Coast Capital Savings Credit Union steps up to "Build a Better World"

VANCOUVER, Oct. 15, 2012 /CNW/ - The Co-operative Development Foundation's Build a Better World Campaign has received a valued boost with Coast Capital Savings Credit Union's commitment of $75,000 over the next three years. 

For many years, Coast Capital Savings has taken a leadership role in community economic development, and has a specific focus on building a richer future for youth. Through this significant donation, Coast Capital Saving's board and management are supporting  the efforts of disadvantaged and marginalized people, including young people who are working to improve their lives, and their communities through co-operatives and credit unions.

"Coast Capital Savings believes in being a responsible corporate citizen and works hard to support growth and investment in our Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island regions of B.C.," said Coast Capital Savings Credit Union's Director of Community Leadership Wendy Lachance. "The International Year of Co-operatives seemed like a good time to expand that support, and the Build a Better World Campaign offered the perfect opportunity. We encourage other credit unions to make a significant commitment to this campaign."

The Build a Better World Campaign seeks to raise $12 million in support of international co-operative development over the next four years. The campaign was inspired in part by the International Year of Co-operatives, and by the growing need for co-operatives to address poverty in the developing world. The Co-operative Development Foundation has worked in partnership with the Canadian Co-operative Association for several decades, raising money for CCA's co-operative development activities.

"The co-operative model has proven to be an effective and sustainable approach to poverty reduction," according to Julie Breuer, CDF's Director of Fundraising and Operations. "We know that our work makes a difference, and we are delighted that Coast Capital Savings has chosen to be an important part of this effort."

According to Michael Barrett, Chair of CDF, "The Build a Better World Campaign was inspired by the theme of the UN's International Year of Co-operatives - Co-operatives Build a Better World. We are excited that Coast Capital Savings Credit Union is supporting this important initiative in such a big way and joining us as we work to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of the world's poorest people. The funds raised from this campaign will allow the CCA to more aggressively pursue innovation and excellence in co-operative poverty reduction."

The Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF) is a registered charitable organization. It raises money, mostly from Canadian co-operatives and co-op members, to help alleviate poverty by building and strengthening financial and non-financial co-ops in developing countries. Working with the Canadian Co-operative Association and other partners, it helps poor communities fight poverty and create more secure lives through community-owned co-ops.

Coast Capital Savings Credit Union

Coast Capital Savings Credit Union is Canada's second largest credit union with total assets under administration of $13.5 billion, 475,000 members and 50 branches in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island regions of British Columbia.  Coast Capital offers one of Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™.  It is a member of Canada's Best Managed Companies Platinum Club and is an Imagine Canada Caring Company. To learn more, visit www.coastcapitalsavings.com.

SOURCE: Coast Capital Savings Credit Union

Julie Breuer
Director, Fundraising & Operations
Co-operative Development Foundation
[phone] ext. 215
[email protected]

Divine Agodzo
Manager, Media Relations
Coast Capital Savings Credit Union
[phone]
[email protected]