2024 Tekkie Award for People Helping People: SELCO Community Credit Union

By W.B. King

Some Monday mornings are better than others, which was the case when SELCO Community Credit Union was informed it had won Finopotamus’ inaugural “People Helping People” Tekkie Award.

“I can't think of a better way to kick off a week. My initial reaction was pride for all the important work by so many people to revitalize our giving program and ensure it stays relevant to the many needs out there,” Olivia Sorensen, senior community development specialist, said. And, of course, I was also very grateful for the honor!”

The $2.7 billion Springfield, Ore.-based credit union, which supports more than 150,000 members and 15 branch locations, earned the designation for many reasons, including its “SELCO Steps Up” program.

“We’re looking for ways to identify the changing needs of the communities we serve and find new and innovative methods to meet those needs that will leave a lasting impact,” said Sorensen. “SELCO has nearly a century of history when it comes to helping our communities. With that experience, we know that it is not enough to simply write a check.”

Sorensen said the ultimate goal of the program is to “uplift and empower,” while addressing key “societal challenges with a focus on issues that we can do the most good, namely financial education, removing barriers to education, and supporting students and educators.”

SELCO Steps Up recently enhanced its scholarship program. Whereas it was initially limited to high school seniors headed to two or four-year colleges, the program was expanded to accept applications from vocational school students, nontraditional students returning to school, and those already attending an accredited college, university, or vocational school.

“The response was immediate. SELCO received a record number of applications in 2024, doubling the total from 2023. Clearly, we’re seeing an impact even in the Steps Up’s early stages,” Sorensen told Finopotamus. “And perhaps nowhere is this more apparent than internally, where we’ve witnessed a reinvigorated team. Since SELCO Steps Up kicked off, we’ve recorded a nearly 50% increase in our team’s volunteer hours over the same period in 2023.”

People Really Can Help People

Among other forward-leaning community initiatives is “Regional Classroom Makeovers,” which Sorensen called one of many “hands on” projects undertaken by credit union team members. While these may take place in a traditional classroom, the idea is to transform spaces where learning takes place—be it a gymnasium, a library or a playground.

“We’ll support three classroom makeovers annually for up to $15,000 each. SELCO members and the public will help select a classroom in each of the three regions in Oregon that SELCO serves,” she noted.

“We consult with community partners and internal stakeholders to ensure all needs and goals are considered and accounted for,” she continued. “Just as the community’s needs are constantly evolving, so must the ways we address those needs. So, the work developing and refreshing our programs is—by design—always ongoing.”

Another program is “Creative Educator Grants.” The credit union recently increased individual grants from $1,000 to $2,500 maximum, “to support larger and more impactful classroom projects,” she said.

Removing Barriers With Tech

To successfully roll out these varied programs, Sorensen explained that the credit union leans on vendors who can deliver the type of technological solutions required, including SmarterSelect (an application management system) to streamline scholarship, grant, and award applications.

Over the past years, response from the communities SELCO serves as been inspirational, she said.

“This recognition really begins by telling our community partners’ stories. We’ve come to see storytelling as core to our giving strategy, right alongside the gifts of dollars and time,” she told Finopotamus. “We encourage people to check out our various social channels, where we’re providing daily updates on our work with community partners and engaging with members and nonmembers alike.”