Community Rewards Program

When we work together, we have the power to create positive change in our communities across New Mexico. That’s the philosophy behind our Community Rewards program, available with all Nusenda Credit Union personal checking accounts.

In addition to helping you reach your financial goals, we’re committed to supporting the community initiatives that you care about. With every signature-based transaction that you make with your Nusenda Visa^® Debit Card, you earn cash back and we contribute a cash reward to the community and category of your choice.*

There’s no limit to the rewards you can earn during the year-long program period. Then, based off your designation, we’ll direct your contribution toward your selected focus area – Education, Healthcare, the Arts, Wildlife and Environment, and Community Services and Support – in the community of your choice.

Why Choose “Signature”?

There are several excellent reasons to sign for purchases with your Visa debit card:

• You benefit financially from the Community Rewards program, and the community of your choice benefits from matching financial support from your credit union.
  
• Your purchase will be identified in detail, on your statement and online, by the name of the merchant, the city and state on your transaction records.
• You will be protected by Visa's Zero Liability Policy.
  

Using “Signature” to Pay

Each time you pay for a purchase, select the signature option. The signature option on point-of-sale machines will differ based on the merchant. Some will offer a credit button and on others you must select the green enter, yellow return, or red cancel button to sign for your purchase. The simplest way to find out if you are selecting the credit signature option is to ask the merchant how to sign for your transaction.

Card technology has changed, but Community Rewards haven’t. You can still choose whether you want to use the credit or debit function on your new Visa debit chip card. Just remember that you must select the credit, or signature option, when you insert your card into the chip enabled point-of-sale machine. Learn more about your Visa chip card here. 

If you prefer to use your digital wallet to pay, you can still earn Community Rewards. Simply choose the signature option when making your purchase using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. 

And remember, to earn Community Rewards, you need 10 or more signature-based purchases in a month.

Non-profits: Apply to Become a Beneficiary

Do you work for or know of an organization that would like to become a beneficiary of our Community Rewards program? To be considered, your organization must provide services in one of the five focus areas mentioned above, in one of the following areas:

To find out if your organization qualifies for sponsorship, visit the Nusenda Foundation website for full details and instructions.

Enroll in Community Rewards

Enroll by filling in the information below:

Community Impact Stories

Community Rewards - Impacting Communities!

When we work together, we have the power to create positive change in our communities across New Mexico. We asked a few recipients to share their stories on how Nusenda Credit Union's Community Rewards are helping them make an impact in their community.

APS Education Foundation

Nusenda's Community Rewards Program is really critical because it pairs with help [that the] Albuquerque Public Schools Education Foundation gets from throughout the community.

– Phill Casaus, Former Executive Director

APS Education Foundation from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Rio Rancho Public Schools

Nusenda's been a part of our growth from day one. They've been a wonderful partner. Community Rewards brings money back into the district that we're able to use to support and grow and recognize our staff.

– V. Sue Cleveland, Ed. D., Superintendent

Rio Rancho Public Schools from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Taos Municipal Schools

This year, Nusenda Credit Union supported my classroom and Business Professionals of America (at Taos High School) in a huge way.

– Tracy Galligan, Taos High School teacher and Business Professionals of America Sponsor

Taos Municipal Schools from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation

Nusenda Community Rewards helped us set up a four-part program with Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation that helps connect families and patients with the information and help they need.  

– Paul Coverdale, Presbyterian NICU Parent Advisory Board Member

Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

CNM Foundation

Nusenda provides financial literacy training to our students. They helped all our campuses become wireless. They really help us in every way imaginable a supporter can.

– Clint Wells, Executive Director

CNM Foundation from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Heart Hospital of New Mexico Foundation and the Dixon Volunteer Fire Department

The Dixon Volunteer Fire Department is very important. That's one of the reasons we chose them to receive AEDs, thanks to Nusenda.

– Terry Harris, Executive Director

Heart Hospital of New Mexico Foundation from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

New Mexico Legal Aid

We received Community Rewards for the Keeping Your Home Program, which is a combination of foreclosure defense project and our housing program.

– Mari Kempton, Manager of Foreclosure Defense Project

New Mexico Legal Aid from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Children’s Grief Center of New Mexico

Nusenda's Community Rewards Program has made a direct impact by helping us provide free services to grieving families.

– Jenny Vincent, Development Director

Children's Grief Center of New Mexico from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Goodwill Industries of New Mexico

Because of a generous donation from Nusenda, we introduced a Call Center Training program.

– Steve Wachter, Service Director

Goodwill Industries of New Mexico from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps

With the support of Nusenda, we offer training to help youth become more marketable in the workplace and more prepared out in the field.

- Matthew Foster, Development Director

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

WESST

Nusenda’s Community Rewards Program has really helped to support WESST's programs for entrepreneurs.

- Agnes Noonan, President of WESST

WESST from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series

Every time we do something with Nusenda in the community, we know it's going to be expanding horizons.

-Ronna Kalish, Director

New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico

The funding we receive supports our Ronald McDonald Family Room inside the hospital.

-Kristin Rortvedt, Former Executive Director

Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Taos Center for the Arts

Nusenda has really helped us with the Missoula Children’s Theater program.

-Deborah McLean, Executive Director

Taos Center for the Arts from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Institute of American Indian Arts - IAIA

Nusenda supports our students' ability to go back to their home communities and present something that they've learned while a student at IAIA. 

-Eileen Berry, Associate Director of Institutional Advancement

Institute of American Indian Arts from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Keshet Center for the Arts

Nusenda has supported our community dance education program, and our M3 (Movement + Mentorship = Metamorphosis) program. 

-Adrian Moore Trask, Director of Business Advancement

Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.

Communities in Schools of New Mexico

Our partnership with Nusenda Credit Union really reflects the belief in the power of community.

-Julia Bergen, Executive Director

Communities in Schools New Mexico from Nusenda Credit Union on Vimeo.