Putting our money where our hearts are.

Community Savings is guided by a commitment to corporate social responsibility. As a financial co-operative, we strive to improve the quality of life for our members, and the communities they live in. We put our commitments into action by contributing at least 1% of net earnings to a variety of charities and community groups. We’re proud to say that this, paired with staff volunteerism, allows us to retain the “Caring Company” distinction, a special designation awarded by the Canadian Philanthropic Society.

Credit Unions of BC Bursary Program

Community Savings is proud to help BC students reach their post-secondary education goals through the Credit Unions of BC Bursary Program. Submit your bursary application today and get started tomorrow.

Important deadlines if attending:	Application for submission:	Application deadline:	Award notice:
Fall semester	September 1	October 15	Mid-December
Winter semester	January 1	February 15	Mid-March
Spring / Summer Semester	May 1	June 15	Mid-July

To qualify for funding, applicants must also meet the following criteria:

Be able to demonstrate financial need.
Reside in BC and be a Canadian Citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or designated as a protected person.
Have proof of post-secondary enrolment in an academic, vocational, technical, or technological program and transcripts. Please note: graduate and post-graduate students are not eligible.
Enrolment must be in a public Canadian post-secondary institution at the time of application. Applicants attending accredited private institutions will only be considered if their chosen program is not offered at a public institution. Please note: applicants must provide a statement as to why they are not attending a public institution, as well as a receipt for tuition.

Apply now

The Credit Unions of BC Bursary Program awarded over $236,250 in bursaries in 2023

Community Savings Operating Engineers CU Pioneers Memorial Bursary

Originally established in 1989 by Operating Engineers Credit Union, which merged with Community Savings Credit Union in 2008, the memorial bursary provides an annual donation in honour of Operating Engineers Credit Union pioneers.

This trust incorporates the original memorial established for Harry & Doris Berger. Harry was a founding charter member, President, and Director of Operating Engineers Credit Union. Doris was a dedicated volunteer who served as Secretary to the Credit Union’s Board, the Credit Union Foundation of BC, and other associated organizations. Much of Doris and Harry’s volunteer work reflected their keen interest in helping less privileged children.

Awards from the Community Savings Operating Engineers Credit Union Pioneers Memorial bursary are designed to help students pursue higher education.

Bursary preference will be awarded to Community Savings members.

Apply now

See more credit union bursaries

Terry Smith Memorial Bursary

To honour the memory of Terrance (Terry) Bruce Smith, Chair of the Community Savings Credit Union board of directors for twenty years, Community Savings established a Memorial Trust Fund with a $100,000 donation-- the single largest donation ever received by the Credit Union Foundation organization.

Terry had a distinguished service record with the IWA as 1st Vice President of IWA Local 1-357, as President of the local union, and as the National Secretary-Treasurer of the IWA of Canada. In 1991, he received the Joe Morris Labour Community Service Award from the United Way of the Lower Mainland for outstanding efforts to improve community services. He was also a founding director of Pacifica, a member of the Lower Mainland Assessment and Referral Society, and served on New Westminster’s Advisory Planning Commission and the Athletic Commission.

Awards from this trust are available for students attending BC post secondary schools or the Labour College of Canada. All students are invited to apply, but preference will be given to Community Savings members who are enrolled in trades and apprenticeship, political science, sociology-related fields, social work, community planning, or environmental or co-operative studies.

Apply now

Donate to the Terry Smith Memorial Trust Fund

Community Savings CLC Pacific Region Winter School Scholarships

Community Savings has changed and grown over the years, but one thing has stayed the same: we are still, and always will be, “the unions’ credit union”.

One of our core beliefs is that a thriving labour movement benefits all facets of daily life. Union membership improves the safety, earning power, and future security of Canada’s workers, and it also enhances the communities we live in. But in order to have strong unions, we need union members who are empowered with an understanding of their purpose and the skills they need to be successful.

To achieve this, in support of the Canadian Labour Congress and labour education, we’ve established four continuing CLC Pacific Region Winter School Scholarships. We offer these scholarships in the spirit of the union workers who founded Community Savings who brought their values from the shop floor to the financial sector, where many had been unfairly denied support before.

Two new scholarships were added in 2024, they are the Gary Kroeker Memorial and Marie Decaire Memorial. Gary was a long-serving member of the Board and was instrumental in ensuring that the Operating Engineers’ Credit Union became part of Community Savings. Marie was a pioneer in the labour movement, a former Community Savings board member, and a former Union Liaison Officer.

We hope these scholarships will enhance understanding and give both a sense of purpose and practical skills to members of CLC affiliate unions throughout BC.

Apply now