Frequently Asked Questions

VISIT NECU

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.

Kindness is contagious and doesn’t cost a thing.

Kindness is an investment. Good karma is the return.

Money makes you rich. Kindness makes you great.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Kindness is loving people more than they deserve.

Choose kindness…It matters.

Do good. Be great. Believe there is good in the world.

Be kind to others. Your random act of kindness might become someone’s best lifetime memory.

Sometimes, a single random act of kindness can become the spark that ignites a revolution.

Be nice to people. Sometimes, a smile is all it takes to start a chain of kindness.

Be kind to others without expecting anything in return. Karma is keeping a tab.

Kindness may be blind but it is the most eye-opening feeling one can get. Thanks for being kind.

Be silly. Be honest. Be kind.

Have courage and be kind.

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. - Mark Twain

When words are both true and kind, they can change the world. —Buddha

Be a little kinder than you have to. —E. Bennett

Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world. —Malala Yousafzai

In a gentle way, you can shake the world. —Mahatma Gandhi

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. —Robert Louis Stevenson

Believe there is good in the world.—Unknown

The world is full of kind people...If you can't find one, be one. - Unknown

Kindness is free; Let's pass it on. - Unknown

I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people. - Vincent Van Gogh

We don't have to agree on anything to be kind to one another. - Unknown

If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. The world needs more of that. - Unknown

Every act of kindness creates a ripple with no end. - Unknown

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make. - Jane Goodall

Go be kind. - Unknown

Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. - Maya Angelou

What are the Love Your Community Awards?

The “Awards,” as they apply to this program, are the financial support Northeast Credit Union will distribute to nonprofit organizations operating in the communities we serve in New Hampshire and Southern Maine. Northeast Credit Union will award $120,000 in financial support to nonprofits as part of this program.

Northeast Credit Union has been making financial contributions to good causes for decades. For our new program, we’re just calling them “awards.”

How many Love Your Community Awards will Northeast Credit Union distribute annually?

As part of the 2020 Awards Program, the Credit Union plans to award funding to roughly 60 organizations across the region.

How are the awards decided?

By popular vote from the community on The Love Your Community website.

How can organizations apply?

A representative for a nonprofit may complete an online application on the organization’s behalf at TheLYC.com, Northeast Credit Union’s Love Your Community Program website. Only one (1) Application per Organization per month is necessary. The application period is from the 1st through the 11th of each month.

Note that only 501c3 and 501c6 organizations are eligible to apply; and they must meet set criteria in order to be considered for voting.

After we submit an application, how will we know if our nonprofit been approved for voting?

The online application form includes questions that screen for eligibility. Once submitted, Northeast Credit Union will review all applications, and will email nonprofits to let them know whether they’ve qualified for voting prior to the 15th of the month. You will receive an email from Northeast Credit Union notifying you that you have (or have not) been approved to move into the voting round.

What are the rules for eligibility?

You can find official rules by clicking here.

What are our “Impact Categories” and why are they important?

Northeast Credit Union focuses its philanthropic efforts on:

Human Services
Education
Family and children
Safe and affordable housing
Community vitality
Animal Welfare

At this time, we unable to award financial support to organizations that do not fall in one of our impact categories.

How does the voting process work?

From the15th of each month through the last day of each month, the community will have a chance to vote for one organization among a list of qualified non-profits. So, once we notify you that you’re in the running for an award, you’ll have a chance to rally your supporters and followers to cast their votes at TheLYC.com during the 2-week long voting period.

How many awards will be given each month?

Each month 10 nonprofits receiving the most votes will be awarded funding in the following amounts: (2) $5000, (2) $2500, (4) $1000, (2) $500 based on the number of votes received. Winners will be announced after voting is tabulated.

How many nonprofit organizations will be part of each month’s voting?

There’s no limit to the number of organizations that may be part of voting. Each month’s voting will include all organizations who have applied that month; and that have been qualified; and that have not won an award to date as part of the 2020 Program.

Who is allowed to vote?

Only one (1) vote per one (1) individual is allowed. Monthly audits will take place to ensure accuracy (or something to that affect)

What does Northeast Credit Union do with emails that are entered for voting?

Email addresses collected will be used to identify voter and to confirm one (1) vote per person (1), per month. Email addresses collected may be used to communicate updates on The Love Your Community Awards and The Love Your Community Project only; email addresses will not be sold or used to solicit Northeast Credit Union products or services.

What can we do encourage people to vote for our nonprofit?

Show your heart and get out the vote by telling people WHY to vote for your nonprofit, HOW you are making a difference and WHERE they can Vote. There are so many ways you can do this… emails and newsletters to your supporters and followers… through social media… posters at your community sites… and so much more. Be creative! Go to TheLYC.com for more ideas.

How will we know if we’ve won an Award?

During the voting period, you’ll be able to track the votes as they come in on TheLYC.com. Then, once voting is tabulated, monthly winners will be announced on TheLYC.com, on Facebook and will be emailed by Northeast Credit Union within 10 business days of the voting period ending.

What happens if our organization doesn’t win an Award this month? Can we apply more than one time?

If your organization doesn’t earn the votes for a LYC Award the first month you apply, you’ll have an opportunity to try again in subsequent months. Every qualified nonprofit who applies will have an opportunity to win an award funding this year.

While you can apply for your nonprofit to participate more than one time, each organization may only win once during the 2020 Awards Program. Once your organization has won a LYC award during the current giving year (2020), you may not apply again.