Here’s how it works

Step 1: A non-profit organisation applies to become a CSA recipient.

Step 2: Open a CSA account for your organisation to hold its funds. You will benefit from free internet and phone banking, and free transfers between BCU accounts. There are no minimum balance requirements and interest is calculated on a tiered basis. CSAs do not incur account keeping fees.

Step 3: Once approved, the organisation explains the benefits of opening a CSA to its own membership base. BCU can help with sample letters for mail-outs or suggestions for informing members through a newsletter.

Step 4: Promote, promote, promote!

Step 5: Each year, BCU donates the equivalent of 1% of the average annual balance of each CSA account back to its nominated recipient organisation. In the first year or two this amount may only be small, but as more people open CSAs linked to the recipient organisation; and as the savings of existing CSA holders grow, the donation gets bigger and bigger each year.

Spread the word

Want to increase the donation your group gets from BCU?
Here are our top tips for getting the most from the CSA program. Remember, all published promotions should be approved by BCU. Branch staff can help you arrange this.

1. Regular promotion is crucial. Talk about the CSA program whenever you get a chance to keep the support growing.
2. Use the form of promotion that suits you best. Mention this fundraising at a meeting or put it in the newsletter.
3. Make a place for CSA promotion on your website and make it prominent.
4. Good news brings good results. CSA recipients can request an estimate of progress from their branch manager.
5. Include the CSA program in everything you do. Christmas parties, meetings, newsletters – the works!
6. BCU is happy to help you promote the CSA program. Templates of letters and newsletter inserts are available. If you would like help drafting a speech or blurb, just let us know.
7. Be sure you always have plenty of CSA brochures on hand.
8. Have the CSA as a standing item in your annual report.
9. When thanking supporters, include a CSA brochure allowing them to extend their contribution.
10. Practice what you preach! Make sure your committee and staff are aware of the CSA program and support it.

From little things, big things grow!

The CSA program has only been running for two years.

In the first year, the top-earning organisations received about $400 each in donations from BCU, however this year our top earning recipient received more than $4,000 - thanks to increased community interest. That’s $4,000 towards administration costs, equipment or new and ongoing projects for very little effort at all.

This time last year BCU had registered 300 CSA accounts holding over $350,000 in deposits. Now, 12 months down the track, we have seen a 375% increase in CSA accounts.

The potential of this program is enormous. What will your group receive this year?

It’s never too late to raise awareness and maximise your fundraising dollars.