L-R: Holly Koeppel, CoVantage Vice President Southern Region; Tiffani Mallory, from Evergreen Community Initiatives; and Dawn Diestler, CoVantage Branch Manager presenting a check totaling $18,408.18 from the Giving Tuesday Fundraiser. (Contributed)

CoVantage Cares Foundation donates nearly $436K to local nonprofits

December 26, 2023

Metro Wire Staff

CoVantage Credit Union has announced the totals for this year’s fundraising of its charitable arm, the CoVantage Cares Foundation.

According to a news release from the credit union, the Foundation handed out $435,783 in checks to local nonprofit organizations this year. The fund consists of donations made by credit union members, staff, and community members who supported the Foundation’s 2023 Giving Tuesday, which ran from Nov. 28 to Dec. 12.

It’s the eighth year of giving for the organization, which has now raised a total of $2.7 million for area nonprofits.

This year, branch staff throughout the credit union’s locations were asked to select a nonprofit group in their respective communities to benefit from the funds. Contributions generated during the two-week fundraising campaign would be matched up to $175,000 by the CoVantage Cares Foundation.

“Thanks to the generosity of our members, employees, and community members we have been able to make an incredible impact with this campaign. We are humbled by the amazing level of support for each of these well-deserving nonprofit organizations,” said Charlie Zanayed, CoVantage CEO and CoVantage Cares Foundation board president.

Charities selected in 2023 include: Evergreen Community Initiatives (Stevens Point & Plover); Hmong American Center (Wausau, Rib Mountain, Weston, Rothschild); Community Benefit Tree (Appleton, Neenah, Menasha); Encompass Early Education & Care (Suamico & De Pere, Wis.); Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin (Shawano, Wis.); Abundant Life Mission (Menominee, Mich.); Antigo Community Food Pantry (Antigo, Wis); Elcho Area Community Food Pantry (Elcho, Wis.); Crandon Area Rescue Squad (Crandon, Wis.); Rhinelander Area Food Pantry (Rhinelander, Wis.); Friends of the Crystal Falls District Community Library (Crystal Falls, Mich.); Iron County Little League (Iron River, Mich.); and Lincoln-Way High School Foundation (New Lenox & Mokena, Ill.).

For more information about CoVantage Cares Foundation, or to obtain the grant application needed to request a donation, visit www.covantagecu.org/cares.