Capitola, CA – October 6, 2022 – In its most recent move to be increasingly eco-friendly, Bay Federal Credit Union ran a campaign that invited members to switch from paper statements to electronic communications this summer.
The incentives? An easy way to protect our environment, a chance to win cash prizes, and a $5 donation to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundationd for each member who opted-in. Combined, members generated $9,405 for the Foundation.
Because of financial industry regulations, members need to proactively enroll themselves to receive eStatements. Between July and August, 1,881 members made the switch.
“This is a true win-win scenario for the environment and for our members,” said Carrie Birkhofer, Bay Federal’s President and CEO. “All our cost savings, such as paper and postage, are reinvested so we may better serve our members — and the Foundation is doing vital work to help protect this beautiful place we call home.”
As the official nonprofit partner for NOAA’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Foundation is dedicated to protecting the long-term health of the Monterey Bay for the 2 million residents in five adjacent counties — as well as the millions of tourists who visit the region every year.
The Foundation’s mission is to leave a thriving marine sanctuary to future generations by protecting wildlife and biodiversity, raising sanctuary visibility and awareness, and inspiring the public to be its stewards. It provides hands-on programming to schools in under-served and inland communities in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara counties with an emphasis on teaching K-6th Graders how the watershed impacts the ocean.
“Bay Federal has a long history of community service, and I was thrilled to get to work with them in partnership to protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary,” said Ginaia Kelly, Chapter Director for the Foundation. “The importance of training the next generation of marine stewards for our area cannot be understated. The ocean provides more than half the oxygen we breathe. A healthy ocean means a healthy planet. Making sure the ocean is healthy is vital to our species’ survival, really.”
The Foundation also supplies grants for local NOAA college interns and funds wildlife protection, such as rescuing whales from entanglement and endangered black abalone from wildfire repercussions.
Bay Federal ran a similar campaign in 2021, which generated $10,955 for the Foundation, bringing the total amount donated over the past two years to $20,360.
The cash prizes for Bay Federal’s 2022 campaign were $1,000 (grand prize), $500 (second-place), and $100 for five runners-up. Thirty-eight percent of members now receive eStatements.
About Bay Federal Credit Union
Bay Federal Credit Union is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution that serves over 80,000 members and 2,400 local businesses throughout Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties. With more than $1.6 billion in assets, Bay Federal is the largest member-owned financial institution in Santa Cruz County, serving its members and the community since 1957. Bay Federal is a certified Community Development Financial Institution, with a primary mission of promoting community development alongside their financial activities. Bay Federal has an award-winning employee volunteer program in which employees have given their own money and volunteer for numerous local schools, nonprofit organizations, and community events each year.
Contact: Amy Ivey, VP Marketing and Development
Bay Federal Credit Union
831.477.8409
aivey@bayfed.com
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