Valley Cares for Kids

Valley doesn’t just care about our members. Valley cares for kids. We are committed to empowering kids and enriching their minds in a wide range of ways and age groups. Explore all we’re doing to support youth in our communities.

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Ages 12 and Under

Wise Wonders Childrens Museum

Valley Credit Union donated $25,000 to Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum (Wise Wonders) to assist with the museum’s latest expansion. These funds were used to support the local organization in its efforts to build an updated grocery store exhibit for young learners.

“We are proud to sponsor this community-centered organization in its pursuit to foster creativity and engage curious minds through hands-on learning,” said Casey Klein, CEO of Valley Credit Union. “The value that this environment brings our youth is unmatched. We are eager to see the new attractions come to fruition in this renovated space and know that the museum will continue to be a staple for young minds for many years to come.”

One of Wise Wonders' main goals since moving to their new location was to provide a larger-scale grocery store exhibit for children. At the museum’s previous location, they had a smaller grocery store set-up that was the most trafficked exhibit and supplied high interaction from children. The funds from Valley will make this vision a reality.

“Wise Wonders is incredibly thankful for the generous support of Valley Credit Union,” said Shawna Bonini, Executive Director of Wise Wonders Children’s Museum. “Through their donation, we were able to make a fantastic grocery store. This space will be a place for kids to role-play, use their imaginations, work together with other kids, and learn and grow. This exhibit would not be possible without the support from Valley.”

Explorers Academy

Valley has helped Explorers Academy, A Head Start Program fund their library at their new location at 511 Custer Ave. We have book bins at all of our Billings locations for new and gently used books to be donated to this library. We help them out with many other events going on throughout the year as well.

Miles Ave School Reading Tutor Program

Every year Valley volunteers help tutor reading at Miles Avenue School in Billings. To further encourage young readers, we provide them with fun and inspiring tools that can be used throughout the year at home, as well as at school. We also participate in their annual school carnival, Spelling Bee and other school year activities. We are proud to partner with Miles Avenue School and help shape the growing minds of our youth.

Ages 13 – 18

Valley-dictorian Program

Throughout the school year, Valley Credit Union and The Billings Gazette feature 32 seniors chosen from local area high schools. These students, nominated by a teacher, counselor, or principal, have shown a clear career path for their future in the form of an industry certification, technical associal degree, city college, trade school, or apprenticeship. And, at the end of the school year, Valley awards one $5,000 grant to a deserving student.

The Hive

Rocky Mountain College hosted the 3rd Annual Hive event where nine high school entrepreneurs pitched their business plans to a panel of local businesspeople. A total of $8,500 in cash prizes were awarded, and the winner will receive mentorship from Rock31, Billings Chamber of Commerce, and AD Creative Group.

We wish all the entrepreneurs the best of luck as they travel the road of being their own boss.

Now let's announce the winners:

-People's Choice Award went to Yellowstone Leather Creations. This award, sponsored by TEDxBillings, was voted on by the audience through their phones and came with a $500 cash prize. Yellowstone Leather Creations has a passion for creativity and leatherwork.

-The Most Memorable pitch went to A&K Terrariums, courtesy of 406 Memories. A & K Terrariums is a Billings-made business dedicated to bringing plants into everyone's hands, with or without a green thumb.

-3rd place went to BeatrizMexican Sweets which came with a $1,000 cash prize compliments of the Northern Hotel. She has a passion for baking and her vibrant Mexican heritage allows her to skillfully create traditional baked good with a unique twist to bring out new and exciting flavors.

-2nd place went to Good Fortune Creations which came with a $1,500 cash prize, again, compliments of the Northern Hotel. This business focuses on promoting Native American identity through artwork and beadwork.

-1st place went to... drum roll please

..... The Ark Of Billings which came with a $5,000 cash prize compliments of Valley Credit Union. The Ark of Billings is an animal treat company focused on maintaining both environment and quality by creating handmade dog treats, cat treats, bird feeders, and paw creams that are shaped like his home state of Montana.

