National Diamond Award Winners

💎 Downeast Dunkers Earns National Diamond Award Recognition

We’re proud to share that Downeast Credit Union has been recognized on a national stage—earning a 2026 Diamond Award from America’s Credit Unions for our Downeast Dunkers program.

Downeast Credit Union was one of a few credit unions in Maine to receive this prestigious recognition, which honors excellence in marketing, public relations, and community engagement across the credit union industry. Our Downeast Dunkers program was awarded in the Community Partnerships or Endorsements category, placing it among the best in the nation.

Announced on March 24 in Denver, Colorado, this year’s Diamond Awards drew a record 1,481 submissions, with only 181 organizations from 42 states selected as winners—making this recognition especially meaningful.

A Community-First Approach

Downeast Dunkers launched during the 2024–2025 high school basketball season with a simple goal: meet our communities where they are and create something meaningful together.

Through partnerships with five local high schools across Downeast Maine, the program brought our team members directly into local gyms—not just as sponsors, but as active participants. From volunteering at games to connecting with families and students, our team showed up in a way that felt authentic and personal.

Game nights became more than just basketball. Through halftime ball toss contests and free-throw challenges, every point scored helped generate donations back to the schools—turning school spirit into real support for local athletics programs.

Extending Beyond the Game

What made Downeast Dunkers truly special was how it extended beyond the court and into the classroom.

Students played an active role in the program’s success—designing fundraising tracking charts in graphic design classes and building t-shirt launchers in industrial arts programs. Custom-designed school spirit t-shirts and branded concessions added to the excitement, helping create an atmosphere that celebrated both school pride and community connection.

A True Team Effort

“Downeast Dunkers was truly a team effort, bringing together our employees, local schools, and students to create something bigger than a traditional sponsorship,” said Kristie Libby, Marketing Director at Downeast Credit Union. “From a marketing perspective, it was incredibly rewarding to see how a grassroots, community-first approach could not only strengthen school pride and support youth programs, but also encourage young people to start thinking about financial wellness early. This recognition reflects the creativity, collaboration, and passion our team brought to life through this program.”

“We are incredibly proud of our team and the communities we serve for making Downeast Dunkers such a meaningful success,” added Joe Moses, President and CEO of Downeast Credit Union. “This recognition reflects what makes Downeast Credit Union different—we show up, we get involved, and we invest in the people and places that matter most.”

More Than a Program

Downeast Dunkers is more than an award-winning campaign—it’s a reflection of who we are. Click here to learn more about Downeast Dunkers.

By building real relationships, supporting local schools, and engaging the next generation, we’re proud to invest in the future of the communities we serve.