Heartland was named the statewide winner in the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility program for the $50-$100 million asset category.

This award, sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Network and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), recognizes credit unions for helping others and/or strengthening the structure of a community.

Heartland Credit Union received this award primarily for their involvement in the first annual "Great Neighbors' Mississippi River Duck Race." Neighbors, Inc. is a 37-year-old social service agency serving northern Dakota County. They rely on contributions from 32 churches, individuals and businesses to sustain the agency and their mission to provide a variety of services to those in need within the community. Due to an increased demand for food, clothes and services, the agency was struggling to keep up with the needs of the community. In early 2008 several community members, including Heartland Credit Union, rallied together to support the efforts of Neighbors and developed a fundraising event – The Great Neighbors’ Mississippi River Duck Race.

The competition is named after Dora Maxwell, a credit union pioneer, who worked with several organizations to improve the living standards of the poor and needy. This award was created in 1987 to promote social responsibility among credit unions by formally recognizing their social achievements. With six asset category divisions, this award is given to a credit union for its social responsibility projects within the community.