Impact
Sponsorships
As a Financial Cooperative, we use a portion of our revenue to support organizations that are important to our member-owners. Like us on Facebook to see what we’ve been up to!
If you would like us to get involved with your organization, click here to set up a time to invite us over or discuss further!
Through donations, sponsorships, and volunteer efforts, we have proudly supported the following organizations:
Des Moines Police Department
Des Moines Police Academy
Des Moines Police Burial Association
Des Moines Police Retirees
Iowa Law Enforcement Academy
Iowa Hero Academy
Folds of Honor-Iowa Chapter
HEROES Guiding Heroes
Urbandale Schools and Alumni Foundation
Urbandale Police National Night Out
Banzai sponsored schools
Indian Hills, Moore, Merrill, Meredith, Roosevelt, St Pius
School to Work programs
Johnston High School and Urbandale High School
Iowa State Sheriff’s & Deputies Association
Iowa Association of School Resource Officers
Iowa COPS
Urbandale Police Department
Guns N Hoses
Iowa Narcotics Association
Iowa Professional Firefighters
Iowa Crisis Negotiators
Windsor Heights Police Department
City of Pleasant Hill
West Des Moines Fire Department
Norwalk Police Department
Easter Seals
Food Bank of Iowa
DMARC
Iowa Association of Women Police
Central Campus
O’Donnell Charities
Scholarships
Serve Credit Union Annual Scholarship Program
Serve Credit Union proudly offers annual Secondary Education Scholarships to eligible applicants! Applications are typically available from the First Business Day in January - Last Business Day in February. During that time, an online application will be available!
Warren A Morrow Memorial Scholarship - promoted by SCU
The Iowa Credit Union Foundation offers an annual scholarship program available to members of any Iowa Credit Union. Applications are typically due in February. During that time, a link to that application will be available on our holiday and events page.
Folds of Honor - promoted by SCU
Serve Credit Union proudly supports Folds of Honor - Iowa - with Scholarship opportunities for the families of fallen or disabled Military and First Responders
2026 Annual SCU Scholarship Recipients!
Congratulations to the 2026 Annual SCU Scholarship recipients, each receiving $1,000 towards their higher education!
Alyssa Eginoire
University of Iowa - Psychology, Criminology, and Forensic Psychology
“One of the most prominent issues facing my community today is the growing mental health crisis among young people. Anxiety, depression, trauma, and feelings of isolation are increasingly common, yet access to early support and prevention resources often falls short. I feel passionate about addressing this issue because mental health directly impacts the strength, safety, and resilience of a community.
This issue is personal to me. My father is a Fire Captain with the Des Moines Fire Department, and growing up in a first responder family has shaped how I see community service. I’ve witnessed firsthand the emotional toll that crisis, trauma, and stress place not only on individuals in need, but also on the first responders who serve them. I’ve learned that behind every emergency call is a person—and often a family—experiencing one of the most difficult moments of their lives. I have also seen my dad help his coworkers as a member of the DMFD Peer Support Team as well as through founding and leading Folds of Honor Iowa. Those experiences have inspired my desire to serve others by focusing on prevention, education, and early intervention.
As a future psychology major and Air Force ROTC cadet, I believe strong communities are built by addressing challenges before they become emergencies. When mental health needs go unmet, they can lead to academic struggles, substance abuse, crime, and long-term instability. However, when communities invest in education and early support, individuals are better equipped to cope with stress, make healthy decisions, and contribute positively to society.
If given the resources, I would help create accessible mental health prevention programs for youth and young adults. These programs would include school-based workshops focused on coping skills, emotional regulation, and stress management, as well as mentorship opportunities that connect students with trusted adults. Normalizing conversations around mental health would reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek help earlier.
I would also support trauma-informed training for educators, community leaders, and first responders. Providing tools to recognize early warning signs and respond with empathy strengthens both public safety and community trust. Supporting those who serve—like firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and military service members—helps ensure they can continue protecting our community effectively and sustainably.
Serve Credit Union’s mission to strengthen the communities it serves resonates deeply with me, especially given its roots in supporting Des Moines Police and Fire Department members. Through my education in psychology and leadership training in Air Force ROTC, I hope to honor that legacy by serving with understanding, compassion, and purpose. By investing in mental health awareness and prevention, we can build a community that is safer, stronger, and better prepared for the future. ”
Lauren Hahn
University of Kansas - Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
“While “community” can refer to the physical environment or the people we live with, it can also be understood as a more abstract idea: a sense of connection and fellowship. For this essay, I will use the term “community” to describe the design world and the collective responsibility that we, as designers, have towards the people we serve.
