Commitment to Community
People helping people is the greater mission of Credit Unions across the world. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), TN Members 1st works to invest in our local communities and the residents who live there but we know that true commitment to our community goes far beyond the products and services we’re able to offer as your local credit union. Our Commitment to Community Initiative focuses on partnering with local organizations to make a difference through charitable giving and program support.
We welcome area organizations with similar and complementary missions to that of the credit union to participate in our Commitment to Community Initiative! Community partnerships can be formed as general partnerships, grant-based partnerships, or a combination of both. Our partnership opportunities are not contractual and withdrawal can be done at any time by contacting the TN Members 1st marketing department at marketing@fcumail.org.
All partnerships are reviewed on a regular basis by the credit union leadership team and Board of Directors. Becoming a community partner with TN Members 1st does not guarantee a specific number or dollar amount of contributions from the credit union to the community partner each year.
We're thankful to partner with various community organizations to spread the 'People Helping People' mission outside of our branch walls and throughout the areas we serve by focusing on education, engagement, and growth opportunities.
- Education: Providing information and resources from trusted community partners.
- Engagement: Sharing information about and participating in opportunities to give back to the areas we serve.
- Growth: Responsibly participating in CDFI grant opportunities to help cultivate a growing, healthy local economy.
General partnerships provide an ongoing opportunity for a referral-style presence on the TN Members 1st Commitment to Community webpage, found at mymembersfirst.org/community, along with regular promotion focused on educational information and engagement opportunities. In addition, community partners are included on the credit union’s list of preferred organizations for planned annual organizational giving.
As a CDFI credit union, TN Members 1st regularly applies for funding in the form of grants with the CDFI Fund to help cultivate a growing, healthy local economy. During this process, potential partners are identified and included in the grant application to strengthen the overall application and increase the chances of securing funding for our community. Our grant-based partners have no formal commitment or obligations if the credit union receives a grant. In the event a grant is funded, grant-based partners would be highlighted in a press release and digital communication opportunities. Grant initiatives and partner needs vary and may not be applicable to all partners during each application cycle. The credit union will provide general information and an application summary draft to assist potential partners in determining their support and inclusion in grant initiatives.
Community Partner Interest Form
Our Community Partners
Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC)
Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) began in the mid 1980’s as a local ecumenical effort to provide assistance to impoverished families. As the broad needs of the low-income community became evident, the faith-based collaborative moved to become a 501(c)(3) public charity in January, 1987. Over the years, ADFAC has honored its roots by developing a broad variety of programs designed to meet unfilled needs in the community and currently answers over 6,000 requests for assistance each year.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee
Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee has been transforming the lives of children since 1970. A member agency of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States, consisting of more than 350 agencies nationwide, Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee has a mission to create and professionally support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and potential of youth in our area.
CASA of Tennessee Heartland
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, who are trained to represent the best interests of children in juvenile abuse and neglect court cases. CASA is a local, nonprofit organization in communities all across the nation. The core purpose of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland is to provide a voice for abused and neglected children in our community. As a non-profit, volunteer-based agency, our mission is to empower CASA volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children in juvenile court.
East Tennessee Foundation
East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) is a public charity and community foundation created by and for the people of East Tennessee, where many donors join together to make the region they love a better place, today and for future generations. ETF, like other community foundations, operates as a collection of hundreds of distinct charitable funds and supporting foundations established by individuals, families, businesses, and other nonprofits.
Tennessee Members 1st FCU specifically focuses on working with the Norris Area Community Foundation and Oak Ridge Fund for Achieving Community Excellence as part of our Community Partnership with East Tennessee Foundation.
Free Medical Clinic
The Free Medical Clinic provides no-charge primary and medical care for low-income and uninsured residents of Anderson, Morgan, and Roane Counties of Tennessee and for partners enrolled in their medical service program including Telehealth options, access to free or discounted medications, special medical programs, treatments, imaging, tests, lab work, and preventative care with annual physicals.
Girls Inc. of TN Valley
Girls Inc. of Tennessee Valley is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering girls aged 6-18 in the Tennessee Valley region. We provide evidence-based programs that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), financial literacy, healthy living, and violence prevention. Our mission is to ensure that all girls have the opportunity to grow and learn in a supportive environment that helps them understand their value, potential, and rights.
Our research-based programs are delivered in a dynamic and engaging manner that makes learning fun and effective. We are also committed to advocacy work, striving for policy and culture change that can support equal opportunities for girls and women. The overall goal of Girls Inc. of Tennessee Valley is to build strong, smart, and bold girls who can positively contribute to society.
Knox Area Rescue Ministries
Knox Area Rescue Ministries’ mission is to rescue and restore the poor and needy of the Knoxville area by providing recovery services in Jesus’ name. KARM provides daily for those most vulnerable and desperate among us, first supplying rescue services of food and shelter, then healthy, supportive relationships, and ultimately restoration, including job-training opportunities.
Roane State Foundation
Since 1979, Roane State Foundation has been on a mission to strengthen communities and eliminate barriers to student success. With help from donors and other community partners, the Foundation provides financial support to students and programs on nine Roane State campuses across ten counties of East Tennessee. Foundation initiatives to support Roane State students and communities include annual student scholarships; professional development opportunities for RSCC faculty and staff; institutional facilities and equipment for Roane State Community College; funding for RSCC academic programs, athletics, and more; and community programs that fuel student growth.
Remote Area Medical
Remote Area Medical® – RAM is a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics with a mission to prevent pain and alleviate suffering by providing free, quality healthcare to those in need. RAM’s clinics provide free dental, vision, medical, and veterinary services to everyone, regardless of background, in an ongoing effort to address healthcare disparities. Since its founding in 1985, RAM’s corps of more than 196,000 volunteers – comprised of licensed dental, vision, medical, and veterinary professionals, as well as general support staff – have treated more than 910,500 individuals delivering more than $189.5 million worth of free healthcare services.
Tennessee Out-Reach Center for Homeless (TORCH)
TORCH opened its doors in January 2013 as the only comprehensive homeless service in Anderson County, TN.
Because there is no shelter in the county, TORCH operates the Housing First model. Efforts are made to find affordable, sustainable housing as quickly as possible. If extra financial assistance is needed after an address is established and a client qualifies an agreement may be made to assist for a predesigned amount and/or time. We call that plan “Shelter in the Future Home” and find it a much more cost-effective way to assist those we house in reaching self-sufficiency. The first step in future success is establishing a permanent address.
United Way of Anderson County
United Way of Anderson County improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community to advance the common good by focusing on Youth Development, Self-Sufficiency, and Senior & Health Services—the building blocks for a good life and strong community.
Are you interested in becoming a community partner with Tennessee Members 1st? Contact our marketing department for more information. Looking to share information about TN Members 1st with your organization’s team or community? Click the button below for a printable PDF with credit union information including who we are, what we offer, and how to become a member!
Learn More About Community Partnerships Credit Union Info Printable
Go to main navigation