Supporting Local Communities: How Harvard FCU Gives Back

Harvard FCU is committed to making a positive impact in our members’ lives and across the communities we share. The Credit Union gives back in a number of ways: from partnering with local organizations, to supporting charitable initiatives, to joining community outreach events as a team. Read on for a closer look at how Harvard FCU is working to make a difference!

Community Partnership and Support

Harvard FCU partners with and supports a number of local organizations and philanthropical programs, including the Philips Brooks House Association (PBHA), a student-led organization that develops student leaders to meet critical needs and advocate for change; Food for Free, which improves access to healthy food in Massachusetts; and the Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, founded in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing to help trauma survivors. The Credit Union also gives partnership and support to a number of other organization, such as the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Mount Auburn Hospital, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital.

The Harvard FCU Volunteer Initiative Program (VIP)

A variety of Harvard FCU Volunteer Initiative Program (VIP) events are planned throughout the year to provide all staff with opportunities to give back to the communities we serve! In 2024, the Harvard FCU squad came out to scoop ice cream at the Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl, in order to further support the lifesaving efforts through the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Previous VIP events have also included packing boxes of healthy groceries with Food for Free, to donate to families in need, and collecting Jimmy Fund donations to combat cancer at Fenway Park.

Academic Scholarship Program

Harvard FCU is committed to helping high school students reach their financial and academic goals—which is why the Credit Union awards ten $1,500 scholarships to students starting their first year of college. The scholarship is available to members’ children, with scholarship winners chosen by a volunteer scholarship review committee. Click here for more information!

Financial Wellness Through Community Education

Connecting our members and their local communities to trustworthy financial education is another important way Harvard FCU can make a positive impact for all. THRIVE, Harvard FCU’s financial wellness program, brings award winning personal finance education and expertise to members—from home buying help, to debt repayment advice, to student loan information and more. Harvard FCU has also published over 100 videos on personal finance topics, and of course everyone can check out the Harvard FCU blog to study up on budgeting, retirement, investing, securing and tons of other financial wellness topics.

Not-for-Profit

Banking with Harvard FCU means your money stays within the community. Because Harvard FCU is a Credit Union, profits earned are returned to members in the form of better products and services, rather than being passed along to outside shareholders in the form of dividends. The Credit Union believes being an active and socially responsible member of the community is the most important role we have. When you bank with Harvard FCU, your money stays within the community — from supporting local charities to building valuable financial education programs and granting loans to other members.