First Technology Federal Credit Union just wrapped up their annual Credit Unions for Kids Northwest Classic, and the results?
A whopping $1.65 million raised for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
But this isn’t your typical corporate charity golf outing where everyone shows up for the open bar and networking. This event brought together hundreds of people from 15 credit unions nationwide—employees, members, business leaders, you name it—all focused on one goal: supporting kids who need medical care.
Twenty-Six Years of Making a Difference
The CU4Kids Northwest Classic has been running for over two decades, and it’s grown into one of the biggest credit union fundraising events in the country. Think about that for a second: what started as a good idea has evolved into a genuine movement, consistently ranking among the top contributors to Children’s Miracle Network.
And get this—this year’s tournament happened to coincide with CU4Kids‘ 40th anniversary. That’s four decades of credit unions proving that financial institutions can actually have a heart.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Since CU4Kids launched, participating credit unions have collectively raised over $17 million. That’s not just a feel-good number to put in a press release—it’s real money funding pediatric cancer research, developing new treatments, and providing care to kids and families navigating some of the hardest times of their lives.
As Shruti Miyashiro, President and CEO of First Tech, put it: “At its heart, the credit union movement is about people helping people, and the Northwest Classic brings that purpose to life.” She’s not wrong. While big banks are busy being, well, big banks, credit unions are out here actually living their values.
What Makes This Different
Rob Stuart from OnPoint Community Credit Union nailed it when he said, “One of the things that makes the credit union movement so special is our willingness to come together in support of something bigger than ourselves.” In an industry that could easily be all about competition, these organizations are choosing cooperation instead.
Larry Ellifritz, President and CEO of Consolidated Community Credit Union, reminded everyone that “the impact of this event extends far beyond a single day on the golf course.” Every dollar represents hope for a family dealing with a sick child—which, let’s be honest, puts our everyday problems into perspective pretty quickly.
Where the Money Goes
This year’s fundraising will support some serious heavy-hitters in pediatric care:
- Seattle Children’s Hospital (Seattle, Washington)
- OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital (Portland, Oregon)
- PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital at Riverbend (Springfield, Oregon)
- UC Davis Children’s Hospital (Sacramento, California)
- UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital (Oakland, California)
- Children’s Hospital Colorado (Aurora, Colorado)
These hospitals are nationally recognized for their pediatric cancer research, innovative treatments, and exceptional patient care. They’re doing the work that matters.
It Takes a Village (or 150+ Organizations)
None of this happens without serious support. EvonSys stepped up as the presenting sponsor, and more than 150 organizations and credit union partners made it all possible, including:
- Columbia Credit Union
- Consolidated Community Credit Union
- EvonSys
- Fibre Federal Credit Union
- First Entertainment Credit Union
- Fiserv
- FourLeaf Federal Credit Union
- InRoads Credit Union
- iQ Credit Union
- OnPoint Community Credit Union
- Oregon State Credit Union
- Raymond James
- Red Canoe Credit Union
- Rivermark Community Credit Union
- SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
- Teachers Federal Credit Union
- Unitus Community Credit Union
- VyStar CU Foundation
The takeaway? When financial institutions remember they’re supposed to serve their communities—not just profit from them—pretty amazing things can happen. Here’s to another 26 years of proof that doing good and doing business don’t have to be mutually exclusive.