Overview
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
From donations to sponsorships, we seek to uplift the Fairbanks community.
We believe community contributions of all kinds are important, which is why we have made donations to many local organizations and events: Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Alaska Nanooks, Alaska Goldpanners, Fairbanks Youth Soccer Association, the UAF School of Management and more.
Spirit of Alaska also contributes to our schools and provides support for great non-profits such as the Fairbanks Resource Agency and Literacy Council of Alaska who are working hard to improve our community and make life here in Fairbanks better for everyone.
Making a difference in the place we live and love
- Provide major sponsorship to iconic Fairbanks organizations
- Support our school system & sports teams
- Provide in-kind banner printing and advertising to non-profits
- Display local events on our Johansen video board
- Provide free financial education opportunities to schools and organizations
Cheers for Gears
Through our program, Cheers for Gears, we team up with community partners to nominate and gift bikes to deserving children across Interior Alaska—empowering their sense of freedom and fun. Each bike represents more than a ride—it’s a boost of confidence and a celebration of community. Since 2019, Spirit of Alaska has partnered with the FNSBSD Summer Elementary Academy of Science and Technology (EAST) to identify children in need.
Supporting the Educational Community
Spirit of Alaska Credit Union got its start as a caring credit union founded by teachers. We continue to support our schools and the university through our business partnerships in the past and moving forward.
We also provide free financial education curriculum through Banzai! to select schools in the area, as well as regularly attending Get Real Financial Reality Fairs in concert with other business volunteers.
Bringing Financial Literacy to Interior Alaska Schools
We’re proud to bring Banzai, an award-winning financial literacy program, to students across the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. Through interactive lessons and real-world scenarios, Banzai empowers kids and teens to build money management skills that last a lifetime. Below are the schools where we currently support financial education.
- Alternative Learning Systems
- Anne Wien Elementary
- Arctic Light Elementary
- Badger Road Elementary
- Barnette Magnet School
- Career Education Center
- Cook Inlet Academy
- Crawford Elementary
- Denali Elementary
- Effie Kokrine Charter School
- Hunter Elementary
- Hutchison High School
- Idea Homeschool
- Immaculate Conception School
- Interior Distance Education of AK (Idea)
- Ladd Elementary
- Lathrop High School
- Monroe Catholic Jr/Sr High School
- North Pole Elementary
- North Pole High School
- North Pole Middle School
- Randy Smith Middle School
- Ryan Middle School
- Salcha Elementary
- Star of the North Secondary School
- Tanana Middle School
- Ticasuk Brown Elementary
- University Park Elementary
- Weller Elementary
- West Valley High School
- Woodriver Elementary
I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am that Spirit of Alaska has sponsored my class for Banzai this year. I’m combining it with a deep dive into financial literacy in language arts this week and my kids are thoroughly enjoying it all. I love teaching them about financial matters and I feel it is very necessary curriculum. Thank you for providing them with the opportunity! – Karen Powell, 5th Grade, Weller Elementary
University School Partnerships
- UAF School of Management Business Leader of the Year Awards Banquet
- UAF School of Management Virtual Reality Lab
- University of Alaska Foundation
- UAF Student Investment Fund
- UAF School of Management Professionally Prepared Program
- UAF Nanooks Rifle
- UAF Nanooks Hockey
Past & Present Additional Community Support
The following organizations received support in the past, or are continuing to receive support and contributions:
Sports
- UAF Nanooks Hockey
- UAF Nanooks Rifle
- North Pole Championships
- Arctic Winter Games
- Hockey Week in Fairbanks
- Eclipse Soccer
- Fairbanks Youth Soccer Association
- Alaska International Senior Games
- West Valley Boys Soccer
- North Pole Junior Sled Dog Races
- Alaska Lady Rebels
- US Ski & Snowboard Junior Championships
- Fairbanks Hockey Club
- Girls and Boys Club of Fairbanks
Non-profit Organizations
- Literacy Council of Alaska
- Fairbanks Resource Agency
- Breast Cancer Research Center
- Fairbanks Counseling & Adoption
- Salvation Army – Angel Trees
- Alaska Center for Children and Adults
- 4H
- Future Farms of America
- Fairbanks Community Food Bank
- Interior Green Star
- Immaculate Conception Soup Kitchen
- The Door- Youth Advocacy
- Carol Brice Center
- Companion’s Inc
- Fairbanks Concert Association
- Fairbanks Drama Association
- Fairbanks Native Association
Community Organizations
- Youth Safety Day
- Ice Alaska
- Christmas in Ice
- Plenty for All Thru Art
- Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce
- This Generation Ministries & Camp Nashii
- Fairbanks Sweet Adelines
- Alaska Peace Officers Association Farthest North Chapter
- Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers
- Fairbanks Community Cooperative Market
- Opera Fairbanks
- Northland Youth Choir
- Midnight Sun Boy Scouts Council
- Eielson AFB – Air Show
- Alaska State Firefighters Association
Request a Donation
While our budget is limited, we do consider every written request. You can fill out our online Donation Request Form, or submit a request to:
Karalee Watts, VP Marketing & Community Relations
Spirit of Alaska Credit Union
1417 Gillam Way
Fairbanks, AK 99701
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Spirit of Alaska supports a wide variety of organizations, services, and non-profits in the Greater Fairbanks area. Generally, our goal is to make financial or in-kind contributions that are supported by our members. We started as a teacher’s credit union in 1960 and so education-based organizations and events are important to us.
Our budget is very limited, but we do consider every submitted written request. Educational and Service-oriented groups and events are given top-most consideration.
We prefer to give in-kind contributions and can offer support marketing to your campaign or event. Monetary support is most commonly given to charitable groups, services, or educational events.
"Thank you so much for going above and beyond to help us with our banners. We appreciate it so much!!"
The Joel's Place Crew