Aspire Credit Union is wrapping up its 2026 nonprofit partnership with Companions for Children, a local organization dedicated to helping young people build confidence, connections and life skills through meaningful mentoring relationships.
Each year, Aspire Credit Union selects a local nonprofit to support through community giving, fundraising and awareness efforts. This year, the focus was kids, with a three-month campaign designed to provide Companions for Children mentors and youth with resources that encourage creativity, conversation and connection.
The partnership began in June with a collection of LEGO and building brick kits. In July, the focus shifted to craft kits, including hands on activities designed to give mentors and their mentees something fun to create together. The partnership wrapped up in August with a monetary giving campaign, allowing community members to contribute financially and giving Companions for Children the flexibility to purchase additional LEGO, craft kits or other resources needed to support its programs.
The donations came from Aspire Credit Union employees, members and the credit union itself, making the campaign a true community effort.
“Over the years, our team has learned that busy hands often lead to big conversations,” said Heather Cymbaluk, Executive Director of Companions for Children. “When kids are focused on creating something, they often feel more comfortable opening up, building trust and strengthening their connection with their mentor. These activities may seem simple, but they can create meaningful opportunities for confidence, conversation and connection. We are incredibly grateful to Aspire and everyone who contributed to making these resources available to our matches.”
Companions for Children has been serving children in the Minot area and surrounding communities since 1972. The organization provides volunteer adult mentors who empower children to reach their full potential through mentoring relationships. Companions for Children serves nearly 200 local youth annually through its mentoring programs and follows nationally recognized mentoring standards designed to promote safe, effective and meaningful mentoring relationships.
For Aspire, the partnership was an opportunity to bring its community focused approach to life while supporting an organization making a direct impact on local youth.
“At Aspire, community is at the heart of what we do,” said Rianne Kuhn, Marketing and Community Impact Director at Aspire Credit Union. “We wanted our employees, members and our community to have a chance to be part of something that directly supports local kids. From a box of Lego bricks to a craft kit to a financial contribution, every gift helped create opportunities for kids and their mentors to spend time together, have conversations and build relationships. That is the kind of impact we are proud to be part of.”
The partnership reflects Aspire’s continued commitment to investing in local organizations and initiatives that strengthen the communities it serves.
“We choose to support nonprofits in a full circle approach,” Kuhn added, “from showing up and volunteering, to creating awareness and inviting our community to be part of the mission. We are grateful to everyone who helped us support Companions for Children this year.”