Cash Back to the Community

Quarter One

The Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra, Bristol

The Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra providing classical music concerts and musical services for Connecticut communities.  The Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra, collaborates with local schools and school systems to strengthen school music programs through performance.

“Compelled by the need to build the next generation of music lovers, Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra plans to expand the Children’s Music Program over the next few years with this generous gift,” said Jeffrey Myshrall, President. “A core program of the orchestra is its annual Educational Children's Concerts produced for elementary children from area school systems. These concerts serve up to 3,000 children. The Nutmeg Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition is available to high school musicians participating in the music programs of school systems in Hartford and Litchfield Counties.”

The Enfield Soccer Association, Enfield

The Enfield Soccer Association (ESA) focuses on developing youth soccer players of all abilities in a safe, fun, and positive environment. With more than 1,000 youth in their program, they strive to provide players with a high level of coaching by incorporating the best training available. ESA is also driven to help its players mature as productive members of society by encouraging the development of important life skills, motivating them to be the best version of themselves.

“In order to allow participation from families from a wide array of economic backgrounds, the Enfield Soccer Association aims to keep participation fees low. We rely heavily on sponsors and donations to help supplement our programs,” said Jeff Rousseau, President.  “We have families in Enfield that can't afford costs associated with playing soccer.  The Enfield Soccer Association will use portions of this donation to help defray costs for Enfield families that have experienced financial hardships. Additionally, we will plan on using portions of this donation for community soccer events, coaches training, and player training. The Enfield Soccer Association is very appreciative of this generous donation from American Eagle Financial Credit Union.  This donation will positively impact our membership in very meaningful ways.”

Master’s Manna, Wallingford

Master’s Manna was established in Wallingford in 2006 to serve people experiencing homelessness, near homelessness, as well as low-to-moderate income families and residents who face food insecurity in the greater Wallingford/Meriden area. Its primary goals include: reducing food insecurity, providing intervention, mental and physical health support services, and making vocational & educational opportunities available to decrease poverty.

“This generous donation will enable us to continue to provide needed food for more than 500 families each week,” said Nancy Stockman, Executive Director.

Quarter Four

Quarter Three

Enfield Food Shelf

Enfield Food Shelf serves the Enfield community, so no family goes without food assistance. They collaborate with nearly 40 local and statewide organizations to meet the needs of the people in their community. In addition to offering a food pantry, where residents can go in once a week and “grocery shop,” they offer emergency assistance, food for seniors that is delivered, a mobile food pantry, and before and after school snack program, sidewalk food pantry, and Lunch Link, their summer food insecurity program to help parents when their children are home for the summer. Learn more by visiting their website.

“I am so thankful to everyone at American Eagle and to all those who voted for Enfield Food Shelf to receive the American Eagle Community Award.  This is an incredibly generous donation.  It will provide enough groceries for our shopping families to enjoy 38,300 meals together.  These meals provide an important bridge for families between their available resources and their actual needs. We are so grateful to American Eagle for being such a strong and dedicated partner."

Windsor Education Foundation

Founded in 2007, the Windsor Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, awards grants to local public school educators for creative teaching projects and programs.  Learn more by visiting their website.

“For 16 years, Windsor Education Foundation has supported Windsor teachers by awarding over 145 grants, enabling experiential learning opportunities that ignite student passions. As a nonprofit, we rely on donations and fundraising to fund these grants. The generous donation from American Eagle Financial Credit Union ensures that we can continue to provide educational experiences beyond the classroom, year after year, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership in this journey.”

Windsor Food & Fuel Bank     

Since 1967, Windsor Food & Fuel Bank’s mission has been to ensure that no member of the Windsor community is hungry, cold, or without basic necessities. They work in close partnership with the Town of Windsor's Social Services department to provide programs for town residents who experience food insecurity, challenges with fuel and utility costs, or who need essential services or assistance. Learn more by visiting their website.

“We are incredibly grateful to American Eagle Financial Credit Union for this generous donation of $9,212.33. This support allows us to continue expanding vital services, such as providing nutritious food, emergency assistance, and essential items to those in our community who need it most. Every dollar contributes to strengthening our programs, and this donation will make an immediate and lasting impact in addressing food insecurity and supporting families in Windsor."

Quarter Two

Friends of Camp Neipsic

Since 2014, the Friends of Camp Neipsic mission has been simple, to preserve and promote open space for youth to engage in outdoor activities in Glastonbury, CT. Learn more by visiting their website.

“The Friends of Camp Neipsic, Inc. extends gratitude to American Eagle FCU for providing the single largest monetary donation in its history,” said Kenneth Kulo, President of The Friends of Camp Neipsic, Inc.  “American Eagle FCU’s support will have a lasting impact by helping to ensure we meet our long-term goals, which include driveway improvements, modernized privy construction, and pavilion creation.”

Save All Dogs

Save All Dogs rescue offers a safe haven for unwanted, homeless, and abandoned dogs and cats from kill shelters, bad conditions such as mills, and animals in danger of euthanasia that are in need of loving forever homes. Learn more by visiting their website.

