Making a Difference: The Journey of Charitable Giving

Jessica Quindlen: [00:00:00] Welcome back to the Sound Cents Podcast. I'm Jessica Quindlen. Today we're discussing charitable giving. I have with us today, Annie Snead, our Senior Manager of Community Advocacy. Hello, Annie.

Annie Snead: Hi, thanks for having us.

Jessica Quindlen: Of course. And Cat Outten, our Community Advocacy Specialist. Hi Cat.

Cat Outten: Hello.

Jessica Quindlen: All right. So, let's just get started, Annie. Can you define charitable giving? What exactly does it mean to you?

Annie Snead: Well, I think it really is at the core, a heart issue, right? It could be anything for anyone. So, for some, they have a lot of money that they're able to give away for others. It may be time for some. It may be a combination of both. And for some, it may be talent.

We have a lot of employees who are very skilled. in a lot of different ways and they love to use that talent out in the community as well. So, I think it's really whatever it is on your heart that can be what charitable giving is to you.

Jessica Quindlen: I love that. Can you elaborate on why it's important in today's world to include charitable giving in some way?

Annie Snead: Well, right now [00:01:00] there's all this focus right on corporate social responsibility in the world, and so for us at Ent Credit Union, we believe that doing good is good business.

We do business in all of these communities where we serve, and so we want those communities to thrive. And so, we've identified some focus areas as a credit union, including pediatric mental health, which we know is a huge issue for Coloradans. Education that's from the littles, right? At Pre-K all the way up to higher education institutions and community colleges. And then also community, which sounds like a big bucket, but it's everything from affordable housing, to homelessness initiatives, to fighting food insecurity. That's what we've identified here at Ent Credit Union and that's based on what we're seeing that Americans are facing and what our members are facing.

And so we want to be able to help them in whatever way we can. And that goes beyond just with their finances.

Jessica Quindlen: I love that. Cat, can you [00:02:00] discuss sort of the process that Ent goes through when we're narrowing down who we're looking to give and how we want to give and also those last-minute moments that come up for us?

Cat Outten: Yeah, for sure. And I kind of just want to touch on Annie's answer as well for your last question.

Jessica Quindlen: Yes, of course.

Cat Outten: And I know there's a huge light shining on social responsibility right now in today's world, but this is not something new that Ent is doing that just this year that we started.

Jessica Quindlen: Right. We're not responding.

Cat Outten: Exactly. We've been doing that for over 25 years. I am not sure if you're aware of our YES Grant process that gives grants specifically to programs that benefits kiddos. We’ve been doing that for over 25 years. So, this is not something new that we're doing because of the light shining on social responsibility. Anyways, so sorry. Back to your question.

Jessica Quindlen: No, I think that's very valid because I do think it's so much a part of that and I think a lot of companies get a lot of credit for it, but also sometimes there can be a light of, “Oh, we're just doing it for that.” And truly, Ent is not a part of that. And frankly, credit unions in general. We've always been doing this. We're not just now on [00:03:00] the bandwagon.

Annie Snead: Right. That's what I was going to say. All of us as credit unions are rooted in service. And like I said, that goes outside of the walls of our service centers. It's into the communities.

Jessica Quindlen: Right.

Annie Snead: Great point, Cat.

Cat Outten: Thank you. And to go back to your last question regarding the process, you know, we want to open that opportunity to all of our nonprofits here in Colorado. We have streamlined the process. We have a grant portal for any organization that has a tax status of 501c3.

They can go on our portal, submit an application. The application is very easy. We ask very simple questions. Why you should receive funding and how is this funding going to benefit the community that we all live in. And we have a beautiful committee with me and Annie, a couple of our senior leadership, Matt Gendron and Mollie Bell, and various employees here at Ent that are coming from different departments, different leadership positions.

And together as the committee, we review every single one of these [00:04:00] applications. And to give you some number perspective, we meet on a quarterly basis, and every quarter, we receive over 100 applications. And I don't know if you know about our budget, but our budget for the year is $2 million. So, you can see, we really take our time to review those applications, and we discuss among the committee to figure out how our funds are going to be allocated.

Jessica Quindlen: I love that. For our listeners out there, what are some ways that they can give that may be other than financial? I think financial is typically the one that's the easiest to find. It's the easiest ask out there. But what are ways that people can find volunteer opportunities or ways for them to donate? You know, where can they find that information?

