March is Foodshare Month: Help support local food shelves by donating to our drive in March. Learn More.
We're Celebrating 75 Years of Service: Join us on Tuesday, March 26 at the Circle Pines Branch
for an Open House to Commemorate 75 Years of Service . Learn More.
The Anoka Hennepin Credit Union Spirit Foundation supports local organizations which provide
safety, health, nourishment, education, or inspiration to young adults in local communities.
About Us
In 2016, Anoka Hennepin Credit Union incorporated the Spirit Foundation. It is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization whose program supports extra-curricular programs at eight local high
schools and other youth-focused organizations in the area.
“AHCU was inspired by our members to do more,” AHCU CEO Jeff Claussen said
regarding the motivation for creating the foundation. “Ultimately, the mission of the AHCU
Spirit Foundation is to provide resources to high schools and community groups to help local
kids pursue their dreams. We don’t want dreams or vital programs to end simply because they cost
too much.”
Programs at Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Centennial, Champlin, Coon Rapids, Forest Lake and St.
Francis high schools are specifically supported, however the foundation is focused on making
sustainable and long-term effort to assist all youth-based, local community programs.
Go the the Get
Involved tab for more information about fundraising with the AHCU Spirit Foundation
using the no-fee giving platform, NetGiver.
To support the AHCU Spirit Foundation with a no - fee donation using NetGiver, click
below.
The Anoka Hennepin Credit Union Spirit Foundation supports local organizations which provide safety,
health, nourishment, education, or inspiration to young adults in local communities. The Spirit
Foundation envisions that if young adults have those basic needs met they will be free to discover and
achieve their dreams, no matter what those dreams may be.
In addition, the Spirit Foundation offers support to youth focused organizations, including local
high schools, youth groups, mission organizations, addiction programs, food shelves, and others. That
support may include financial support, financial education classes, awareness campaigns, or volunteer
work on behalf of selected organizations.
Executing Our Mission
Scholarships
Anoka Hennepin Credit Union offers eight financial scholarships ranging from $500.00 to
$1,000.00, depending if their high school participates in AHCU's SPIRIT programs.
Attention High School Seniors!
We are now accepting scholarship applications for the fall 2024 academic
year.
Deadline to apply is Friday - March 8th, 2024 at 12:00 PM CST to the Coon Rapids branch
location.
SPIRIT Checking
The AHCU Spirit Debit Card can accompany any checking account AHCU offers. When the card is
used, AHCU donates 5% of debit card transaction fees to the AHCU Spirit Foundation. This
donation is then given to participating high schools to reduce student activity costs, so that
all students can participate in healthy school activities.
The current participating schools include:
Anoka
Centennial
Andover
Blaine
Coon Rapids
Forest Lake
Champlin Park
An ISD 11( Anoka Hennepin School District) card is also available.
Fundraising
The Spirit Foundation is a fundraiser for community schools. It celebrates
high school students by raising funds for extra-curricular activities at local high schools. It’s
also a family-friendly program powered by students, teachers, volunteers, donors, families, and
friends. Beginning in August 2021, AHCU will provide fee-free giving with the NetGiver app.
The AHCU Spirit Foundation supports local fundraising using the no-fee giving platform,
NetGiverwhich ensures 100% of a donation reaches your
booster club!
No fees on donations, increased ease of use, all on a convenient mobile or desktop
platform.
Why NetGiver?
Did you know that an average of 7% of a donor's gift is lost in every donation? NetGiver is
different.
When using NetGiver provided by AHCU, donors can give freely and confidently to your booster club
knowing that 100% of the donation reaches the club. There is no cost to you or the
donor for using NetGiver.
SHOW SUPPORT FOR ANY NONPROFIT.
Gain support for your booster club from the student's friends and family, with ease from one app.
ALL DONATIONS, ONE LOCATION
Less worrying, more giving, NetGiver tracks the donations you've received and and donations can
be made in a matter of seconds!
SAFE AND SECURE
Feel confident when you ask others to give. What matters to you, matters to us, and the charitable
gifts you receive are supported by AHCU.
