Raleigh, NC – During a November 13th event held at the NC Museum of History in Raleigh, the NC Museum of History Foundation announced the SECU Foundation as the recipient of its inaugural 2012 Corporate Philanthropy Award. The award recognizes individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to the preservation, study or understanding of North Carolina history and also honors exceptional commitment, service and support to history museums or related sites. McKinley Wooten, Chairman of the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Board of Directors, was on hand to accept the award on behalf of SECU members who fund the Foundation.
“We established these awards to show our appreciation of business partners and individuals who have made a difference to the Museum of History in significant and meaningful ways,” said Lyl MacLean Clinard, Chairman of the Museum of History Foundation. “Our first award recipients truly exemplify some of the state’s finest representation of business and citizens who care about and share in preserving the rich history of the Old North State.”
Contributions made by SECU members via the Foundation began in 2007, serving as the primary education sponsor for the Museum of History’s exhibits, Mysteries of the Lost Colony & A New World: England’s First View of America from London’s British Museum. Through its sponsorship, the SECU Foundation enabled all North Carolina students, teachers and chaperones to attend the historical exhibit free of charge. In addition, SECU Foundation provided a $500,000 grant to help build the Museum of History’s new Education Center in 2010, naming the facility the SECU Education Center. With the Foundation’s support, the Museum is able to deliver educational programs through live two-way video conference programs and virtual field trips to thousands of students across the state in a visible, state of the art learning center.
Mr. Wooten remarks, “It was truly an honor to accept this award on behalf of all SECU members who graciously fund the SECU Foundation. Because education is one of the Foundation’s primary areas of focus, SECU members are proud to partner with the NC Museum of History to show our support of the wonderful educational benefits that are provided to students all across North Carolina.”
About SECU and the SECU Foundation
SECU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. SECU has been providing the employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 75 years. With close to 1.8 million members, SECU provides services through 245 branch offices, nearly 1,200 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, http://www.ncsecu.org/. The SECU Foundation, a 501c (3) charitable organization funded solely by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human services.