Corda Credit Union Named Outstanding Large Philanthropic Organization

November 20, 2024

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, November 20, 2024 – Corda Credit Union has been named an Outstanding Large Philanthropic Organization by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Eastern Iowa Chapter (AFP). The awards ceremony was held on November 13, in advance of National Philanthropy Day on November 15, 2024.

“It is a great honor to be recognized for our contributions to the community,” said Paula O’Rourke, President and CEO of Corda Credit Union. “We actively donate to local nonprofits and encourage our staff to volunteer, both on their own time and during work hours.”

The credit union’s Volunteer Incentive Plan offers its employees 16 hours of paid time off so they can volunteer in the community. The paid VIP hours are made available after Corda employees volunteer 16 hours of their own personal time to a qualifying nonprofit organization.

Corda Credit Union is the first credit union to be honored in this category since 1998. The credit union was nominated for the AFP award by the Marion Public Library Foundation, with support from the Arc of East Central Iowa, Cedar Rapids Library Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network at the University of Iowa, Indian Creek Nature Center, Mission of Hope, St. Luke’s Foundation, and the Teacher Store.

The Marion Public Library Foundation nominated Corda Credit Union “because of its significant, dedicated support of the new Marion Public Library building. For the building project, Corda provided $150,000 toward the $3.3 million capital campaign. The Outdoor Reading Terrace on the library’s second floor is named for Corda in recognition for this generosity.”

The Foundation also cited Corda’s support of “the library in its outreach to both donors and members of the public, key library audiences” in the aftermath of the pandemic and the 2020 derecho, as well as the ongoing dedication of Corda staff to volunteer at several library events.

“‘Corda’ is the Latin word for hearts,” said O’Rourke, “and we strive every day to serve our members and communities with both compassion and expertise. We invest our heart into everything we do.”

Ranked by Forbes in 2024 as the fourth best credit union in Iowa, Corda Credit Union has nearly 26,000 members. Its membership charter encompasses anyone who lives or works in 22 Iowa counties: Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama and Washington. It also includes anyone related to a member.

To learn more, visit www.cordacu.org