MSUFCU’s Desk Drawer Fund receives 2023 SLBA Community Service Award
EAST LANSING, MI (June 2, 2023) — MSU Federal Credit Union’s (MSUFCU) charitable foundation, the Desk Drawer Fund, was recently recognized at the South Lansing Business Association (SLBA) Annual Awards Ceremony in the Community Service category.
Since 1986, the SLBA Annual Awards Ceremony has recognized organizations and individuals making a difference in the South Lansing community. The Desk Drawer Fund received the 2023 Community Service Award for its support of organizations in the South Lansing area and the Greater Lansing community, including the Lansing Art Gallery, Capital Area Housing Partnership, Impression 5 Science Center, and Lansing SAVE program.
The Foundation focuses on five philanthropic pillars: Arts and Culture, Empowering Youth, Financial Education, Fostering Entrepreneurism, and Stable Housing.
Arts and Culture
The Foundation promotes and helps strengthen theater and visual arts programs while supporting the customs, heritage, and artists that enhance creativity. The Desk Drawer Fund is proud to be a sponsor of the 2023 Lansing Art Gallery ArtPath, which places public art created by Michigan artists on the Lansing River Trail for the community to enjoy.
Empowering Youth
The Desk Drawer Fund partners with and supports organizations that listen, collaborate, and help remove barriers for youth to share their ideas to facilitate stronger communities and develop future leaders. Through the support of Impression 5 Science Center, the Foundation is helping support its mission to facilitate science exploration through hands-on exhibits and participatory programming.
Financial Education
Financial Education is a top priority of the Foundation and part of the mission of MSUFCU. Through this pillar, the Desk Drawer Fund engages and educates community members to take charge of their finances. The Foundation is proud to support Lansing SAVE, a children’s savings program in partnership with the City of Lansing, the Lansing School District, and MSUFCU. These accounts help students in the Lansing School District start saving for their future college or career training experiences, setting them up for long-term success.
Fostering Entrepreneurialism
Through the support of Michigan Women Forward, which invests in expanding opportunities to Michigan women, the Desk Drawer Fund focuses on empowering and educating entrepreneurs to develop core skills and receive support from MSUFCU through a variety of business loan opportunities and services.
Stable Housing
The Foundation supports organizations such as the Capital Area Housing Partnership with the aim of breaking the cycle of generational poverty and housing instability. The Stable Housing pillar helps ensure support for all community members in securing reliable and safe shelter.
“We are honored to serve the South Lansing community and have the opportunity to give back where our members live and work,” said Susi Elkins, MSUFCU Chief Community Impact Officer. “Our Foundation’s investments are a result of the support of our Credit Union members, and this recognition from the SLBA speaks to the impact we can all make together.”
MSUFCU has been a proud member of SLBA since the opening of its South Lansing Branch in 2005.
About Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU)
Founded in 1937, MSUFCU has a national reputation for excellence and has received several top industry and workplace awards, including being named a Best Credit Union to Work For® by American Banker for the sixth year, a Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press for 13 consecutive years, and a National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® winner for seven consecutive years. MSUFCU has also been certified as a Great Place to Work® for 10 consecutive years and has been recognized by the Credit Union National Association, earning first place for the people-helping-people philosophy Louise Herring Award. The Credit Union operates an award-winning, wholly owned credit union service organization, Reseda Group; along with digital financial platforms AlumniFi and Collegiate; trade name Oakland University Credit Union; and its foundation, the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation. MSUFCU is headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan; and has 24 branches; over 360,000 members; $7.8 billion in assets; and more than 1,200 employees. For more information, visit msufcu.org.
About SLBA
In 1980, the South Lansing Business Association was organized as a civic organization for the betterment of the City of Lansing with an emphasis on the South Lansing area. Our members are from all walks of life, including small-business owners, community leaders, bankers, lawyers, and industry officials. Members of the SLBA, most importantly, share a common interest in Lansing’s south side. SLBA has been involved with a number of important issues such as improvements to Cedar Street, business district cleanups, and sign ordinance legislation. The SLBA knows the importance of good communication between government and private enterprise and works to ensure those lines are always open. For more information, visit slba.biz.
