Southwest Credit Union Holds "Cornerstone Campaign"

More than $25,000 was raised for charitable credit union foundations through Southwest Corporate Federal Credit Union’s Cornerstone Campaign.

The campaign kicked off at Southwest Corporate’s Economic Forum in November, 2004. Newsletter articles, articles published in trade magazines, and direct mail pieces were used to promote the campaign. The Cornerstone Campaign concluded at the beginning of May. More than 250 credit unions and individuals purchased bricks. With the help of Brick & Stone Graphics in Dallas, the bricks were engraved with the names of supporters and were integrated into a landscaped courtyard area at Southwest Corporate’s new headquarters in Plano, Texas. “The campaign generated plenty of positive PR and interests beyond the fundraising,” said Terry Young, Director of Marketing for Southwest Corporate Federal Credit Union.

“The bricks will serve as a lasting reminder that our success is truly built upon the support of our member credit unions,” said Francis Lee, CEO of Southwest Corporate Federal Credit Union. “We are also please that the money raised during the campaign will be used to strengthen the credit union system through the efforts of credit union foundations.”

While most credit unions chose to have their names placed on the bricks, some took the opportunity to “memorialize” former credit unions that have disappeared because of mergers. And while some decided to keep the memory of former credit unions alive, others purchased bricks in the name of former credit union pioneers and leaders. “We are honored to keep these memories alive at Southwest Corporate,” Lee said.

Southwest Corporate’s Chairman Jesse Gutierrez presented Steve Delfin, Executive Director of the National Credit Union Foundation, with a check for $7500 during Southwest Corporate’s annual meeting last May. The remaining Cornerstone Campaign funds have been dispersed to various state credit union foundations in the months since.