RCU
SPONSORED SPECIAL SECTION | REDWOOD CREDIT UNION
The heart of the matter A look at Redwood Credit Union’s social impact in the community
I n October of 2023, Redwood Credit Union’s entire team of Santa Rosa and built 418 bicycles to donate to local children. This is just one of many of the good deeds being done by RCU employees. The best part: The recipients are not the only ones benefitting. “These events not only benefit our community, but they also inspire our team members—seeing something you built with your own hands that brings joy and better health to a child is an incredibly rewarding experience,” Mishel Kaufman says. more than 800 people met at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Kaufman is RCU’s chief operating and risk officer and president of the Redwood Credit Union Community Fund (RCUCF), the organization’s 501(c)(3). As president of the fund, Kaufman can attest to the company’s commitment to its community. “I’ve witnessed first-hand the devastation of those impacted by By Janet Perry
Redwood Credit Union team members build bikes at RCU’s Day of Impact in 2023 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Eleven of RCU’s nonprofit partners selected children throughout the North Bay and San Fran- cisco who really needed the bikes. [Photo by Will Bucquoy]
was founded on the concept of people helping people. “It’s always been part of who we are as an organization,” she says. “Our mission is to passionately serve the best interests of our members, team members, and communities. Over the years that commitment has continued to grow stronger.” Last year the credit union participated in 224 events with 5,739 volunteer hours and RCU representatives served on the boards of more than 40 nonprofits and other community groups. They provided more than $4 million in support through sponsorships, fundraising and support to local nonprofit agencies. They reached more than 4,000 people through financial education programming, including programs for youth. Kaufman says the company regularly surveys its now 950 employees and consistently gets feedback about how proud they are of their hands-on volunteer work and the ways the company shows up for the community in times of need. RCU partners with more than 70 organizations that build inclusive communities and foster positive societal change. “All of these partnerships help advance meaningful and sustained change that contributes to a local economy that is strong, prosperous and innovative,” Kaufman says. “Our Celebrate Community and Giving Marin partnerships
natural disaster, and it has been both gratifying and humbling to help connect survivors to the resources they need to get back on their feet,” Kaufman says. After the Boyles Fire in September in Lake County, through a partnership with state Sen. Mike McGuire’s office and the Konocti Unified School District, RCU was able to hand out gift cards to families, individuals, and schoolchildren who’d lost their homes, Kaufman says. “Being there when our communities need us most is part of RCU’s mission, and I’m so honored to be able to be part of that.” A team-focused culture and commitment to social responsibility are ingrained in the day-to-day work at RCU, she
says. “Working for a mission- driven organization, I get to come to work every day and help members, team members, and the communities we serve. It doesn’t get much better than that.” Kaufman notes that RCU
Mishel Kaufman, chief operating and risk officer
50 NorthBaybiz
January 2025
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