Cat Outten: I mean, for our employees, we have our own internal internet, that lists of all our nonprofit partners, and me and Annie are always here to support. But for everybody else out there, for members, I think it's just finding out what your passion project is.

Are you passionate about food insecurity? You can just [00:05:00] Google that stuff, and it will give you a list of organizations that could use that volunteer help. So it's just really the matter of fact of people finding out what they're passionate about. And just the amount of involvement they want to have.

Annie Snead: And I'll just add to that as someone who came from the nonprofit world, many nonprofits rely on volunteers so you may view it as “Oh, what could I do? It's only an hour. It's only two hours of my time.” But that's huge for a nonprofit. I think the amount of volunteer hours It's now up to like $24 an hour is what it's worth. So, if you are not able to give financially, that's a great way to take an hour, take two hours of your day and give back. It's helping the nonprofit and it's helping whatever you're passionate about.

Jessica Quindlen: Right? You're almost giving financially in a different way. I love that. Can you share some of the personal benefits of charitable giving?

Annie Snead: I mean, I like to call it the helpers' high. [00:06:00] You feel so good. I mean, I think about how, when - I'll give a great example - we do a lot of work with Care & Share and with United Way in the events of packaging up food during food drives and delivering them to cars to families. And seeing the impact firsthand of here are these families who are lined up to receive food. And I walk away just with this renewed sense of purpose, a reminder of how well, how blessed I am.

And a reminder of how great of an organization is Ent to allow me to go do that during the day, because Cat does a great job managing our volunteer time off program. We're gifted eight hours a quarter to go out and into the communities we serve and to volunteer. And I think as an organization, why wouldn't I take advantage of that and help someone?

Cat Outten: And I think we always [00:07:00] try to go out and volunteer for different nonprofits. Just to kind of have a full understanding of the full picture, the food insecurity side, the homelessness side. And I think we need to be informed so we can express that to the rest of our employees and members.

Annie Snead: Yeah, and I'll just remind folks, if you're out and you see how great the need is, right? It can be overwhelming because we know that there are people struggling right now financially in ways that it's hard to understand. There are people struggling with mental health, whatever it is. But if even just doing a little bit, it's not a little bit. It's going a long way.

Jessica Quindlen: No, I agree. And I think it can be overwhelming, too. Like going back to the values, I think you can certainly find what you love, but even that can feel overwhelming cause there is all the humans, but then there's, you know, the animals, right?

Annie Snead: Like I love reading to kiddos and I love playing with puppies.

Jessica Quindlen: How do I figure out my time? And so, [00:08:00] you know, I think it's identifying those and maybe you switch it up. Maybe once a month you pick each one and kind of circle around. I mean, I know we do that. I feel like we kind of have our different focuses as an organization. Like it, it feels like at certain times of the year, just given whatever theme is happening or some kind of event.

Cat Outten: And I think there's a really bad perception of who you're helping, right? I think people are like, “Oh, the hospital doesn't need my help.” Like, going back to Annie's point. It's like, “Oh, what is the one hour of my time really going to make a difference? Do those people actually need my help? What am I really here for?”

I mean, using Springs Rescue as an example, I think a lot of people had a different perspective of what the homeless population and community really looks like. And people have this false sense of, “Oh, they're doing this because they did that to themselves.” But when you really stop, spend some time, volunteer at those shelters and listening to the stories of people who are there. I mean, those could be our [00:09:00] first responders. It could be our teachers that are in this type of situation. Like you just don't know.

So, I think that's why it's also so important for people to get out there, not just to help, but to be informed that those people are some people, somebody that can be close to you.

Jessica Quindlen: Absolutely. Yeah. I think don't make assumptions. Go to their website, look them up, Because I agree with you. I've been to some of these events and breakfasts and things, and you hear these stories and it's more than you even could have thought just by the title of the nonprofit or anything.

It really touches your heart how many people can be affected in these situations and how even some might align with your values. I recently saw a nonprofit that works with animals of domestic violence. And it was something I never thought of. Not to be very depressing, but when I think of domestic violence, I think of the spouse and children, but I don't think like, “Oh, right, there are pets involved.”

And what does that mean? And a lot of shelters don't allow pets. So then people are abandoning their pets. And it just kind of stirred up this whole thought for me and almost ignited a [00:10:00] passion I didn't realize I would have had to support these people who are needing to abandon their dogs for safety.

You know, it's just very interesting how those things can come up.