A common issue that the world of design is facing today is creating universally inclusive spaces for all ranges of physical and mental abilities. Many people assume that inclusive design means that everyone will have a fair shot at entering and being within a space. While this is partially correct, inclusive design does not account for various disabilities and often has a central focus solely on wheelchair users.
On the other hand, universal design is a process of designing that accommodates as many abilities and disabilities as possible. This includes but is not limited to: neurodivergences (ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia, OCD, etc.), vision impairments, hearing impairments, age differences, differences in body types, wheelchair bound users, and many more.
While inclusivity is fundamental to a building/location's design and layout, designers and architects are currently focusing all their resources and knowledge on this idea. This means that other disabilities are beginning to become more ignored in the design community because the focus lies mainly on wheelchair ADA accessibility. In reality, we should be branching out of this dated mindset, turning our focus to designing for all users equally.
If given the resources and abilities, I would advocate for governing powers to recognize universal design as a mandatory section within the ADA guidelines. If recognized, it would mean that architectural and design firms would be required to incorporate elements of universal design into new constructions. Over time, this would lead to not only more accessibility but also an overall happier and healthier lifestyle.
Upon entering buildings, people would feel safer, happier, and more welcomed. Architectural requirements would improve across the nation, directly influencing an improved social impact. Because of elements such as easier circulation and layouts, users will have less anxiety when entering an unfamiliar space. Similarly, elements such as tactile flooring and materials can help a visually impaired person navigate their environment on their own, promoting a feeling of independence and control. Other design changes could include mandatory sensory spaces for overstimulated individuals, helping them to ground themselves.
Overall, a change to the regulations of ADA is a necessary transformation within the design community. Inclusive design may have served its purpose in the past, but it no longer meets the needs of today’s diverse population. Our built environments have evolved, and the people who inhabit them deserve spaces that truly reflect their needs. No one, regardless of ability, should ever feel overlooked or unwelcome in a space meant for everyone. If we continue relying on this outdated approach, we will only forward patterns of exclusion. Universal design is the wake-up call our community can no longer ignore, and the acceptance of it must begin now.”
Mallory Lovejoy
University of Nebraska Omaha - Pre-Med
“One issue facing my community that I feel deeply passionate about is the limited acceptance and opportunity for girls in sports, particularly male-sports, and in my case football. As a female kicker on the boys’ football team at Southeast Polk High School, a dominant football program with a four-peat state championship legacy, I experienced firsthand what it means to challenge expectations and redefine belonging.
When I first joined the team, it was completely unexpected. Many of the players doubted me, and even a few coaches questioned whether I truly belonged. Being underestimated made every practice and game more difficult; not just physically, but mentally. However, within a matter of months, doubt turned into respect. I went from being seen as “the girl” to being one of the guys, earning my place through consistency, resilience, and performance. Competing at the varsity level showed me who I really am and unlocked a confidence I had never known before.
Football taught me how to believe in myself. Before joining the team, I struggled with confidence to the point that I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror. Stepping onto the field in front of thousands of people forced me to confront fear head-on. Becoming the first girl to score in a 5A football game in Iowa was not just a milestone, it was proof that I was capable of far more than I had ever been led to believe. That moment represented growth, courage, and perseverance.
Despite progress, many girls in my community are still discouraged from participating in sports like football due to outdated stereotypes and a lack of visible role models. When young girls do not see themselves represented, they begin to believe certain spaces are not meant for them. This limits confidence, leadership development, and long-term potential. In the few years that I played football, I had a bunch of encounters with younger girls, even my sister, who said they want to be just like me.
If given the resources, I would work to create opportunities that encourage and support girls in all sports, including football. This would include funding for inclusive athletic programs, mentorship opportunities pairing young girls with female athletes who have broken barriers, and education for coaches to foster environments built on respect and belief rather than assumptions. I would also advocate for celebrating girls’ achievements publicly, helping normalize their presence and success in competitive athletics.
Serve Credit Union’s mission to strengthen the communities it serves aligns with my belief that real change begins when everyone is given an equal chance to succeed. Supporting girls in athletics does more than build athletes: it builds confident leaders, teammates, and individuals who carry resilience into every aspect of life. Football changed how I see myself, and I am committed to helping create a future where no girl has to fight to prove she belongs. ”