fundraising totals is testimony once again to the vitality of the credit union industry’s commitment to people helping people, and to its charity of choice, CMN Hospitals,” said Stan Hollen, president/CEO of CO-OP. “It is particularly gratifying to note that nearly half of the fundraisers we matched in 2015 were new events – fundraisers that credit unions launched in their communities for the first time.”
CO-OP said the goal of Miracle Match is to encourage credit unions, chapters and leagues to sponsor their own local fundraising events to support CMN Hospitals serving their area.
Key facts and figures from the 2015 matching program released by CO-OP include:
- $4.3 million raised ($3.3 million by credit unions, $1 million via CO-OP Miracle Match)
- 227 fundraising events matched
- 105 “new event” fundraisers, 46% of the grand total of events matched
- More than 200 credit unions as participants
- 98 CMN Hospitals in 39 states as beneficiaries
Top individual fundraisers in 2015 included (all totals include CO-OP Miracle Match):
- A golf tournament by First Tech FCU in Mountain View, Calif., raised $760,000.
- A Roaring 20s Gala by the Northwest CU Association in Tigard, Ore., raised $238,738.
- The SacTown Ten-Mile Run hosted by California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues hosted by Diablo Valley FCU in Concord, Calif., raised $168,121.
- A fundraising walk by Orange County CU in Santa Ana, Calif. raised $139,495.
- A motorcycle ride/poker run/concert by Fibre Federal CU in Longview, Wash. raised $106,222.
In addition to CO-OP Miracle Match, an even $100,000 was raised for CMN Hospitals during CO-OP’s THINK 15 conference held in Colorado Springs last May. CO-OP is also planning to coordinate fundraising activities during the upcoming THINK 16 conference, taking place at the historic Hotel Del Coronado, in the San Diego area, May 3-6, 2016. Registration is $799 for credit union employees, who may register immediately at http://co-opthink.org.
Credit unions interested in applying for matching grants in 2016 under the Miracle Match by CO-OP program may do so by visiting www.co-opfs.org/miracle-match.