Small Change...Big Difference Collection Box Campaign

Companion poster to help promote the campaign. Click to download.

Thank you for using the Small Change, Big Difference coin box to help WOCCU alleviate global poverty through credit unions. With your support and the support of your members, WOCCU helps millions worldwide save money and secure affordable loans through credit unions, empowering families to work their way out of poverty.  

Place the box near a teller window during high member-traffic periods, designated promotional times, or place the box in a central location and download the companion poster to place at each teller window or in various locations around the branch. Intended for 8.5"x11" printing.

Note: There is a space at the bottom of the poster for you to run it through your printer to add information on where your box is located
or promote any special offers connected with the campaign.

To order collection boxes, send your name, address and number of branches to Valerie Breunig, WF executive director: vbreunig@woccu.org or call 608-395-2055.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where and when can we use these boxes?

You can use the boxes any time of year that fits your charitable or promotional schedule. Consider tying the box's use to October Cooperative Month or International Credit Union Day (third Thursday in October), or during the weeks preceding your annual general meeting to promote your membership in the greater credit union system.

The boxes can be placed by teller windows and staff break rooms, passed at board meetings, given to your organizational sponsors—anywhere your members will see them and the money will be safe. There is also a companion 8.5" x 11" poster (above) to display at each teller or forms station.

How will the money be used?

All proceeds will be used by WOCCU for the credit union start-up fund, to help develop credit unions in developing countries to help the working poor lift themselves from poverty. Last year's "Small Change...Big Difference" campaign donations were used as seed funds resulting in additional match funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This project currently is developing methodologies that credit unions in Colombia, Kenya and Rwanda can use to successfully provide safe savings and small loans to the poorest of the poor, those earning less than US$2/day. Last year's funds also paid for school uniforms for HIV/AIDS orphans living near our Kenya project.

After collection, how do we send the contributions to WOCCU? Are gifts tax deductible?

The easiest method of transmitting funds is to use a credit card at www.woccu.org/give. There is also information on the site about using bank transfers and where to mail checks in U.S. dollars drawn from a U.S. institution. Donations are received by WOCCU's charitable arm, the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions (WF). WF is registered in the United States, so gifts are U.S. tax deductible. One acknowledgment will be sent to the organization/person sending the wire or credit card gift. If you desire separate donor receipts or recognition, please contact Jeri Davis, WF specialist, jdavis@woccu.org or by phone at 608-395-2088.

How can our credit union/organization tie this into our communications?

Membership/Product Promotions—Need a new twist on a membership or product promotion? Tell your members that a donation of any size to the Small Change...Big Difference campaign will result in a special premium, loan or savings rate, for example. This will build in learning about the credit union difference to your members with a promotion. You can use the supplemental poster to promote your special offer. Contact Valerie Breunig, WF executive director at vbreunig@woccu.org or by phone at 608-395-2055 for photos or sample copy needed for ads and statement inserts.

Annual Meeting

Credit Unions are often looking for ways to increase attendance or informational relevance at their annual meeting. Taking a collection at the door or during the meeting, perhaps while showing slides of credit union members in developing countries, communicates to members their role in the global credit union system. WOCCU brochures, stories, photos are available upon request.

International Credit Union (ICU) Day^®

Celebrate ICU Day in a tangible way by asking members to support international credit union development; perhaps the credit union can match their donations. Send a news release to the local media before and after on your results. Download the poster above to help promote your efforts to support global credit union development in celebration of ICU Day. Learn more about ICU Day 

Staff Recruitment, Training and Satisfaction

Supporting international development through credit unions is another way to make your staff realize the importance of their work. Have a WOCCU brochure in your recruitment materials; talk about your WOCCU support during new staff orientation; highlight ICU Day during an annual staff meeting. Stories and information are available from Valerie Breunig, WF executive director, vbreunig@woccu.org, by phone at 608-395-2055 or at www.woccu.org.

Board Training

Boards and volunteers also benefit from learning about the greater credit union system and how WOCCU helps alleviate poverty through credit unions. Consider sending your board to the World Credit Union Conference, held annually each July, or by getting them involved in helping with ICU Day and/or the Small Change...Big Difference campaign locally.

Legislative Influence and Community Involvement

When your community involvement starts in your postal code and ends with a credit union on the other side of the world, you've made a statement about your commitment to the global credit union community and helping people who need help the most. If you participate in the Small Change...Big Difference campaign, be sure to tell your lawmakers, stakeholders, media and community. Taking part in a specific project like this will educate your stakeholders on the credit union difference in a tangible way.

Best of luck using this campaign for the benefit of your credit union and to further alleviate poverty through credit unions globally. Thank you again for supporting World Council of Credit Unions and our efforts to help people improve their lives through credit unions.