Here’s something that doesn’t happen every day: your morning bank balance check could help save a kid’s life. No, really.
Children’s Miracle Network just announced a partnership with PayOnward and Digital Joy—both companies under the Black Dragon Capital umbrella—that’s about to transform how credit union members support their local children’s hospitals. Think of it as charity meeting convenience, right where people already spend time: their banking apps.
If you’ve ever wanted to donate but got distracted somewhere between good intentions and actually pulling out your wallet, this one’s for you.
Credit Unions and Children’s Hospitals: A Love Story
Credit unions have been crushing it for Children’s Miracle Network for decades, raising millions to fund everything from life-saving treatments and critical medical equipment to pediatric research and support services for families going through the unimaginable. They’ve always shown up for kids in their communities, and now they’re getting some serious tech upgrades to make that even easier.
“Credit unions have always demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of children in their communities,” said Kristen Schavemaker, Chief Partnerships Officer at Children’s Miracle Network. “By partnering with Black Dragon Capital and its portfolio companies, we’re making it easier than ever for members to support their local children’s hospital through secure, seamless giving experiences integrated directly into their everyday banking.”
Translation? Doing good just got a whole lot simpler.
How It Works
The new white-labeled platform from PayOnward and Digital Joy slides right into credit unions’ existing digital banking systems, creating multiple ways for members to chip in without jumping through hoops. Here’s what that looks like:
- Give@Login — Pop into your banking app to check your balance, and boom—there’s an option to donate to your local Children’s Miracle Network hospital in just a few clicks. It’s always there when you are, no extra apps or websites required.
- In-Person Giving — Spotted a QR code at your credit union branch, in the drive-through, or at a community event? Scan it, donate, done. Charitable giving in the time it takes to order coffee.
- Digital Joy Engage — This audience engagement platform takes things up a notch with interactive digital experiences designed to get more people involved and actually excited about giving back.
The whole setup is designed to be frictionless—a word we normally associate with shopping for stuff we don’t need, now applied to something that actually matters.
The People Behind the Tech
“We’re honored to partner with Children’s Miracle Network to help credit unions create meaningful moments of generosity every day,” said Louis Hernandez, Founder of Black Dragon Capital. “Our mission has always been to leverage innovative payment technologies to strengthen communities. By integrating charitable giving directly into trusted digital banking experiences, we’re enabling credit unions to support the children’s hospitals that care for families in the communities they serve.”
Hernandez isn’t just talking the talk here. For over 15 years, Black Dragon has worked with his foundation, For A Bright Future, supporting underserved communities through education, healthcare, leadership development, and the arts. Children’s Miracle Network has been a long-standing partner in that work, so this latest collaboration is less “new relationship” and more “taking things to the next level.”
Why This Matters
This partnership is part of Children’s Miracle Network’s bigger picture strategy: meet donors where they already are, make giving ridiculously easy, and get critical funding to local children’s hospitals that need it. Because at the end of the day, the less friction between someone’s good intentions and their actual donation, the more kids get help.
And honestly? In a world where we can order groceries, stream entertainment, and manage our entire financial lives from our phones, it’s about time charitable giving got the same treatment.