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.
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.
Hundreds of Personal Care Items & Monetary Donations Collected to Help Local Homeless
Youth
AHCU members answered the call in a big way by donating personal care items and making monetary
donations during the 2nd Annual Giving Tree fundraiser in November & December 2022. This year’s
fundraiser focused on two local non-profits: Hope 4 Youth & Avenues for Youth.
Over 500 homeless youths in Hennepin County & Anoka County-based Hope 4 Youth served 126 homeless
youth in November alone. While AHCU has many initiatives around supporting the local communities we
serve, a need so great as supporting youth facing homeless became a top priority during this recent
giving season.
AHCU received 100’s of donated items on the “most needed” lists of the two non-profits collected, and
in addition, our members contributed over $2,600 in monetary gifts. The non-profits use cash donations
they receive to purchase gas gift cards or other high-need items. Those items include shampoo, body
wash, deodorant, toothpaste, backpacks, & blankets, as they are among the most donated and requested
items as many young people need aid on the go.
Modern Giving
for better booster club fundraising!
Starting in August 2021, all fundraising will be using the FREE NetGiver
app provided by Anoka Hennepin Credit Union that ensures
100% of a donation reaches your booster club!
No fees on donations, increased ease of use, all on a convenient mobile
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 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:
Toni Gerard, VP Marketing & Business Development
By Phone: 763.422.0290
By Email: toni.gerard@ahcu.coop
For the 2020 - 2021 Spirit Foundation Fundraising page on GoFundMe - Click Here
You can also check out our previous year's campaigns or create your own campaign - Click Here
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.
Congratulations to the Winners of the AHCU Spirit
Foundation's 2022 Best of the Best Awards
Best Teacher: Kali Wagner
Best Volunteer: Corey McKinnon
Best Coach: Andy Richardson
Pictured: AHCU Branch
Manager (Forest Lake): Sam J; Best Teacher Winner: Kali Wagner; FLHS Principal, Jim Caldwell;
Best Volunteer Winner: Corey McKinnon; Best Coach Winner: Andy Richardson
Thank you Forest Lake Community for Nominating
Your Favorites!
Check out the winners in the
Forest Lake Times on May 12th, 2022 & AHCU's social media channels.
Best Teacher - Kali Wagner
FLHS Principal, Jim Caldwell; Best Teacher Winner: Kali
Wagner; AHCU Branch Manager (Forest Lake): Sam J
What makes Kali Wagner the Best Teacher at FLHS?
"She is an amazing teacher she is so helpful and caring"
"She is just a great human and she will help anyone in need. she
is respectful to all the kids and actually cares about the kids she teaches. she is a great
advisory teacher and I'm so happy to go to her class every Monday."
Best Volunteer - Corey McKinnon
FLHS Principal, Jim Caldwell; Best Volunteer Winner: Corey
McKinnon; AHCU Branch Manager (Forest Lake): Sam J
What makes Corey McKinnon the Best Volunteer at FLHS?
"During the hockey season, Corey will bounce in between ice rinks, running drills at both
the boys and girls practices. At these practices, Corey is incredibly helpful. He is rarely seen
standing off to the side watching. He always has something useful to say to say to the players.
Corey does this every day, all season. When the hockey season ends, he then transitions to tennis,
where he consistently runs specific, targeted drills for the team to improve. The head coach loves
him, as his knowledge of the game helps our team in every way. Corey does all of this without
getting paid for any of it."
Best Coach - Andy Richardson
FLHS Principal, Jim Caldwell; Best Coach Winner: Andy
Richardson; AHCU Branch Manager (Forest Lake): Sam J
What makes Andy Richardson the Best Coach at FLHS?
"Motivates and inspires boys to be their best in sport and school!"
"His support and interactions with kids is above and beyond. The entire culture of support
for each other and inclusiveness is the best I have ever seen from any program."
"He's a fun and honest guy. He's always comes super early & stays late, not to
mention his door is open to anyone the whole time. He gives detailed feedback on all our
assignments and makes sure we're all doing our best in his class."
"He's is a great mentor and friend!"
"The Best of the Best" Official Rules
Nominations
Nominees must be current employees or volunteers at Forest Lake High School. Employees, board
members, officers of AHCU and the AHCU Spirit Foundation are not eligible.
Nominees must be at least 18 years old and not a current student enrolled at Forest Lake High
School. Must be over 13 years old to submit a nomination. Nominations are only accepted using the
electronic form on this web page. Nominations received in violation of these Official Rules will be
disregarded and disqualified.
Participation
By participating, nominators agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the
AHCU Spirit Foundation. The AHCU Spirit Foundation reserves the right to disqualify persons found
tampering with or otherwise abusing any aspect of this promotion as solely determined by the AHCU Spirit
Foundation. In the event website is compromised by a virus, non-authorized human intervention, tampering
or other causes beyond the reasonable control of AHCU or the AHCU Spirit Foundation that corrupts or
impairs the administration, security, fairness or proper operation, the AHCU Spirit Foundation reserves
the right in its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the promotion.
The AHCU Spirit Foundation will not be responsible for failure to receive nominations or other
electronic communications due to transmission failures or technical failures of any kind, including,
without limitation, malfunctioning of any network, hardware or software, whether originating with sender
of the AHCU Spirit Foundation.
Standard data rates apply. Contact your wireless carrier for information on your specific
charges.
Construction
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any such provision is determined to be
invalid or otherwise unenforceable, these rules shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if
the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained therein.
Winner Selection
Winners will be chosen by the AHCU Spirit Foundation Board of Directors. The selection is limited
to one winner from each of the following categories: teacher, coach, and volunteer. Winners will be
announced on the AHCU Spirit Foundation webpage, in the Forest Lake Times, and through AHCU’s social
channels.
The decision of the committee will be final and is not subject to review. Selection will be based
on the nominee’s noteworthy achievements, involvement in community and school activities.
¹Winning Awards
The winner may not use the award money for personal use. Awards will be given to the Forest Lake
High School for disbursement to the winning teacher’s classroom, group, or
activity.
Winners are asked to have their photo taken and complete a media release upon accepting the award.
The photo will be used by AHCU and the AHCU Spirit Foundation to announce the winner to the community on
the Foundation’s webpage, AHCU’s social media and in the Forest Lake Times Newspaper. If a winner does
not want their photo published, a group, team, or school logo may be used in place of a facial
image.
The AHCU Spirit Foundation is awarding up to 8 - $1,000 financial
scholarships pursuing post-secondary education in 2023.
Application Process:
Complete an application by clicking on the Apply Now button
to access the scholarship packet. To be eligible for one of the credit union
scholarships, applicant must be a high school senior pursuing post-secondary education
in the fall of 2023 academic year.
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. 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 2023. A member of the
scholarship judging committee will only contact applicants who are being awarded a
scholarship.
The application deadline is Saturday - March
4th, 2023 at 12:00 PM CST. Applications received after this
deadline will not be considered.
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.
Credit Union that ensures
100% of a donation reaches your booster club!
