At SELCO, the best interests of our members and communities drive every decision we make.
In 2024, we remained focused on contributing to and expanding our community initiatives. What came of it? Some significant improvements.
Steps Up Launch
To address how we met the needs of our community, we reimagined and expanded our community involvement program by launching Steps Up. In the program’s first year, we donated more than $443,000 to community giving, student and educator support, and financial education. Not only did we provide funding for our nonprofit and educational causes, but we also offered up our time, contributing 1,000-plus hours of team member volunteering.
Investing in Education
Of the total that SELCO donated in the first year of Steps Up, $42,000 was awarded to three schools in different regions of Oregon through SELCO’s Classroom Makeovers. This program funds classroom transformations aiming to inspire students and develop their love of learning. The three Classroom Makeover recipients in 2024 were Prairie Mountain School in Eugene, Jefferson Elementary School in Jefferson, and Caldera High School in Bend.
We’re ecstatic about the inaugural Classroom Makeover winners and will continue to fund these transformations for years to come, along with our Creative Educator Grants. The two form our educator initiatives, welcoming applications each year for K-12 educators, opening on August 15 and closing on September 30.
Our scholarship program also received an upgrade in 2024, expanding eligibility to vocational, continuing, and non-traditional students for the first time. We also increased the total amount awarded by nearly 50%, providing $77,500 to our recipients.
