Guidelines for Sponsorship & Donation Requests

At State Employees Credit Union (State ECU), we are committed to supporting charitable organizations that align with our mission of promoting the well-being and prosperity of the communities we serve. Our charitable giving is focused on making a positive impact in key areas, and we invite eligible organizations to apply for support in the following areas of focus:

1. Food Distribution & Insecurity: We prioritize organizations and initiatives that provide sustainable solutions to hunger, promote access to nutritious food, and support food-related programs addressing food insecurity in our communities.
   
   
2. Work Readiness Programs: We support initiatives fostering work readiness; programs that strengthen small business, centers promoting education/career development and strategies that reinforce the overall economic development of our communities.
   
   
3. Family and Youth Programs: We value the well-being of families and the development of youth. We support programs that enhance family life, provide resources for parents, and offer educational and recreational opportunities for our younger community Members. Priority will be given to initiatives that demonstrate a lasting and positive impact on the lives of families and youth throughout our communities.
   
   
4. Arts and Culture: We believe in the enrichment of communities through arts and cultural programs. Organizations that contribute to the cultural vibrancy of our communities, fostering creativity, diversity, and access to the arts for all align with our values. Priority is given to projects that promote inclusivity, community engagement, and cultural impact that is uniquely New Mexico.
   
   
5. Financial Education: We are dedicated to empowering individuals and families through financial education. We support organizations and programs that provide accessible and effective financial literacy education, helping individuals make informed decisions, build financial resilience, and achieve their financial goals.

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Application Process

• Charitable organizations seeking support from State ECU are invited to submit a formal Sponsorship/Donation Request Form to include:
  • Clear alignment with one or more of the focus areas mentioned above. 
  • A detailed description of the organization's mission, programs, and impact. 
  • Information on how the funds will be utilized and the expected outcomes. 
  • Evidence of nonprofit status and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
  • Any additional supporting materials that showcase the organization's effectiveness and transparency.
  •  Required fields must be completed in ordered to be considered

Donation Request Form

Evaluation Criteria

• Applications will be evaluated based on the alignment with State ECU's mission and philanthropic focus areas, the organization's track record, transparency, and the anticipated impact of the proposed initiative.
• Funds are available on a first come-first served basis, and once we have allocated our budget for the annual giving period, requests will be added to a tracker for consideration in the next calendar year.

Decisioning Guidelines

• A minimum of 60 days from the date of application receipt to event deadline is best practice
• Applications are prioritized by causes impacting organizations or multiple people/organizations vs. individual requests for support
• Requests from religious organizations for sectarian purposes may not be eligible; however, a community program sponsored by a religious organization will be considered (e.g., food pantry).
• Requests that solicit financial support for individuals, political candidates, and political campaigns may not be eligible
• Sports programs requesting funds should be tied to a school
• Separate requests from the same organization might not be granted funding – efforts are made to identify community partners. For these partnerships, we’ll budget for various events or programs to support for the year and strive to pay once.
• We reserve the right to approve contributions that may fall outside of these initial guidelines

Review Process for Requests

• Applications are reviewed weekly when schedules allow
• Upon decisioning of the request, outcomes will be notified accordingly by the Community Department to the organization’s primary contact and/or employee sponsoring the request 

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State Employees Credit Union is committed to making a meaningful difference in our communities, and we look forward to partnering with organizations that share our dedication to positive social impact and community well-being.