People Helping People The Gulf Winds Cares Foundation by Morgan Cole
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N MANY WAYS, credit unions are much like regular banks. They offer a multitude of financial products and services you’d expect to find at a traditional bank, but there’s one characteristic that really sets them apart – the people who profit. Credit unions are not-forprofit, and each of its members are also owners. Consequently, it’s the members, not bank executives or stockholders, who reap the benefits of a credit union’s investments. Those benefits can most clearly be seen in credit unions’ lower loan rates and overall lower fees. But the real credit union difference isn’t limited to just monetary savings and financial services. Most credit unions give back to local communities and charities in a variety of creative and generous ways. Some work to promote economic and social justice through outreach to lowincome, rural and at-risk populations, while others provide free financial literacy services to adults and children. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many ways in which Gulf Winds Credit Union is dedicated to making an impact in the communities in which it serves. Gulf Winds believes in the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” and the value of being an active part of the communities where its members and team members live, work, worship and attend school. They put this belief into action through annual donations, sponsorships and volunteer hours to support the local communities they serve.
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“Gulf Winds is serious about local philanthropy and we want to do our part to create a better community for our members, team members, neighbors, families and friends that live right here,” Gulf Winds Credit Union Public Relations Specialist, Frank Giammaria said. In the last decade, Gulf Winds has given back more than $1.5 million to support local charities and communities throughout its service areas. Gulf Wind’s philanthropic activity in Pensacola alone is more than phenomenal. True to their holistic approach to community success, they make sure to award donations in all three regions they serve throughout Pensacola, Tallahassee and South Alabama.
was able to get back on its feet, Gulf Winds went above and beyond and contributed a $125,000 gift to their annual campaign for a new warehouse. “The generous support from organizations like Gulf Winds allows us to better help those in need,” Manna Executive Director, DeDe Flounlacker said. In 2020 alone, Gulf Winds provided donations to support core programming initiatives for more than 40 non-profit organizations. Some of the past projects have funded and supported organizations like Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Junior Achievement and many more.
“Gulf Winds is serious about local philanthropy and we want to do our part to create a better community for our members, team members, neighbors, families and friends that live right here.” They don’t just donate to one charity each year and call it day; contributions to these organizations range from $1,500 to $125,000 gifts for capital campaigns. When Manna Food Pantries’ building flooded five years ago, Gulf Winds quickly reached out and provided them with trailers to work out of so they could continue to feed the community without interruption. Once the organization
This year, Gulf Winds kicked-off their philanthropic efforts with a new giving strategy in order to create a more sustainable funding source for future giving efforts. In January 2021, the Credit Union’s board of trustees and leadership team established the Gulf Winds Cares Foundation to formalize and manage the Credit Union’s annual giving and philanthropy efforts as a non-profit
