All Diamond Award winners in this category are listed below.
Category’s Best winners—marked with a 💎—earned the highest score within their asset grouping.
Assets $250 million – $1 billion | Amarillo, TX
During the delivery period, the Foundation’s Facebook Page experienced a remarkable surge in organic activity, including a 258% increase in engagement rate, rising from 4.62% to 16.53%. Post engagements grew by 592% (52 to 360), and post views increased by 208% (1,541 to 4,752).
Beyond social media, earned media coverage amplified our reach even further, with a live mention on News Channel 10 on October 28th and a featured segment on KAMR Local 4 News’ Education Connection podcast highlighting the program’s impact.
Together, these outcomes showcase the strength, heart, and resonance of the Pocket Change Grant stories and the educators who inspire the next generation.
Assets greater than $1 billion | Broomfield, CO
Our Holiday Lighting activation proved that creativity can outshine sponsorship. By turning a passive presence into an immersive experience—led by Freddy the Yeti and a spirited employee street team—we transformed Elevations into a highlight of Fort Collins’ most iconic tradition. The yeti footprints, festive giveaways, and nostalgic charm drew thousands from the square to our branch, creating authentic engagement and press buzz.
The key takeaway? When you lean into storytelling and community culture, even simple tactics become powerful brand builders. This campaign exceeded expectations by amplifying awareness, deepening local connections, and proving that disruption done right can make a lasting impact.
Assets less than $250 million | Hermitage, PA
In October, we participated in our CU State League’s CUKind initiative to spread kindness to thousands of people throughout the community. Through a coordinated mix of events, donations, volunteerism, and targeted promotions, kindness was demonstrated by board members, staff, and members alike, bringing the “People Helping People” philosophy to life.
Our goal was to enhance this year’s efforts by increasing awareness and hosting events that celebrate our community. Increased advertising and planning of five events throughout October resulted in higher attendance, stronger engagement, and more meaningful community outcomes.
We are especially proud of the collective impact achieved through volunteer efforts, donations of nearly one thousand pounds of food, and $2,100 in monetary contributions to 21 local nonprofit organizations. This year’s initiative was a huge success, proving that authentic engagement drives lasting value in communities.
We look forward to many more opportunities to celebrate our members and positively impact our community.
Assets greater than $1 billion | Birmingham, AL
This campaign demonstrates the power of aligning a signature event with community values to create high engagement and raise substantial funds for local causes. By focusing on the Annual Charity Sporting Clays tournament, we found a unique way to connect with our rural Alabama membership and turn participation into lasting support for our Community First Initiative.
The event not only exceeded goals by raising over $45,000 but also attracted 100+ participants and numerous returning sponsors, reflecting strong community loyalty. Using a mix of targeted outreach—such as direct mail, in-branch advertising, and social media—helped us reach both new and existing audiences.
This experience reinforced the importance of authentic, locally relevant campaigns and showed that meaningful, well-executed events can significantly amplify brand perception and community impact.
Assets $250 million – $1 billion | Littleton, CO
This ongoing event demonstrates the power of meaningful community partnerships paired with creative, intentional marketing. Our original goal was to engage at least 30 Girl Scouts in hands-on financial education, and by using a strategic blend of social outreach, interactive events tools, and a new host location, we more than exceeded that objective. Hosting the annual Junior Financial Counselor Patch workshop at Colorado Credit Union headquarters attracted more than 50 attendees and diversified access to in-person learning beyond the previous year’s event.
A takeaway benefit of attending this year's workshop was that all participating Girl Scouts were eligible for a savings match when opening a savings account with Colorado Credit Union. Additional benefits included access to trusted financial education resources for Girl Scout families. We learned that the inclusion of our interactive Reality Fair experiences resonates strongly with youth and generates enthusiasm that traditional materials alone cannot achieve.
Assets greater than $1 billion | Appleton, WI
Bike to the Beat is where community, music, and purpose come together. Since 2016, this event has grown into a cornerstone of Fox Communities’ engagement strategy, attracting thousands of riders annually and raising over $568,000 for the Fox Cares Foundation.
Our key takeaway? Experiences matter. By creating a free, family-friendly event that blends biking, live music, and local food, we’ve built lasting relationships without aggressive promotion. In 2025, we introduced a VIP experience for members, reinforcing loyalty and sparking interest among non-members.
The event’s success proves that authentic, experience-driven marketing can outperform traditional tactics—strengthening brand visibility, driving engagement, and delivering measurable community impact. Bike to the Beat isn’t just a ride; it’s a movement that reflects our mission: people helping people.
Assets greater than $1 billion | Bannockburn, IL
The Great Lakes Credit Union Give Back event was born out of a desire to not just give back to our communities but to specifically give back to our members. By opening up an opportunity for our members to have some extra spending money for their holidays, we discovered how much of a need that our members had for extra money at this time. By supporting the spirit of the holidays to give more than to receive, we were able to make their holidays a little brighter.
Assets greater than $1 billion | Lakeland, FL
Gift of Reading proves that sustained community investment delivers the greatest impact. By showing up consistently in classrooms year after year, MIDFLORIDA has built a program that is trusted, scalable, and deeply meaningful to the communities it serves.
The key takeaway is that long-term commitment matters more than one-time moments. This initiative exceeded its goals by reaching tens of thousands of students annually while strengthening employee engagement and brand trust statewide. It demonstrates how an ongoing event can serve as both a powerful community resource and a defining element of a credit union’s identity.
Assets greater than $1 billion | Tigard, OR
The third annual El Festival de Mariachi showed how powerful authentic cultural engagement can be when it becomes a core part of a credit union’s community strategy.
The 2024 event reinforced that joyful, shared experiences create deeper trust and visibility than traditional marketing alone. By expanding an annual celebration that honors Hispanic Heritage Month, Unitus strengthened relationships with Hispanic and Latino community members and supported local performers, small businesses, and cultural groups.
We learned that consistency matters and that investing in an event year after year builds credibility, recognition, and genuine connection. The festival exceeded expectations once again by drawing a growing audience, enhancing community pride, and solidifying Unitus as a committed partner who celebrates culture alongside the people we serve.