Lastly, we just wanted to thank all our sponsors who helped make this event happen: Northern Hotel, Billings Chamber of Commerce, AD Creative, Billings Public Schools, Rocky Mountain College, Rock31, TEDxBillings, KULR8 News, Billings - Allegra Marketing, Print, & Mail, and 406 Memories. Also, a big thank you to everyone that showed up in the audience to cheer on these students!

Billings All High School Celebration Committee - Title Sponsor

At Valley we go to local high schools to put on Reality Fairs to teach high school students about real life budgeting. This will consist of the students being placed in a job/family where they will have to go table to table to get a mortgage/rent, phone, utilities, etc... At the end we will take a look over their budget to see how they did. We will also give them any advice we see necessary.

Also, Valley has partnered up with the Billings All High School Celebration Committee to be the title sponsor. This consists of helping fund a sober party the night of graduation for Billings Senior, West and Skyview high school as well as a parade for each high school, plus much more.

Reality Fairs

Throughout the school year your local credit unions will visit high schools to do a Reality Fair. Students would go from table to table with a job, income, and family. They have to get a place to live, groceries, daycare, utilities, cell phone, etc... We believe this is a really eye opening experience for these students to see just how expensive life can be!

Financial Literacy Classes

Throughout the school year Valley presents student courses on the importance of saving, spending and investing. Valley also places emphasis on understanding what a credit score is, what it means and much more!

All Ages

ZooMontana Bison Exhibit Sponsor

Part of supporting our community’s kids is also supporting organizations that share in commitment to our area youth. ZooMontana is one such organization and we are proud to be the primary sponsor for their bison exhibit! Learn more about all ZooMontana offers.

Valley Youth Accounts and More

Student Checking Account

From young student to financially independent adult — start molding a bright financial future with the help of Student Checking. Students up to 18 will learn the value of money firsthand with free features like online banking and eStatements. Even earn competitive dividends on all balances up to $5,000 when signed up for eStatements. And with a low opening deposit of $5 and no balance requirements, getting started down the right financial path is not just smart — it's easy! Learn More!

Youth Savings Account

Give your child the gift of financial literacy and a head start towards a secure future by opening a youth savings account. It's a valuable tool that teaches the importance of saving, helps them develop responsible money habits, and sets them on a path towards financial independence.

Receive 5.12% APY* on the first $500
Rate of 1.00% APY on amounts between $500.01 to $5,000
Rate of 0.05% APY $5,000.01 and over

Additional benefits:
$1 for every A on report card**
$5 for perfect attendance at the end of the year**

*APY=Annual Percentage Yield
**Deposit is made when a report card or perfect school year attendance report is presented in-branch with a limit of four report cards and/or one perfect attendance report per school year. Report card deposits are made once each quarter and are $1 per “A” or highest grade available with a limit of $5 per report card. Perfect attendance deposit is made at the end of the school year and is $5.

Scholarships Available

The Midland Empire Chapter of Credit Unions is offering two $1,000 scholarships; one to a traditional student and one to a non-traditional student who wish to continue their education. Completed applications and all required materials must be submitted to your credit union no later than March 1st. Scholarships will be awarded at the April chapter meeting of the Midland Empire Chapter of Credit Unions.

Apply Online

Fill out application and print — deadline was March 1, 2024.

Scholarship applications may be returned to your local branch or mailed to:

Valley Credit Union
Attn: Marketing Department
PO Box 20417
Billings, MT 59104

Valley is awarding one scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to a graduating high school student in Cody, Wyoming, excluding immediate family members of Valley employees. This scholarship applies to any accredited college, graduate school or secondary education facility.

Print Application — deadline was March 15, 2024, 2:00 PM, MST.

Completed application and all required materials must be submitted to:

Valley Credit Union
Attn: Jeff Parsons, Branch Manager
1902 Cougar Ave
Cody, WY 82414

Valley is awarding one scholarship in the amount of $500 to a graduating high school student in Gallatin County, Montana, excluding immediate family members of Valley employees. This scholarship applies to any accredited college, graduate school or secondary education facility.