August 2020

The Affinity Plus Foundation works to engage, educate and empower individuals and communities. The Foundation offers a Campus Scholarship opportunity to Affinity Plus members, and now’s the time to apply and make smart financial decisions early on!

The Campus Scholarship application period is now open! The deadline to submit applications is October 30, 2020 and winners will be notified directly by December 15, 2020. Through the Campus Scholarship Program, the Affinity Plus Foundation awards ten $2,000 scholarships to students*. Seven scholarships are dedicated to schools that have an Affinity Plus branch on campus and/or a strong reciprocal relationship with the credit union. Schools include:

• Bemidji State University
• Minnesota State University – Mankato
• Minnesota State University - Moorhead
• St. Cloud State University
• University of Minnesota – Duluth
• University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
• Winona State University

Three additional scholarships are awarded to students attending a Minnesota-based Community or Technical Colleges.

Applicants will be asked to upload their most recent high school or college transcripts and submit their responses to series of three essay questions.

In the wake of George Floyd’s death and the unrest that followed, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union organized two fundraising initiatives: Twin Cities Healing and Affinity Plus Gives. Together, credit union members (like you!) and employees directed more than $330,000 to an array of organizations making a difference in their communities by addressing racial injustice, supporting rebuilding efforts and providing basic needs in the most impacted communities.

What is Twin Cities Healing?

Twin Cities Healing coordinated contributions to various certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations working to meet the basic needs of impacted individuals, rebuild communities, and address racial injustice. Our members gave back in a big way, by donating more than $36,000 in monetary and MyPlus Rewards points. To celebrate the generosity of members, Affinity Plus contributed an additional $100,000, bringing the contribution to more than $136,000. From July 1-10, members cast their votes to allocate the funds among 10 organizations.

What is Affinity Plus Gives?

In addition to Twin Cities Healing, Affinity Plus launched an employee-directed initiative, in which they nominated organizations that are helping local communities. In total, $200,000 was gifted to 26 organizations across the state and nationally.

In addition to monetary donations to various organizations, three of our branches (Roseville, Lafayette and University), also served as drop-off sites for much needed items. Five truckloads worth of donations were collected including: non-perishable food, diapers, baby formula, hygiene products. The team dropped off donations at The Sheridan Story, who will distribute the items to emergency food depots across the Twin Cities.

When you open any Affinity Plus checking account, you can earn 5,000 MyPlus Rewards™ points just by making 15 purchases with its debit card, within the first 60 days.*

Debit card purchases keep earning. Earn 1 point per $6 in net debit card purchases, and double in a month when you reach 30 transactions.

Your points add up. Check your points and redeem them anytime in the mobile app or online banking, under your account list.

What Your Points Get You

Redeem your MyPlus Rewards points for gift cards at popular retail and restaurant chains, travel with no blackout dates, merchandise like electronics, charitable donations, loan-rate reductions and more.

Just a few examples:

• $50 gift card – 6,500 points
• $100 gift card – 12,000 points
• $10 food bank donation – 1,250 points

Learn more about our checking benefits.

*Credit Union membership and eligibility required. Offer only available to new checking accounts, one offer per membership.

Ready to give back to a good cause all while helping local students? Tech, yeah!

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union and Minnesota Computers for Schools, along with KARE-11, are teaming up for Tech Drive Tuesday.

The purpose is to ensure all kids across the state have access to reliable computers and technology to ensure they can stay connected this school season. We now know many school districts are implementing some form of distance learning protocols and many families are struggling to gain access to reliable computers that allow their children to stay engaged academically.

Tech Drive sites are accepting unwanted or no-longer-used technology including: laptops, desktops, servers, computer towers, LCD monitors, smartphones, networking equipment, mice and keyboards.

In addition, Affinity Plus will also match up to $25,000 in monetary donations, while also taking in physical donations of no-longer-used technology.

Self-Service Options Available Online

At Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, we know you want to do the best for your families, and we want to do our best for them, too. And as we’ve all learned lately, life can throw us unexpected curveballs – life insurance is one way to help ensure your family will stay protected and supported regardless. TruStage® Term Life Insurance helps protect your family from the loss of your income if the worst happens to you. It pays income-tax free money they could use for the mortgage, debts, unpaid bills or any reason.

Apply Anytime Online

And now, it’s available entirely online. Applying is easy, and you’ll have a coverage decision in the same day:

• 100% online
• Just a few health questions
• No medical exam or tests
• Instant decision (up to $100,000)
• Income-tax free money for your beneficiaries

We’re proud to offer a range of life-insurance services, from term, whole, universal, and other insurance plans self-serve. Our members also work with great advisors who can offer advice on the wide array of ways life insurance can be used to help with financial security.

Investment Guidance

As a member of Affinity Plus, you have access to advice from financial advisors at the Affinity Plus Investment Center**, who’ll meet with you to figure out the most appropriate of life insurance for your particular needs.

Set up an appointment today!

DISCLOSURE *TruStage® Term Life Insurance to Age 80 is made available through TruStage Insurance Agency, LLC and issued by CMFG Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 61 Waverly IA 50677. This is a term policy that increases when entering each five year band: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75. Renewable to age 80. Approval is based on your answers to the questions on the application. TruStage life insurance policies contain specific limitations, exclusions, termination provisions and requirements for keeping them in force. Please see your policy or contact us for full details. The insurance offered is not a deposit, and is not federally insured, sold or guaranteed by your credit union. Product and features may not be available in all states. For coverage amounts over $100,000 rates will be higher due to tobacco use. For coverage amounts up to $100,000 Base Policy Numbers: ICC16-A10a-039, A10a-039-2016. ©2020 TruStage Insurance Agency

**Representatives are registered, securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC , a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, which is not an affiliate of the credit union. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution to make securities available to members. Not NCUA/NCUSIF/FDIC insured, May Lose Value, No Financial Institution Guarantee. Not a deposit of any financial institution. FR, GEN-3195004.1-0820-0922