Stride Credit Union is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Stride Forward Fund, supporting 13 incredible organizations that are creating meaningful impact across rural Manitoba. These investments strengthen the people, places, and programs that help our communities thrive.
From revitalizing gathering spaces to supporting childcare, recreation, arts, and accessibility, this year’s projects reflect Stride’s commitment to building strong, inclusive communities. Brent Budz, CEO of Stride Credit Union, emphasized the importance of these investments: “The Stride Forward Fund is about more than financial support—it’s about investing in the heart of our communities. These projects represent the resilience, creativity, and collaboration that make rural Manitoba strong.”
Highlights of 2025 Stride Forward Fund Projects:
The impact of these grants is already being felt. Norma Somers, speaking on behalf of the Birnie Community Club, shared, “Birnie Community Club has done all its banking business with Stride Credit Union for years. We have had great service and have appreciated the support for local community events. The Stride Forward Fund is one example of the connection between the Credit Union and the communities it serves. We are very grateful for the grant we have received. Fundraising is a big challenge for small communities. This money will help us to begin our project to improve our kitchen facility for community functions. Thank you.”
Why This Matters To You
When we invest in community spaces, we invest in connection, belonging, and opportunity. These projects are commitments to the people who gather, learn, celebrate, and grow in these places. Every contribution strengthens the fabric of rural Manitoba, ensuring that children have safe places to play, families have access to childcare, and neighbours have welcoming spaces to come together.
To learn more about each recipient and how they’re helping their communities stride forward, visit https://strideforwardfund.ca.
Big news from the 2024 Stride Credit Union Annual General Meeting!
Last week at our 2024 AGM, CEO Brent Budz announced that eligible members will see a boost to their accounts this week. Thanks to a strong 2024, Stride Credit Union is paying out $1 million in Dividend Payouts and $142,000 in Surplus Share Payouts. Eligible members may receive up to $250 from Dividend Payouts, with payments arriving the week of April 22.
As in previous years, personal members who turned 71 as of December 31, 2024, will receive the full balance of their surplus shares.
Since Stride’s inception in 2017, there has been $3,399,000 in Dividends paid out to eligible members. Dividends payouts are calculated according to the amount of business a member has with Stride. It’s just one of the ways Stride Credit Union continues to share success with our members.
For further information on Dividends, Surplus Shares or in becoming a member, please contact us.
.png){kind=icon}
Supporting community is a core value for Stride Credit Union. This made getting involved with the Oakville Community Club an easy decision. We are proud, and very excited, to announce that Stride Credit Union will be supporting the Oakville Community Club with a ten-year, $50,000 sponsorship agreement and the naming rights to the “Stride Events Room”.
While the new building will be the hub of the community, we anticipate the Stride Events Room to be the hub of the building. We look forward to seeing many weddings, socials, family gatherings and other events take place in the Stride Events Room and are proud to be a part of this initiative in Oakville.
“The Oakville Community Club is very excited and grateful for the sponsorship from Stride. This facility will be a valuable resource for the community for generations and it wouldn't be possible without this generous support from Stride.” -Eric Delong, Oakville Community Club board member.
According to Community Centre Renewal Committee chair, Dennis Galbraith, the completion of the new Community Centre in the village of Oakville is the culmination of 15 years of volunteer work including a feasibility study, fundraising, design, and construction. The new centre will replace the existing community hall which, after 75 years, has reached the end of its usable lifespan due to declining structural integrity. Designed to include the community’s first licenced childcare centre, the new building will be the center of community engagement for generations to come.
The new Community Centre in Oakville has been designed and constructed to meet the needs of a thriving 21st century community. Heated and cooled geothermally, the building will be shielded from every increasing energy cost while having near zero green house gas emissions. Beyond all the social and recreational benefits, this building is also the community’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The 40-space childcare centre employing 8 staff is the community’s commitment to families and future community development.
“Stride Credit Union firmly believes in giving back to the communities that we serve. While our branch may no longer be located in Oakville, we still very much serve that community and want to support our members and the various initiatives that happen in these small towns. This is a huge boost to Oakville and its residents and we are thrilled to be a part of it.” -Brent Budz, CEO, Stride Credit Union.
Stride Credit Union recently participated at a joint media release announcing its investment into The Connect Manitoba Growth Fund. The Connect Manitoba Growth Fund is an innovative venture capital fund established through a collaboration between the Government of Manitoba, Westcap Management Limited, and several local credit unions, including Access Credit Union, Fusion Credit Union, Stride Credit Union, and Sunrise Credit Union. The fund is the first recipient of capital from the Manitoba First Fund, which was introduced by the Manitoba government in the spring of 2022.
With an initial capitalization of $60 million, the Connect Manitoba Growth Fund aims to support later-stage growth companies in Manitoba. It specifically targets companies that have already gained market acceptance for their products or services. By providing funding to these established ventures, the fund seeks to facilitate their further expansion and development.
The Manitoba government, Westcap Management Limited, and the participating credit unions are the key investors in the Connect Manitoba Growth Fund. The Manitoba First Fund has made an inaugural investment of $25 million in partnership with Westcap Management Ltd., which has extensive experience in managing venture capital investments. The remaining $35 million will be contributed by the credit unions involved in the collaboration.
This joint effort between the government, venture capital managers, and credit unions is expected to foster economic growth and entrepreneurship in Manitoba. Managed by Westcap Management Limited, the Connect Manitoba Growth Fund will play a vital role in providing financial support to promising local companies and driving their continued success in the market.
Any commercial members that have questions about venture capital financing through this initiative can contact their Stride Account Manager or contact Westcap directly at 204-453-1000 or info@ConnectMB.ca
