Besides being a nonprofit located in central Texas, do you know what Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of McLennan and Hill counties, AVANCE Waco, Generations Adoptions, Family Abuse Center, Waco Habitat for Humanity, Meals & Wheels, Methodist Children’s Home, Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children, Mission Waco/Mission World, Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central Texas, Caritas of Waco, and the Humane Society of Central Texas have in common?  

These organizations are Charity Champions. Well, actually the executive directors, staff, board of directors and volunteers of these organizations are Charity Champions. And to coincide with Baylor's upcoming football season, six more nonprofits will be selected and honored with gifts most cannot afford.

TFNB Your Bank for Life (formerly First National Bank McGregor) launched Charity Champions in 2014 to celebrate its 125th anniversary and give back to the community. Each fall, from the nominations submitted online throughout each year, six nonprofits are chosen as Charity Champions by TFNB employees. Anyone can submit a nomination, and the nominations are carried forward each year. It takes five minutes to fill out the online form. The benefits of being selected a Charity Champions are leadership development and increased awareness, both of which are usually cost-prohibitive for nonprofits. 

• Maximum marketing exposure including TFNB and Baylor Athletics’ social media, digital marketing, radio, and print advertising.
• Live, on-field presentation at one of Baylor University’s home football games.
• A video presentation about the nonprofit played on McLane Stadium’s huge video board during the game.
• Radio interview with John Morris during pre-game show at Touchdown Alley.
• A series of training sessions by 360 Solutions for the organization’s executive director, board members and staff to help the organization meet its goals.

According to TFNB bank president David Littlewood, what the bank provides Charity Champions helps the people the nonprofits serve, and in turn, our community as a whole. “Charity Champions takes community banking to a whole new level, and our hope is that other banks and businesses around the state will replicate Charity Champions in their communities. And for central Texas, expect to see Charity Champions for many years to come.”

When a nonprofit organization is chosen, they are a Charity Champion forever.  TFNB continues to promote all the winning nonprofits.  All executive directors, board members and staff are invited and encouraged to attend the 360 Solutions training sessions every year. "Executive directors change, and board members rotate," said Littlewood.  "Charity Champions are not here one season and gone the next; they are forever."

Reactions from Charity Champions are positive.  When asked about the presentation on the field during the September 15, 2015 Lamar vs Baylor football game, Tim Brown, president and CEO of Methodist Children’s Home said, “ Our video was played on the big screen at McLane Stadium, and the crowd was cheering.The number of eyes and the number of people watching that video was unbelievable. It gave us more coverage in a small amount of time than we could ever hope for.”

“The increase in awareness is incredible.”  Susie Wimberly, executive director of CASA of McLennan and Hill Counties

Barbara Wright, executive director of the Advocacy Center, says the timing of the media coverage and marketing from being named a Charity Champion was perfect. “This year is our 40th anniversary, and we need space twice the size of our 8,000 square foot building.  Through Charity Champions we are able to raise awareness not only of our organization and anniversary, but our specific needs, such as the building, as well.”

Time was also on the side of Charity Champion Caritas, according to executive director Buddy Edwards. “The 360 Solutions training has come at the perfect time as we were in the process of engaging our own strategic planning, but we did not need to do that. The 360 Solutions’ training has been superb for us because we’re looking strategically at issues and we’re’ able to engage that thinking into what we’re already doing.”

“Our number one priority was climate control for our ReStore, which was about a $100,000 project.  We met that goal, and I think that part of that had to do with Charity Champions.”  Brenda Shuttlesworth, executive director of Waco Habitat for Humanity.

Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central Texas now has 15 Apple laptops and seven Apple computers as a result of the Charity Champions radio interview with John Morris before the rainy Iowa State vs. Baylor football game on Saturday, October 24, 2015. “A young man came into our office, and he told me, ‘I’m proud of ya’ll,” and he wrote a check for $25,000, which was fabulous.”

“I’m sure that the publicity around Charity Champions has literally saved lives in Waco.”  Kathy Reid, executive director of Family Abuse Center.

TFNB covers the costs associated with the Charity Champions’ marketing campaigns as well as an executive leadership training package.  To qualify, a nonprofit organization must have a service office located in Bell, Coryell or McLennan counties.  Visit www.tfnbtx.com/charitychampions for more information or to nominate a nonprofit.

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