Annie Snead: Right? And that's a reminder again of when you think of our partners at TESSA who work with a lot of DV victims, it takes on average seven times to leave. And that is one of the barriers. I mean, finances are another barrier.

Your children are another barrier. And yes, some folks cannot leave their pet. So, there is an organization for every type of need. It's finding what you are personally passionate about and helping them.

Jessica Quindlen: Absolutely. And I think too, you can find almost, I don't want to say easy, but you can almost find easy ways.

And I think of our Member Perks program. So, this is an internal employee program where if you purchase at our coffee shop, a portion of the proceeds go to companies. And I think that happens so often when I'm at the coffee shop or Walgreens or some store. There are so often those roundup programs or change programs. And even those I'm assuming that you would know make a difference. [00:11:00] Even a dime here and there that adds up, right?

Annie Snead: Yes. I mean, our employees last quarter, just from purchasing a coffee cup at Members Perks instead of, you know, one of our coffee shops down the street raised $2,700 for Children's Hospital Colorado.

Jessica Quindlen: That's fantastic. And it's, quote, “easy fundraising.” Because you're just buying coffee you would have bought anyway, but it's sort of having that awareness of what you're doing.

Annie Snead: I didn't want to name any specific brands, Jess, because we love them, too.

Jessica Quindlen: Of course, yes, we love everyone. Everyone is welcome.

Cat Outten: Every coffee.

Jessica Quindlen: So may I ask, do you two have specific passions, personally? I'm more just curious.

Annie Snead: Oh, yeah. I mean, my friends joke with me all the time that I have too many favorite nonprofits. If you would believe that.

Jessica Quindlen: I mean, it is your job to exist in that world. So…

Annie Snead: But I love, I mean, anything with children. Reading to kiddos. Fostering Hope is another great organization that helps families [00:12:00] who are fostering kiddos. That's a need that we don't often think about, right? Here are these families who have chosen to foster a kiddo. They need support too. And so I think, yeah, anything with kids. And then of course I'm a huge Dolly Parton fan. So Dolly Parton's Imagination Library combines books and kiddos.

Jessica Quindlen: And Dolly! I love it. How about you, Cat?

Cat Outten: Well, for me, it's Urban Peak or The Place, those youth homeless shelters. It's a big passion of mine. I mean, I went through a similar experience when I was younger. And I did receive help from an organization like that. It's called YWCA in Pueblo West.

So. I think having gone through that, coming back, it's like a full circle now that I get to work with this organization that has helped me in the past. So it's pretty powerful.

Jessica Quindlen: I love that. That's fantastic. And I'm with you, Annie, too. Children, for sure, tug at my heartstrings very easily.

Well, is there anything [00:13:00] else either of you would like to add about charitable giving or Ent?

Cat Outten: I think I'm just blessed to work for an organization that does care so much. And this role has opened my eyes to so many different things and I think I'm just blessed to be here and do the work that I do and be able to be a part of the change and the difference.

Jessica Quindlen: How long have you been working with community advocacy?

Cat Outten: Well, it will be two years.

Jessica Quindlen: Two years.

Cat Outten: Two years in November.

Jessica Quindlen: Ooh! So soon! And how long have you been here, Annie? I know you have a much longer nonprofit background.

Annie Snead: Three and a half years.

Jessica Quindlen: Three and a half years. And then how long before that with other nonprofits?

Annie Snead: A little over four years. But I'll just say, I want to thank our members listening because this is, after all, our members money and we don't take that lightly. And when you bank with us, the money is not going to a bunch of shareholders at the top at the end of the year.

This is part of what we're able to [00:14:00] do as a credit union, as a community-chartered credit union and our commitment to give back. And so, we can't do that without our members, and we don't take that lightly. And our nonprofits that we support are extremely vetted. And I'll just add this to folks out there listening, if you ever want to, I encourage you to go vet the nonprofit that you're giving your money to.

You're giving your hard-earned time and money to something. You can look at their financials on their website and they should be transparent about that. So, I encourage everyone, look them up on GuideStar, look them up on Charity Navigator. Those are some great ways.

Jessica Quindlen: Great. And we'll share those links in our show notes. Well, that brings us to the end of our show. Annie, Cat, thanks so much for being here. It was great to have you.

Thank you for listening to Sound Cents from Ent Credit Union. Be sure to follow our podcast as well as rate and review us. I'm Jessica Quindlen. I will see you next week. Same time, same place.