3Rivers Credit Union Turns A $225,000 Grant Initiative Into A Public Visibility Platform For Nonprofits

The Big Give pairs substantial grant funding with sustained public visibility for the nonprofits doing the work

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Sept. 1, 2026 — When 3Rivers Credit Union set out to make a sizable new investment in the communities it serves, it wanted the effort to be about more than the grants themselves. The result is the Big Give—a campaign that turns the selection process itself into an extended chance for community engagement.

The $225,000 initiative runs from September through November. Eight finalist nonprofits will be publicly showcased and put to a community vote before three organizations are each awarded $75,000.

"At 3Rivers, our involvement throughout the communities we serve gives us a firsthand look at the incredible work local nonprofits are doing every day," said Katie Alyea, the Regional Marketing Manager at 3Rivers leading the Big Give. "This is an opportunity to put significant resources behind these organizations while helping more people understand the work they're doing and why it matters."

Why it's structured this way

The idea grew from years of 3Rivers working alongside nonprofit and community organizations throughout its service areas, watching firsthand how much of a giving effort's value comes from what happens around the funding. By building a public voting period into the selection process, the Big Give provides all eight finalists, winners and non-winners alike, sustained visibility with the credit union's member base and the wider community.

"We know $75,000 can make a real difference for an organization," Alyea said. "But there's also value in helping more people discover these nonprofits and the work they're doing. Some might even find a new organization to support. We wanted the Big Give to create both outcomes."

"As a member-owned cooperative, reinvesting in our communities is part of how we operate, not something we do on the side," said Don Cates, CEO of 3Rivers. "A lot of that shows up and adds up in smaller ways throughout the year: sponsorships, event support, volunteer hours. This year, we chose to build on that with something that benefits these organizations two-fold: real dollars now, and visibility they can carry forward, in a way our members and communities can see for themselves.”

How it works

· Applications open Sept. 1–22, 2026. Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 3Rivers' service areas is eligible; organizations do not need to be 3Rivers members to apply.

· Internal review narrows the field to eight finalists, each given the opportunity to share their story and what a $75,000 grant would make possible.

· A public voting period follows, putting the finalists in front of the community at large.

· Three recipients are announced in November, each receiving $75,000.

· Full eligibility requirements and Official Rules are available at 3riversfcu.org/biggive. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sept. 22, 2026.

The bigger picture

The Big Give extends 3Rivers' longstanding investment in nonprofit and community organizations across northeast, central, and east-central Indiana and western Ohio—built through years of partnerships, sponsorships, volunteering, and everyday involvement in the region. For the nonprofits involved, it means real dollars plus a platform in front of a much larger audience. 3Rivers, in turn, gets to put its community role on display in a more active, ongoing way than a single check-presentation moment allows. This is the kind of approach other financial institutions thinking about the return on their own community giving may find worth watching.

About 3Rivers Federal Credit Union

3Rivers empowers our community to achieve financial wellness through personalized service, tools, and education. Founded in 1935, 3Rivers is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative serving more than 138,000 members through 24 branches and more than 500 employees. To learn more, visit 3riversfcu.org.