Libro Credit Union awards $460,000 through the 2017 Libro Prosperity Fund
SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO – Libro Credit Union (Libro) today announced the recipients of the 2017 Libro Prosperity Fund with a roadshow across southwestern Ontario. Libro’s annual granting program is investing $460,000 in 2017 to support programs and projects across southwestern Ontario that are helping to grow prosperity in three focus areas: regional economic development, youth leadership and money-smarts.
“Libro’s focus is on growing prosperity in southwestern Ontario, and we invest 100% of our profits right back into the communities we serve,” said Stephen Bolton, Libro Credit Union Head Coach, President and CEO. “These grant recipients demonstrate there is so much more to prosperity that simply saving money. The diversity of their initiatives will open new paths to success across our region and I’m excited to watch these projects unfold.”
The Libro Prosperity Fund invested in 30 organizations and community groups whose initiatives support entrepreneurship, financial knowledge and career skill development for young people – all aimed at growing prosperity across the region.
“Our focus on growing prosperity means knowing the needs of each community we serve,” Bolton said. “Each of our 31 branches has a council made up of Owner Representatives who participate in the grant evaluation process and have a voice in the award selection. We believe decisions should reflect the priorities of our Owners and the participation of our Owner Representatives provides a valued perspective.”
Libro’s aim to grow prosperity isn’t limited to community investment dollars. As part of their Prosperity Purpose, Libro thinks differently about how they conduct business overall, investing in partnerships that serve a social purpose and making decisions that have a positive impact on their Owners, communities and staff.
2017 Libro Prosperity Roadshow Photos – Each roadshow stop is captured on Libro’s Facebook page, in the Album 2017 Prosperity Fund Roadshow! Descriptions and amounts of each grant are included.
Essex-Kent Region
ORGANIZATION |
PROJECT NAME |
GRANT AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|
LaSalle Hangout for Youth |
EcoKids |
$5,000 |
Chatham – Kent 4-H Association |
Youth Development and Leadership |
$5,000 |
University of Windsor |
The Libro Social Innovators Program |
$89,140 |
Windsor Hackforge |
The TechBoost Program |
$30,850 |
Essex County Federation of Agriculture |
ECFA Buy Local Digital Campaign |
$5,000 |
Natural Pathways Learning Centre |
Youth Outdoor Leadership Initiative |
$6,400 |
Access County Community Support Services |
Developing Young Leaders Mentorship-Employment Project |
$18,581 |
The Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Foundation |
Volunteer Homework & Mentorship Program |
$9,150 |
Haldimand-Norfolk Region
ORGANIZATION |
PROJECT NAME |
GRANT AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|
Community Living Haldimand |
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders |
$10,000 |
Jarvis Lions Club |
Jarvis Lions Park Walking Trail |
$10,000 |
Trillium Childhood Cancer Support Centre |
Expansion of Leadership Development Programs at Camp Trillium, Rainbow Lake |
Expansion of Leadership Development Programs at Camp Trillium, Rainbow Lake |
Junior Achievement of Waterloo Region Foundation |
Dollars With Sense Program Launch in Brantford-Haldimand-Norfolk |
$10,000 |
Huron-Perth Region
ORGANIZATION |
PROJECT NAME |
GRANT AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|
Huron Manufacturing Association |
HMA Manufacturing Student Bus Tours |
$5,000 |
Optimist Club of Bayfield |
Libro / Bayfield Optimist Education Program |
$5,000 |
Camp Menesetung |
Pay-It-Forward – Camp Menesetung Community Initiative |
$10,000 |
Listowel Business Improvement Area |
Win This Space Listowel |
$10,000 |
The Local Community Food Centre |
Community Access Market (Expansion) |
$18,000 |
Tesswater Agricultural Society |
Raise the Roof |
$5,000 |
Comittee of Council, Township of North Huron |
Upgrades to Wingham Town Hall Theater |
$5,000 |
Kitchener-Waterloo Region
ORGANIZATION |
PROJECT NAME |
GRANT AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|
St. Paul’s University College |
Enhancing Youth-Led Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Waterloo Region |
$35,000 |
Open Food Network Canada |
Developing open source technology tools for local farms, food hubs and food co-ops |
$25,860 |
Carizon Family and Community Services |
Financial Wellness in Vulnerable Communities |
$20,000 |
Rare Charitable Research Reserve |
Community Gardens Assistant |
$10,000 |
Lambton-Middlesex Region
ORGANIZATION |
PROJECT NAME |
GRANT AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|
North Lambton Community Health Centre |
iCAN / Jepzidaa After School Program |
$7,000 |
Sarnia – Lambton Business Development Corporation |
Launch in Lambton – Win This Space! |
$20,000 |
Strathroy District Arts Council |
Strathroy-Caradoc Optimist Youth Band |
$5,000 |
London-St. Thomas Region
ORGANIZATION |
PROJECT NAME |
GRANT AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|
Boys and Girls Club of London |
Youth Digital Innovation Stations (Youth DIScover) |
$20,000 |
Junior Achievement of London & District, Inc. |
JA Personal Finance for High School Students |
$10,000 |
The University of Western Ontario |
Capacity Building of Youth with Engineering and Science Fields |
$20,000 |
The Ontario Co-operative Association |
CYL Startup |
$15,000 |
About Libro Credit Union
Libro is southwestern Ontario’s largest credit union with $4 billion in assets under administration and more than 103,000 Owners across southwestern Ontario. As a co-operative financial institution with more than 70 years of history, Libro supports the well-being of people, businesses and communities by providing high-quality financial coaching and profit sharing. Recognized as a 2016 & 2017 Platinum Level Aon Best Employer in Canada, Libro is proud to grow prosperity in southwestern Ontario by strengthening the financial health of people, families and businesses, investing in our communities, and mobilizing and inspiring collaboration to help the region prosper together. Libro offers a full range of financial products and services for consumers, businesses and farms, including savings and chequing, investing, and borrowing. Great service can be experienced through 31 branches, online, telephone, mobile devices and a network of 4,000 ATMs across Canada. For more information, visit our Media Centre.
For further information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Mike Donachie, Communications Manager, Libro Credit Union
P: 519-672-0130 ext. 4344, C: 226-926-4068, mike.donachie@libro.ca