In 2021, Conexus Credit Union (Conexus) re-invested over $90,000 into communities in Southern Saskatchewan through its Community Investment Program.
Conexus is a member-owned, Saskatchewan-based cooperative with 30 branches throughout the province. As a credit union, Conexus’s purpose is not to maximize profitability, but to provide a service to its members.
Conexus invests up to 5 per cent of pre-tax profits each year in local community projects.
The Community Reinvestment Program supports the following focus areas;
- Financial Literacy Education Programs
- Basic Human Needs
- Education
- Food Security
- Shelter
- Health Services
- Capital projects (community-owned facilities and equipment)
In the past five years, Conexus has reinvested over $850,000 in Southern Saskatchewan communities.
In 2021, 59 initiatives through 56 organizations were supported. Those partnerships included:
- Joe’s Place Youth Centre Youth Work Skills & Mentorship program
- Moose Jaw Warriors financial literacy program
- Moose Jaw Riverside Mission
- Moose Jaw & District Food Bank
- Moose Jaw Transition House
- Thunder Creek Rehabilitation Association
- Moosomin Communiplex capital project
- Southey, Midale, Lemberg, Qu’Appelle, and Rocanville First Responders
- Abernathy Agricultural Society Centennial capital project
“Identifying new ways to spark connections and improving the financial well-being in our communities is our core purpose at Conexus,” said Nicole Westerlund, Vice-President of Marketing and Member Engagement. “We know that when someone’s basic human needs are met, they can become financially well. We are proud to partner with community and non-profit organizations that are making a meaningful difference in people’s lives right here in our own backyard.”
Westerlund said that the nature of their community partnerships depends on the needs of the individual organization. Sometimes it’s a one-time capital contribution, or year-over-year support with ongoing programming, or even organizing volunteers from their branches, although she noted that volunteerism has been difficult the last two years.
It’s important for Conexus to invest in Moose Jaw, Westerlund said, because “We live and work and play and do business in the Moose Jaw area and in Moose Jaw. So, it’s really important to us to give back to that community and contribute to that community and be active as part of the community.”