“Thank you American Eagle Financial Credit Union! We are super appreciative to have received this grant! This will help us with renovations, vet care, and food for our amazing rescued animals!“

North Haven Historical Society

The NHHS mission works on building for the future on the foundations of our past and the money received from American Eagle FCU is going towards creating a permanent Quinnipiac Indian exhibit. Learn more by visiting their website.

“The North Haven Historical Society is profoundly grateful for the support of the American Eagle Financial Credit Union. The funds will enable us to create a permanent exhibit using our collection of artifacts from North Haven’s First Inhabitants, the Quinnipiac People. This collection has been curated by archaeology students and needs to be housed appropriately. There is space available at the Cultural Center, but it needs to be outfitted with display and storage furnishings, as well as signage. Thanks to this funding, this project can now move forward.”

Quarter One

Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc.

Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc. at Playhouse on Park is devoted to the art of theatre and they strive to be a place for artists, educators and admirers alike to enjoy entertainment and learn through different outreach opportunities. Learn more by visiting their website.

"A part of Playhouse on Park's mission is to provide quality entertainment at affordable costs to as broad an audience as possible, which means keeping ticket costs as low as we possibly can. Because of the generosity of American Eagle Financial Credit Union and the support of our community, the task of making live, professional theatre and theatre-arts educational programming more accessible to Greater Hartford (and beyond) is possible."

A Place Called Hope

Specializing in rescuing and releasing, when possible, birds of prey in Connecticut, A Place Called Hope is making a difference in the lives of injured, orphaned or ill birds of prey in the community. Learn more by visiting their website.

"This generous donation from the American Eagle Financial Credit Union will directly benefit the many birds at A Place Called Hope. This funding will be used to purchase the necessary food for predatory birds. This financial contribution will help us to continue to provide the top-quality care our birds deserve. We are so very grateful for this community support. It came when we needed it most."

Gentle Love Connections

Based out of Manchester, Gentle Love Connections is working to ensure families in the greater Manchester area have access to basic needs for their babies. Working to bridge the gap between government assistance that doesn’t cover childcare items, Gentle Love Connections is determined to support as many families as possible. Learn more by visiting their website.

“On behalf of the entire team at Gentle Love Connections, we are thrilled to accept this grant award. Since our founding nearly four years ago, we’ve distributed 400,000 diapers to low-income children in Greater Manchester, East of the River.”

• During each nominating period, members and nonmembers may nominate a nonprofit or 501(c)(3) organization through American Eagle’s website, social media, or email.
• An organization only needs to be nominated once for consideration on the voting ballot.
• American Eagle employees, their families, and board members are eligible to submit nominations.
• AEFCU will screen each nominee according to the Cash Back to the Community eligibility guidelines and determine the final list of nominees each quarter.
• Nomination link is only available during the nominations periods listed above.

• During the voting period, share the link with anyone you wish and encourage others to vote!
• One entry per email address is permitted. 
• At the end of the nomination period, qualified nominees will be placed on the ballot for voting through a link on American Eagle’s website, social media, or email.
• One vote per email address per quarter is permitted.
• Individuals are encouraged to share the voting link with others.
• American Eagle employees, their families, and board members are also eligible to vote.
• AEFCU will screen each group according to the Cash Back to the Community eligibility guidelines and determine the final voting ballot list each quarter.
• At the end of the voting period, the top three vote-getting organizations will receive a donation from American Eagle.
• In the event of a tie, American Eagle employees will vote to determine the winner.
• Voting link is only available during the voting periods listed above.

Organization Eligibility Guidelines

• All previous Cash Back to the Community donation recipients are excluded from participation.
• Organizations who receive a sponsorship, donation, or grant of $2,000 or greater, during the same calendar year, are excluded from participation.
• Organization must be not-for-profit and/or a 501(c)(3) organization.
• Organizations must operate under best practices for governance (e.g., have a board that meets regularly, provide financial oversight of the organization, etc.).
• Board of directors and staff are representative of the racial/ethnic diversity of the region served.
• Organization must not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected classes as required by law.
• Results are outcomes that last, not just annual activities and one-time events.
• Organizations or causes should positively and directly impact our community versus large, national organizations.
• At least 75% of the organization’s expenses should be spent directly on their programs.
• Organization should not receive taxpayer funding and must be based within and benefit the residents of Hartford, Middlesex, New Haven, and Tolland Counties in Connecticut or Hampden County, Massachusetts.
• AEFCU reserves the right to disqualify organizations that support topics likely to give rise to public disagreement.
• AEFCU reserves the right to award one like winning organization per quarter (e.g. Food Pantry, Animal Shelter, etc.) and select alternative winners as necessary.
• AEFCU reserves the right to make adjustments to the eligibility guidelines as needed during the course of the year.

Excluded Organizations

• Political organizations.
• Religious organizations.
• Town libraries, parks & recreation, police, fire, and ambulance departments.
• Public and private schools and school affiliated programs (PTO/PTA, sports, clubs, and related activities).