AUSTIN, TX (May 6, 2026) |
Amplify Credit Union, an Austin-based, fee-free, digital-first financial institution, is celebrating a record 2,588 volunteer hours in 2025 through its Community Care Hours program. The milestone marks the third consecutive year of growth in employee philanthropy across Central Texas and beyond, with participation increasing 20% over the past two years.
Rooted in the credit union’s cooperative principle of concern for community, the program provides paid time off for volunteer work. Full-time employees receive 40 hours each year and part-time employees receive 20, which may be used to support qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public charities and school districts across areas including education and job training, neighborhood revitalization, youth programs, health and human needs, civic improvement and the arts.
“There is no separation between how we serve our members and how we show up in our communities,” Angela Shaw, senior vice president of talent at Amplify, said. “Volunteerism is part of our culture, not an add-on. When employees are given the time and flexibility to support causes they care about, it strengthens their connection to each other, to our members and to the mission of the credit union. That sense of purpose carries into the work we do every day.”
Research from America’s Charities shows 75% of U.S. adults report feeling physically healthier after volunteering, while 93% report an improved mood and 79% report lower stress. Additional research from Health Action Alliance found companies offering volunteer time off see up to a 50% reduction in turnover and a 13% increase in productivity. At Amplify, employees who contribute 40 or more volunteer hours in a year, or serve on a nonprofit board, are recognized as Community Ambassadors. In 2025, the credit union recognized 24 employees, continuing strong participation in the program in recent years.
“Community Care Hours reflect how we think about the role of work in people’s lives,” Shaw said. “When employees have the opportunity to serve their communities, they feel more connected to the organization and to each other. That connection strengthens our culture, supports long-term growth and helps us stay true to the cooperative values we were founded on. Service is not separate from our business, it is part of how we operate every day.”
Through Community Care Hours, Amplify employees have supported organizations across Central Texas and beyond, including Caritas of Austin, Keep Austin Fed, Pioneer Farms, We Are Blood, Wonders & Worries, Saint Louise House and Girls Empowerment Network.
In 2026, Amplify is expanding the program from an hours-based benchmark to an engagement-based goal, encouraging every employee to volunteer at least one hour. The change is intended to increase participation and strengthen the credit union’s culture of service across the organization.
For more information about Amplify Credit Union and its Community Care Hours program, visit goamplify.com.