Last month, we started a new series. It’s our goal to use this series to call out financial institutions that are going above and beyond to help their customers and their community. We talked about Idaho Central Credit Union in November, and now we want to highlight another organization doing impressive work.

Meet REV Federal Credit Union and their giveback initiative, the #UpTheGood Foundation. This Charleston, South Carolina-based credit union has a mission of Banking with a Purpose. And with its foundation and team volunteerism, REV puts its literal money where its mouth is. 

#UppingTheGood

With its #UpTheGood Foundation, REV has a dedicated source of funding that it uses to power positive change in its community. Through this Foundation, the REV team provides financial support to charitable organizations in Charleston and the surrounding area. #UpTheGood distributes REV Cares donations to nonprofits on a monthly basis. 

In May, for example, REV Cares cut a $3,000 check to Increasing H.O.P.E (Helping Others Prosper Economically), a financial literacy non-profit based in South Carolina. In July, REV supported Neighbors Together for its annual Back to School Block Party. At the event, upwards of 300 local kids got backpacks, school supplies, and new shoes to help them start the coming school year strong. Over the holiday season, REV partnered with Lowcountry Local First by sponsoring a Buy Local Season campaign. 

501(C)(3) organizations in the area who could use a financial boost can apply to be the recipient of a REV Cares donation of up to $5,000. (Applicants can’t be individuals or faith-based or political organizations.) 

Through #UpTheGood, REV Federal Credit Union has created a direct line its community can tap to get the support it needs. To date, it has donated more than $190,000 to 33 nonprofit organizations making a positive difference in the communities that REV serves. 

But the REV impact extends beyond dollars. Its team is also committed to getting their hands dirty. 

REV’s community service 

If you’re in Charleston or the surrounding area, you might see a group of people in gold t-shirts hard at work. If you look closely, you’ll see #UpTheGood on the front and the REV logo on the back of those shirts. You’ve spotted a group of REV team members living out the credit union’s mission. 

In 2022, REV employees amassed more than 3,450 hours of community service. 

In 2023, the third annual REV Day for Good gathered up the REV team of more than 250 employees for a whole day committed to volunteerism. The team split their efforts across 23 service projects, dedicating more than 1,300 hours to making a difference.   

The giveback doesn’t stop after the day of service, either. As Paul McManus, Director of Organizational Development at REV, explains, “For us to continue volunteering after this one particular day speaks to REV’s commitment to community.”

Throughout the year, some of the REV team’s favorite causes to support include:

• American Red Cross blood drives
• Dorchester Paws service days
• East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) Fresh and Free Farmer’s Market
• Soldier’s Angels Food Assistance events
• The RiverDogs, the local minor league baseball team

In fact, REV is the official credit union and volunteerism partner for the RiverDogs. As Jason Lee, REV President and CEO, said, “The RiverDogs and REV share the same dedication and passion to making Charleston a great place to live, work, and play. Together, we’ve been able to elevate our community impact in action through our shared values.” 

REV’s efforts to help its community doesn’t stop there. The credit union has also allocated time and resources to create an educational library to help its customers manage their money. 

Providing free education

Through #adulting, its resource library, REV Federal Credit Union offers interactive modules to teach people the ins and outs of various financial concepts. You might think that people would need to pay for this education — or at least prove that they’re a REV customer first. Actually, though, these courses are available to anyone who accesses REV’s website.

The #adulting learning catalog includes learning modules on:

• Car shopping and auto loans 
• Checking and budgeting 
• Credit cards and credit scores
• Home buying and mortgages
• Fraud and identity theft

Each of the courses is designed to use language anyone can understand rather than banking jargon. Through #adulting, anyone can get a better handle on key financial decisions that can have a big impact on their life. 

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We’re excited to see more financial institutions committing themselves and their team to making a positive difference in their communities. REV and it’s #UpTheGood Foundation is a perfect example to follow for any company considering creating their own giveback-focused initiative. 

If you want to help your lending institution do more for your community but time is an issue, we can help. With our BankingBridge tools, we can move more work off your team’s desk. To learn more, book a demo today.