During the past few years as the recession lifted, poor andmiddle-class Americans gave more to charity, while wealthytaxpayers donated less, according to a report by The Chronicle ofPhilanthropy.

How did credit unions fare on charitable giving this year?

“In 2014, we've seen a higher level of engagement and activityfrom credit unions at the National Credit Union Foundation,”Gigi Hyland, executive director of the NCUF, said. “Creditunions are incredibly generous as they also give to their localcharities, state credit union foundations and other charitableefforts, such as Credit Unions for Kids, which also has seenincreased participation. In addition, there are countless hours ofvolunteering around financial education.”

For many credit unions, donations took a dive during therecession, but most bounced back, according to industryinsiders.

“Whether it be by their philanthropic efforts or day-to-dayoperations, credit unions are improving the financial well-being oftheir members every day,” Hyland said.

The $1.7 billion GTE Financial in Tampa, Fla., plans to wrap up 2014 with acharitable bang.

“We definitely expect to end 2014 meeting or exceeding lastyear's contributions,” Joe Brancucci, president/CEO of GTEFinancial, said.

The credit union has already raised more than $150,000 this yearand its big annual fundraiser is in full swing, he added. GTEFinancial hopes to top last year's $320,000 contribution of in-kindand monetary donations, he said.

“Our credit union approaches charitable giving fluidly, so wedon't limit our ability to give with a set budget for annualcontributions at an enterprise level,” Brancucci said. “Thisflexible philosophy allows us to give as we grow and as compellinginitiatives arise.”

“We have the unique ability and belief that when we grow, ourobligation and privilege is to do more and return more,” hecontinued. “For this reason, our goal is to always surpass ourefforts of the year before so we can benefit more people.”

Philanthropy benefits communities and credit unions, saidBrancucci, who was CU Times' 2013 Trailblazer CEO of the Year.

“What the GTE Financial brand stands for is important,” headded. “Being recognized as a philanthropic leader in thecommunities we serve and knowing we make a difference in the livesof others is the biggest benefit of all. Our charitableinvolvements encourage others to get involved, amplifying ourefforts and positive impact. That's a powerful thing.”

Read more: Six-figure donation from Hanscom…

The $1 billion Hanscom Federal Credit Union also hit a charitable grand slamthis year.

“We have definitely increased our charitable giving this year,”Patricia Warden-Conty, marketing communications manager at thecooperative headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base inMassachusetts.

Hanscom FCU Charitable Foundation donated $100,000 to supportRun to Home Base, a fundraising campaign that benefits the HomeBase Program, a collaborative effort of the Red Sox Foundation andMassachusetts General Hospital, Warden-Conty said. Credit unionofficials are shown above presenting a check for the largeamount.

The program has helped more 1,000 veterans and their families tocope with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.

As part of the partnership, Hanscom FCU will be among thesponsors at the 2015 Run to Home Base, a fundraiser at Boston'sFenway Park. The credit union was also one of the sponsors of HomeBase Program's Mission Gratitude, a Nov. 10 fundraiser in Bostonthat featured musician and actor Harry Connick, Jr.

“This is an amazing, exciting addition to the group oforganizations that Hanscom FCU Charitable Foundation is proud tocall partners and friends,” Alan Hart, chair of Hanscom FCUCharitable Foundation, said.

The $2 billion Summit Credit Union in Madison, Wis., said itincreased charitable giving by 13% between 2013 and 2014.

“The increase was to support new communities we are serving,”Joanne Belanger, vice president of PR and digital marketing forSummit, said.

One of the credit union's main priorities is the Boys &Girls Club of Dane County's STAR or Saving to Achieve ResultsCredit Union. Summit President/CEO Kim Sponem, a 2014 CUTimes Women to Watch honoree, co-founded the youth-chartered creditunion.

As part of its human resources policy, Summit pays all full-timeemployees eight hours of volunteer time annually to volunteer witha local charity of their choice, Belanger said.

“We try to pair our financial giving with other involvement,such as volunteer opportunities for our employees or providingfinancial education to the clients of the non-profitorganizations,” she explained.

Read more: Xceed doubles up …

The $810 millionXceed Financial plans to donate about twice as much this year toits charity of choice – Children's Miracle Network Hospitals,according to Teresa Freeborn, president/CEO of the credit union in ElSegundo, Calif. Freeborn is shown at left participating in acharity race event.

“Giving back to our community is a priority that ties into ourcore mission here at Xceed and we're delighted to be on track toraise more than $50,000 in donations this year,” Freeborn said.

Last year, the credit union raised about $27,000 for CMN, sheadded.

“This year, we focused on more high-impact, but lesstime-intensive activities, tying some of them into our big 50thanniversary celebration events,” Freeborn said.

Last year's activities included hosting a “Happy Hour for aCause” and “Lunch for a Cause” for Xceed Financial's members andthe community in El Segundo, she noted.

In 2013, Xceed Financial's total corporate giving was $71,735and the credit union seems to be on track to donate about the sameamount this year, Freeborn said. Total corporate giving from Jan. 1to Oct. 31, 2013 was $59,135 and for the same time period thisyear, the total decreased 3.47% to $57,083.

“We also make room in our charitable giving budget each year tosupport organizations and initiatives that are important to ourindustry,” Freeborn said.

For example, Xceed Financial said it makes annual contributionsto the Richard Myles Johnson Foundation, the National Credit UnionFoundation, The Shapiro Group, and Credit Union House, as well asthe World Council of Credit Unions and its Global Women'sLeadership Network.

“It's just the right thing to do, but it's also a smartinvestment in the credit union movement and we feel strongly thatevery credit union should do the same,” Freeborn said. “Giving backto our community is a priority that ties into our core mission hereat Xceed.”