In this edition of Kindred's Share newsletter:
In a world seeking hopeful paths toward equity, sustainability, and wellbeing, the United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of the Cooperative. This global recognition shines a light on the quiet yet powerful ways cooperatives - like Kindred - help people connect their values with action.
At their core, cooperatives are more than businesses; they’re communities built on shared ownership and purpose. “Cooperatives are grounded in principles of democratic control, mutual aid, and community benefit,” says Rebecca Smith, Kindred’s VP of Engagement and Values. “They put people before profit.”
Co-operatives span sectors from housing and agriculture to childcare and finance, offering practical, people-centred alternatives. They’re driven by seven shared principles, including open membership, democratic control, education, and concern for community
Read more about the Year of the Cooperative ▶▶
As the calendar tips towards autumn, it’s easy to get swept up in the back-to-school bustle, Thanksgiving feasts, and the twinkle of Christmas lights. With so many joyful moments on the horizon, the last few months of the year can be financially overwhelming. The good news? With some planning and a few clever strategies, you can wrap up the year with your finances in great shape.
Begin by reviewing your current financial picture. Check in on your monthly budget: are you on track, or have a few expenses crept higher than expected? Look ahead to the upcoming months. What events, travel plans, or seasonal traditions might bring added costs? Think through the following:
Mapping out your anticipated expenses will help you make smart, informed choices rather than reacting in the moment. Don’t forget to begin thinking about your 2026 budget and financial goals as well. Where would you like to be in terms of savings and investments? Do you have any big travel plans to save for? Will you have a child moving onto post-secondary education? Have you built emergency savings for those unexpected expenses? A great place to start is with the Kindred Financial Health Score Calculator. It’s a great tool to help you figure out where you are, and where you need to go in order to have the future of your dreams!
Remember that the best celebrations come from shared moments, not price tags. Your time, attention, and presence are often the most meaningful thing you can give to the people you love. Thoughtful budgeting will help you enter the new year with peace of mind, rather than a pile of bills.
Visit us at booth AB-14 in the AG Biz Pavilion at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show September 9-11, 2025 to chat about how Kindred can help you achieve your goals. Come and enter to win some great prizes, including a Home Hardware gift card or a John Deere kids riding tractor.
You have a better choice for banking.
We’re here to help you Make Peace with Your Money®. This means achieving peace of mind and confidence in your financial choices. It’s about aligning your money with your values and knowing it’s stewarded by a financial cooperative committed to inspiring peaceful, just, and prosperous communities.
Experience banking tailored to farmers.
With over 60 years of commercial and agricultural banking experience, many of our Account Managers either grew up on a farm or currently operate their own farms and truly understand your needs. From cash crops to livestock, from barn construction to robotic milking, our team has experience in all aspects of agricultural credit, wealth and investing, and succession planning.
You can have peace of mind knowing we have your best interests at heart.
Meet with us ▶▶
The Kindred Charitable Fund will be accepting grant applications between October 1-31, 2025. Established in 1999, the Fund has supported over 192 congregations and charities with over $1.4 million in support since 2001.
Kindred has a unique purpose – cooperative banking that connects values and faith with finances, inspiring peaceful, just, and prosperous communities. It’s f6f5f0a beautiful promise and aspiration, meant to be lived out and experienced.
That is why our Kindred Charitable Fund supports organizations working in the areas of:
In 2025, we were happy to support organizations such as Reception House, which provides housing to refugees when they first arrive in Canada. We also supported the Leamington Community Hope Centre, where community members in need can have a hot meal 365 days of the year. Interfaith Community Counselling also received a charitable fund grant for their work providing low-income working folks with access to affordable mental health care.
These are just a few of the many organizations we partner with to help in giving back to their local communities. If you think a Kindred Charitable Fund grant could help an organization you are passionate about, learn more about the application criteria and process for applying.
Sign up to be notified when applications for the Charitable Fund are being accepted ▶▶
At Kindred, member experience and insights matter. We regularly reach out to hear your voice so we can serve our members - with care, integrity, and compassion.