WORKING TOGETHER
At a time where so many of our neighbors and friends are facing new challenges, AHCU and credit unions
across Minnesota are coming together to do what credit unions do best: support our community!
What Your Club Gets:
100% FEE-FREE DONATIONS:
No fees on donations, increased ease of use, all on a convenient mobile or desktop platform.
Downloading is easy from the app store.
OPTIONAL MARKETING MATERIALS
Communicating with your donors is an important component of your development initiatives. We’ve
created a few pieces of collateral for your organization to use when sharing the opportunity for 100%
donations. Please feel free to click on the assets below
to download and distribute.
DASHBOARD & ANALYTICS
Track your progress as often as you want and provide up-to-date information at booster club meetings or
through your regular update emails.
Connect Using Instant Authentication With Your AHCUdigital Credentials:
One way to verify your account is by providing the username and password that you use for
AHCUdigital. NetGiver uses Plaid to
verify your account information. You will be prompted to add your AHCUdigital username and
password (or other identifying information) after you have selected Anoka Hennepin Credit Union.
If you’re having any trouble with this, the best thing to do will be to reach out to AHCU. Alternatively, follow the directions for
Micro Deposits below.
Connect Using Micro Deposits With Your AHCU Account Information:
When prompted, search for AHCU, but do not select it. Scroll to the bottom of the
screen and select “Link with Account Numbers”.
Follow the process and supply the requested information. You will be sent two small deposits to your
AHCU account to verify ownership (these will be less than $1 each).
Micro Deposits take between 1-2 business days and appear as two separate items in your account.
You'll be able to check on the amounts by calling AHCU, looking at your online account activity or on your periodic
account statement.
Once you have these amounts, you can visit app.netgiverapp.com to continue the process and verify your
AHCU account.
Looking For More Information?
For parents or school ADs who have additional questions about using NetGiver and your club is an
already established 501(c)3., please complete the form below or reach out to:
Nicole Hesley
By Phone: 763.422.0290
By Email: nicole.hesley@ahcu.coop
At AHCU, we take the security of our members very seriously. We have encouraged you to
not share your online banking credentials with untrusted parties, and we continue to stand by
that. NetGiver is a charitable giving platform, trusted by AHCU so that we can support our
members in direct, fee-free donations to the nonprofits of your choice.
When enrolling in NetGiver, you will be asked to provide your AHCUdigital
username and password. NetGiver works with our online platform to provide a safe experience for
you, our members. We feel confident that our NetGiver partner takes every precaution to keep
your information secure and encourage you to read NetGiver’s privacy philosophy.
Download the NetGiver app for Apple® or Android™ mobile devices. Message and data rates
may apply. App Store® is a service mark of Apple® Inc. Google Play™ is a trademark of Google™
Inc.
Thank you for your interest in an AHCU Spirit Foundation
Scholarship. We are no longer accepting scholarship applications for the 2024 award.
Applications received after Friday, March 8th at 12:00PM CST
will not be considered.
Please note non-winners are NOT notified.
Application Process:
Scholarships are available to students attending the following high schools:
Anoka
Andover
Blaine
Centennial
Champlin Park
Coon Rapids
Forest Lake
St. Francis
The applicant must be a primary member of AHCU prior to application. The school you are
planning to attend must be a public or private university, or two or four year community
or technical college.
Applications will be judged by the end of April 2024. A member of the
scholarship judging committee will only contact applicants who are being
awarded a scholarship.
The application deadline is Friday - March
8th, 2024 at 12:00 PM CST. Applications can be mailed to the Coon
Rapids branch or dropped off by the deadline in-person. Visit our Coon Rapids
location page for branch hours.
Eligibility Requirements Include:
Primary membership at AHCU prior to applying for scholarship. You
must be a member in good standing and your membership
must be maintained through the award period. You are
eligible to become a member of AHCU if you live, work, worship, attend school or volunteer inAnoka, Benton, Chisago, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs,
Pine, Ramsey, Sherburne and Washington Counties of Minnesota. Other requirements may
apply. You also qualify for membership if a family member is already a member.
Previous scholarship Award Winners and AHCU employees are not eligible to
apply.