Teachers Credit Union has been given the 2010 Sustainability Award by the mutual financial services sector industry body Abacus, for its Teachers Environment Fund.
Launched in March 2008, the Teachers Environment Fund is Teachers Credit Union’s initiative to assist public schools and TAFEs to enhance their sustainability. The Fund allocates grants of up to $5,000 each bi-annually to public schools and TAFEs in NSW, ACT, NT and WA for environmental projects.
The Abacus Sustainability Award recognises sustainability initiatives by credit unions and mutual building societies that positively benefit the environment or community.
Teachers Environment Fund grants are allocated for school or TAFE projects that focus on: water and energy saving; composting and recycling; tree planting and biodiversity; or any suitable environmental project.
To date, the Teachers Environment Fund has distributed just over $170,000 to a total of 47 schools and 2 TAFEs across the credit union’s states of operation. Over forty thousand dollars of this total was contributed by the credit union on behalf of members who switched from paper to online statements.
“The Teachers Environment Fund underpins our approach to sustainability,” said Steve James, CEO of Teachers Credit Union.
“We recognise that success cannot be measured just in terms of profits and growth, but how we relate to the community and the ways in which we minimise our environmental impact.”
“Through the Teachers Environment Fund, the Credit Union is helping teachers bring to life their sustainability projects. We want to support projects which provide a resource for the school, as well as a practical teaching example that embed sustainability into students’ thinking”, Steve James explained.
Applications for the Teachers Environment Fund will open again in February 2011. Any public schools and TAFEs in NSW, ACT, NT and WA can apply, and applicants do not have to be a member of Teachers Credit Union.
Media contact:
Gillian Tatt, Senior PR Officer, Teachers Credit Union ph: 0448 259 942.