We will be conducting a member experience survey from October 1-31, 2025, sent to a select group of members. This survey will be conducted by PMG Intelligence, our trusted research partner, to ensure confidentiality and objectivity.
Your feedback makes a difference and your insights help us prioritize improvements. At Kindred, we want to continue to meet your needs in ways that reflect our shared values.
On Thursday, August 7, several Kindred team members were part of a volunteer crew helping to build a Shaputuan for Crow Shield Lodge just outside of New Hamburg. A Shaputuan is a traditional Indigenous gathering space that means “you walk through it”, referring to the doors at either end. Traditionally, these structures were used for celebrations and sacred ceremonies. Built with poles made of black spruce tied together with rope, Shaputuan historically would have been covered in hides. For this build, a more durable and fire-safe vinyl was used. Typically, larger than a tipi, lodge or wigwam, Shaputuan can be built quite large to accommodate many people.
Kindred team members were instructed on how to build the Shaputuan by David Lundberg of Sewn Home, located in Timmins. David taught us about blending classic Indigenous architecture with modern materials, to ensure the Shaputuan is as safe and long-lasting as possible.
Our team members worked up a sweat, learned a great deal, and enjoyed spending time on the land with Indigenous community and allies. Kindred is pleased to support Crow Shield Lodge, in their mission to provide land-based healing for all nations.
Not-for-profits can also benefit from 50% off their service fees! At Kindred, we deeply value the positive impact these organizations have in our communities, and we’re here to support that good work. If you’re part of a church or community group, or know someone who is, let them know how a Kindred membership could help them make the most of their resources.
Creating a family budget can feel like a balancing act - juggling known expenses with hopes for the future. Most folks remember to list the essentials: rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities, and maybe even savings. However, despite good intentions, many budgets miss the mark simply because some costs (and even some sources of income) slip through the cracks.
So, how do you build a budget that’s not only practical but also meaningful - supporting your values and goals as a family? Here are a few things to watch for and how to ensure your budget is truly comprehensive.
Read more family budgeting basics ▶▶
At Kindred, financial literacy is important to us. We’ve partnered with Aviso Wealth* to offer a series of free webinars on important financial topics that matter most to our members. This fall, we invite you to attend one of these free sessions:
| Date | Topic | More Information |
| October 22 at 12:00pm | Canadians with US Properties |
Whether property owners, renters or just visiting, Canadians spend a lot of time south of the 49th parallel. This can lead to estate and tax headaches for the unprepared. From Wills to substitute decisions, day counts to tax deadlines, and real estate issues in between, snowbirds have to carefully consider their southern exposure. |
| November 226 at 12:00 P.M. | Year-end Tax Tips | Year-end is a time when we start thinking about winding down. But in the field of tax planning, that annual deadline is when we need to take stock, and potentially take action. We’ll look at tax saving opportunities prompted by time of year and time in your life, to help you keep on track. |
Whether you don’t know where to begin, or you just want to check that you are on the right track, Kindred wants to help you live your values and love your banking. Sign up for one of our Webinars today ▶▶
Throughout the month of November, all Kindred locations will be participating in our third annual credit union-wide food drive! Hunger is one of Kindred’s Social Impact focus themes and this drive will support local organizations with food access programs across all eight of our branch communities. Watch for details and food and monetary donation opportunities on kindredcu.com and at your local branch.
EVENT – September 9-11, 2025 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show
CELEBRATE – Thursday, October 16, 2025 International Credit Union Day
Members are invited to visit their branch and enjoy complimentary refreshments – it’s our way of saying thank you for putting your trust in us!
SMALL BUSINESS WEEK – October 19-25, 2025
UPCOMING BRANCH CLOSURES
September 30, 2025As a reminder, you can access your account online or at one of our 24-hour ATMs.
As Kindred seeks to listen, learn, and grow relationships with our Indigenous neighbours, we appreciate the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Held each year on September 30, it is a day to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
*Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Aviso Wealth, a division of Aviso Financial Inc.