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Through GBU’s Birthday Match benefit, we will match up to $100 when you donate to your favorite 501(01(c)3 organization.
Thank you for supporting your community through the Give Back Groups program! To ensure the long-term sustainability of the program, we have made some updates to the Give Back Groups donation-matching program guidelines, effective March 1, 2024. Please read over the updated guidelines before submitting your request. Guidelines for project start-up funds remain the same. GBU will match funds raised for eligible organizations of up to $1,000 per participating insured member and up to $500 per participating social member (up to $5,000 per project). Eligibility Guidelines The benefiting organization must be a 501(c)(3) organization listed on Charity Navigator or provide documentation of 501(c)(3) status OR Matching funds must be for specific funds, projects or programs for schools, churches, other religious organizations or civic organizations. Insured members may lead up to two Give Back Group projects per year and may participate in up to two additional projects. Social members may lead one Give Back Group project per year and may participate in one additional project. AND the benefiting organization, fund, project or program must: Impact your local community OR Bring members of your community to work together for a cause outside your community, such as making care packages, or collecting items for those in need in other communities or countries. Ineligible organizations, funds, projects or programs include those that: Are political. Are controversial or serve a negative purpose. Fund outreach or teaching of any specific religion or point of view. Provide general funds for schools, churches, other religious organizations or civic organizations. Send funds outside of the local community without bringing community members together to work together for a cause. The maximum amount an organization may receive each year is $20,000. GBU will approve a maximum of 13 projects per month. If fewer than 13 projects are submitted in a month, the balance of available projects can be carried over to the next month. Choose how to help your community and start a Give Back Group or request project start-up funds today! Visit gbucares.org/give-back-groups .
The Volunteer of the Year award is an honor GBU presents to recognize a GBU member who, through example and accomplishment, provided outstanding volunteer service to his or her community and/or district during the past year. The GBU 2024 Volunteer of the Year award is based on volunteer service performed from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Celebrate a fellow member's accomplishments by completing the Volunteer of the Year nomination form at gbucares.org/volunteer-of-the-year . All nomination forms must be received by Friday, August 2, 2024. Incomplete entries or entries received after the deadline will not be considered. For questions about this program or to request a paper nomination form, please contact GBU's Community Engagement Department at memberbenefits@gbu.org or call 800-765-4428.
Are you passionate about giving back to your community but not sure where to start? Consider applying for project start-up funds with GBU’s Give Back Groups. As a project leader, you can plan your own project to help your community, and GBU will reimburse you for associated expenses (up to a certain amount). Read stories from fellow GBU members who support GBU’s Community Pillars of Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support in their area through project start-up funds! Wellness Location: Wayne County, MI GBU Member: Donna Povich Benefiting Organization: Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit Project Description: Donna and fellow GBU members got together to purchase and collect food, blankets and towels for the animal shelter. Hometown Hero Support Location: Fayette County, PA GBU Member: Ken Firestone Benefiting Organizations: Normalville VFW, Springfield VHC, Indian Head VFD Project Description: Ken and his team made phone calls, had collection boots in the community and facilitated an auction to help support three volunteer fire departments. Charitable Giving Location: Fond du Lac County, WI GBU Member: Susan VandeBerg Benefiting Organization: REACH Waupun Project Description: Susan connected GBU and Lions club members to host a chili and warming station during the city-wide weekend event. The funds raised helped to support a local not-for-profit student mentoring program. Education Location: Washington County, PA GBU Member: Mary Ann Berty Benefiting Organization: Student run Trinity Leadership Committee Project Description: A team of GBU members led by Mary Ann hosted a silent disco dance for special needs students and invited other schools to participate! Choose how to help your community and request project start-up funds today! Visit gbucares.org/give-back-groups.
Junior Achievement (JA) USA is the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures and make smart academic and economic choices. Junior Achievement programs focus on developing school-age children in the areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy and are heavily dependent on community volunteers to operate. JA Inspire is more than a career fair; it brings together the business community and local schools and is designed to help launch middle school students into their futures—high school, college, and careers beyond. At JA Inspire’s in-person events, students interact with company representatives and participate in hands-on activities, often using equipment or tools used on the job. From helping the students dress for success to operating the student exit table, GBU members and employees were able to spend the day sharing real-world work experiences and participating in hands-on engagement with the over 900 students who attended.
When I came on board GBU Life (GBU) last year, I was just learning about fraternal benefit societies and their place in history. I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation from the American Fraternal Alliance (the Alliance) to learn more about the role that this important organization plays in uniting fraternal benefit societies like GBU. The Alliance unites more than 50 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies, including GBU, operating in fifty states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The organization “unites members through Advocacy, Education and Networking,” which is key to keeping fraternal societies modern and relevant in today’s fast-paced society. GBU has been a member for years and works closely with the Alliance, but most recently, GBU CEO William (Bill) Hunt has been a board member and key leader in helping the Alliance expand its mission. This year, Bill is serving as chair of the board and leading key initiatives along with ten other leaders representing the Alliance’s membership and CEO Allison Koppel, as they advocate for and modernize the role of fraternal organizations. Advocacy The Alliance engages in initiatives such as lobbying for legislation that benefit its members and their communities while keeping an eye on and preparing defense against legislation that could be harmful to member societies. The Alliance collaborates with member societies to highlight community service projects, raise awareness about important social issues and host educational events. Education The Alliance recently developed the Fraternal Career Development Series (FCD) to help retain and nurture young and up-and-coming talents in the industry. Programs like this help to secure the future of member societies while fostering innovative ideas. The Alliance collaborates with member organizations to help solve industry problems, nurture relationships and invigorate the programs and benefits offered by fraternal benefit societies. Networking The open exchange of ideas is key to the long-term growth of the fraternal industry. The Alliance supports this by fostering an atmosphere of non-competitive and collaborative idea-sharing between societies. Leaders from member societies have opportunities to meet at the Alliance’s annual Spring Symposium and other regional networking events held throughout the year. There are also many opportunities to meet virtually. In April 2024, I will be finishing the FCD program along with my GBU colleagues Anna Meek, Ken Elliott, Mary Koczan, Janine Brickner and Leah Teahl. We have learned invaluable leadership skills, from the way we receive information and make decisions to various communication styles among our teams and how we can best work together. The energy and resources that both GBU and the Alliance are investing in the future of fraternalism are amazing to me as someone new to this side of financial products. As forward-thinking organizations, GBU and the Alliance understand that good leadership is evergreen and not limited to a specific industry. To retain a top talent pool, it is crucial to equip those up-and-comers with the tools they need to succeed. “ The Alliance recognized the need to nurture this group of our members and we are thrilled with how the FCD students have embraced this program. They are taking the lessons they’ve learned and applying them within their societies.” – Allison Koppel, CEO, American Fraternal Alliance. I asked Bill Hunt about what has changed in the fraternal industry since he joined the board and what his vision is for his presidential term. “Since joining the board, I have witnessed significant changes in the fraternal industry. There’s been a shift towards greater collaboration among fraternal organizations, increased focus on leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and growing emphasis on enhancing and expanding member engagement.” “As I look ahead, I foresee the continuation of efforts that strengthen those collaborations and promote innovation within the industry while we continue to support the well-being and growth of our members, our Societies and our communities.” – William (Bill) Hunt, CEO, GBU Life.
Contests & Games
for GBU members only
Thank you to all of the participants in the My Summer Vacation Photo Contest! Congratulations to the winners listed.
Thank you to all of the participants in the My Summer Vacation Coloring Contest! Congratulations to the winners listed.
