SHAZAM celebrates 50 grand years with $50,000 in community donations

For 50 years, SHAZAM^® has been committed to strengthening financial institutions and the communities they serve. To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we're donating $50,000 to nonprofits selected by the people who have made it all possible: our clients, board members, business partners and employees.

To date, SHAZAM has made more than 40 donations of $1,000 to nonprofits across the country. Each recipient was chosen for a special reason. Here are a few of the inspiring stories behind those selections and the messages of gratitude we've received.

Small gifts, big community impact

At this year’s Forum, SHAZAM’s premier client event, 10 attendees received a $1,000 donation for the nonprofit of their choice.

Becky Cera of Forward Bank in Mansfield, Wis., selected Marshfield Area United Way's Nutrition on Weekends program. NOW helps address childhood hunger in Marshfield and surrounding communities by providing weekend meals to more than 570 children who rely on school meals during the week.

"Forward Bank has been proud to support this effort through food donations and volunteer time," said Becky. "SHAZAM's donation will directly help combat childhood hunger and make a meaningful difference for children in need."

Krystal Johnson of State Bank of Graymont in Graymont, Ill., also received a $1,000 donation for the nonprofit of her choice. She selected the Chad David Johnson Memorial Food Pantry, which supports individuals and families throughout Livingston County with access to essential food resources. Krystal chose the organization because it serves the entire county and believes it can use the funding to update their equipment or purchase a new freezer or refrigerator.

Empowering communities through giving

In addition to the attendees selected at Forum, SHAZAM employees, board members and clients were given the opportunity to nominate a nonprofit to receive a $1,000 donation. Here are a few examples of the impact these gifts have made: 

SHAZAM client: Carie Collins, Citizens State Bank (New Strawn, Kansas)

Selected nonprofit: Ronald McDonald House

“What a wonderful surprise! I can’t thank you enough. The Ronald McDonald House has been such a blessing to our family this year, and I am thrilled they will benefit from these funds. This is another reason we  value our relationship with SHAZAM. Your support for your clients and their communities is awesome!”

SHAZAM employee: Tanya Merrell, Dispute & Recovery Services Specialist

Selected nonprofit: Forever Home Dog Rescue (Indianola, Iowa)

“Thank you for choosing us to receive one of your $1,000 donations! We will use your gift to help pay veterinary bills for a couple of our bottle babies who were very sick with a respiratory illness and required extensive care and respiratory testing.”

SHAZAM Board Member: Dave Cale, President & CEO, Financial Plus Credit Union

Selected nonprofit: Iowa Credit Union Foundation (West Des Moines, Iowa)

“Thank you for sharing this amazing news. We're thrilled that ICUF is the recipient of the SHAZAM grant. We are so grateful for all the work SHAZAM is doing to support communities across Iowa. Thank you so much, once again — this is the best start to the week.”

SHAZAM Board Member: Larry Winum, Chair & CEO, Glenwood State Bank

Selected nonprofit: Mills County Storehouse (Glenwood, Iowa)

“Thank you so much! We will likely use the donation to provide Easter hams for the more than 200 families who receive monthly pantry assistance from us. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!”

How SHAZAM gives back all year long

SHAZAM provides volunteer and charitable giving opportunities throughout the year to help make a difference in the communities we serve. We're proud, long-time supporters of community initiatives, as seen through our annual United Way campaign, sponsorships and employee volunteer time off program.

“A big part of our company culture is bringing employees together around a shared goal of giving back,” said SHAZAM EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer Jackie Rolow. “By empowering our people to make a difference, we strengthen not only our communities but also the relationships and pride that define who we are as an organization.”

About SHAZAM
SHAZAM, Inc. is an innovator in debit card transaction processing and a leader in the U.S. payments space. The independent, member-owned organization supports banks, credit unions, fintechs and other businesses by enabling the secure and efficient movement of funds across U.S. payment rail systems. For more than 50 years, SHAZAM has reinvested profits into products and services used daily by its clients. As real-time payments continue to evolve, SHAZAM remains focused on advancing the technology that powers fast, secure money movement.

Media contact: PR@shazam.net