community snapshot
STRONG, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES ARE GOOD FOR EVERYONE
Since first opening our doors in 1969, our priority has been to make a lasting and meaningful impact in the Kootenays. Year after year, through grants, donations, sponsorships, bursaries and more, Kootenay Savings invests a good portion of our profits back into the communities we serve. Profits made possible by our loyal members and hard-working employees.
We see our community giving as more than just handing over a cheque or holding a fundraiser. We form true partnerships. That’s why you see us involved in the community in so many ways – as a financial partner, corporate sponsor, community educator and dedicated volunteer. It’s about working better together to create stronger, healthier, more liveable communities. After all, as a financial co-operative, we’re only as strong as the members and communities we serve.
Literacy plays a large part in creating change for the better. It doesn’t matter whether you are learning how to read, how to manage money or how to run a business, a little learning goes a long way. From financial wellness workshops to bursaries for women earning below the living wage, we’re helping facilitate and create educational opportunities for people of all ages and all walks of life.
Through the Kootenay Savings Community Foundation, our Care Wear program, sponsorships, in-kind donations, student bursaries and employee fundraising, we invested $394,364 into our communities in 2018. And we’ve got even bigger plans for our 50th anniversary year. Just watch.
$4.6 million
contributed to
communities by our
foundation since 2000
10,240
volunteer hours by our
employees and directors
in 2018
As a corporate partner for many seasons, Kootenay Savings has helped write another chapter in the storied history of the Trail Smoke Eaters and brought a new level of excitement to game night with the Smokies.
- Allison McCarthy, Corporate Sales & Events Manager, Trail Smoke Eaters
Working in a remote community in Malawi, I handed out 80 jerseys that were no longer used by our local soccer club. I have never seen children, teens and adults so excited to receive something – they were all beaming.
- Carli Maybuck, Student, Soccer Player & Humanitarian from Invermere
It is so important victims of bullying know they are not alone. With financial support from KSCU, our volunteer non-profit organization is able to give free T-shirts to local schools for Pink T-Shirt Day each February.
- Anne Cavicchi, Pink T-Shirt Day Society
$340,320
in Care Wear funds
donated since 2004
$38,700
in 2018 bursaries
and leadership awards
$17,972,000
direct economic value
generated by employee
compensation
environmental sustainability
SIGNS OF CHANGE
Part of being a good corporate citizen is taking care of the environment. At Kootenay Savings, we take that role very seriously. All our branches and facilities now use energy-efficient LED interior lighting and we are in the process of replacing our exterior signage with LEDs to further reduce energy use. So far, four branches (Kimberley, Trail, South Slocan and Invermere) have been totally converted.
CUTTING PAPER
Prior to 2014, a whopping 237,220 paper statements were mailed to our members each year. By promoting eStatements, we’ve reduced this number by 65% in five short years. Today even 72% of our seniors choose to receive their statements online. The environmental savings produced by using electronic documents and signatures have also been dramatic. Take a look.
HOW MUCH WE SAVED USING ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES 2014-2018
22,102 kg
of wood =
147 trees
493,396 litres
of water =
5 backyard pools
3,260 kg
of waste =
1/4 garbage truck