Why Family Financial Credit Union Continues to Be EPIC with MIMF
The Michigan Irish Music Festival has always been about more than music. It is about culture, connection, volunteerism and giving back to the community that makes the festival possible.
Those values are a big reason why Family Financial Credit Union continues to serve as the presenting sponsor of MIMF.
Family Financial Credit Union, or FFCU, is guided by four core values: Empowerment, Pride, Integrity and Community. Together, those values form the credit union’s call to “Be EPIC.” They influence how FFCU serves its members, supports local organizations and chooses where to invest its time and resources throughout West Michigan.
The partnership with MIMF is a natural extension of that philosophy.
Each year, the festival brings thousands of people together at Heritage Landing while relying on the dedication of more than 1,600 volunteers. That community spirit extends well beyond festival weekend. Giving back has long been part of MIMF’s mission, including support for local food pantries and nonprofit organizations through cash contributions, food donations and other charitable efforts.
Since 2009, those efforts have resulted in upwards of $500,000 in cash and food donations to local food pantries and community organizations.
For FFCU, that commitment to making a measurable difference in the Muskegon community is an important part of what makes the partnership so meaningful.
“The Michigan Irish Music Festival represents so many of the things we value at Family Financial Credit Union,” said Deb Dietz, CEO of Family Financial Credit Union. “It brings people together, celebrates our community and, most importantly, gives back in a meaningful way. We are proud to support an organization that shares our belief that strong communities are built when people and organizations work together.”
Each of FFCU’s EPIC values can be seen throughout the festival.
Empowerment is reflected in the volunteers, nonprofit partners and community organizations that are given opportunities to make an impact. Pride can be seen in the celebration of Irish heritage and in the festival’s connection to Muskegon. Integrity is demonstrated through MIMF’s longstanding commitment to supporting local causes. And Community is at the center of it all, bringing people together for a weekend of celebration while generating an impact that lasts throughout the year.
That impact is also supported year-round through FFCU’s Michigan Irish Music Festival debit cards. Members can choose from three different MIMF card designs, available at any FFCU branch, and a portion of every purchase made with an MIMF debit card goes directly back to the festival. It is another way the partnership continues long after the tents come down and the final song is played.
That alignment has helped turn the relationship between FFCU and MIMF into much more than a traditional sponsorship.
“There are plenty of opportunities for a business to put its logo on an event, but the best partnerships are the ones where the organizations genuinely believe in the same things,” said Andrew Zahrt, Marketing Director at Family Financial Credit Union. “MIMF’s commitment to Muskegon, its volunteers and its charitable mission makes this a partnership we are incredibly proud to continue.”
As another Michigan Irish Music Festival approaches, the partnership serves as a reminder that a great community event can accomplish much more than creating a memorable weekend.
It can bring people together, celebrate what makes a community special and create opportunities to give back.
For Family Financial Credit Union, that is what it means to Be EPIC.
