GBU Life Neighborhoods
Do more for what matters close to home.
Start with something you already care about. We'll help with what comes next.
Your child's school. A local nonprofit. A youth team. A community organization. A cause you've supported for years.
GBU Life Neighborhoods give you a way to bring people together and do even more. Once an event or activity is approved, GBU Life can provide approved funds for eligible expenses plus practical support to help you execute it.
You don't have to start something new.
Some of the best Neighborhood ideas begin with something people are already connected to.
What could your Neighborhood support?
School & Youth
Support an activity, collection or project benefiting students, families or a youth organization.
Nonprofit & local causes
Volunteer together, raise awareness or support an organization already making a difference.
Community programs
Participate in a community walk or rally people around a cause that matters to you
Health & wellness
Partner with a church or other local organization on an activity serving the broader community.
Arts & community connection
Bring people together around organizations and experiences that strengthen your community.
Client engagement
GBU Life agents can use Neighborhood activities as meaningful opportunities to connect with clients and families.
Neighborhoods in action
Greater Pittsburgh Wellness Neighborhood Walking for a Cause
The group participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer's and provided a $1,000 sponsorship for the event.
Northside Neighborhood
People, pets, and community
More than 100 people came together for a Hearts & Paws celebration created with Calvary United Methodist Church and Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh.
Forty-three animals were blessed during the event.
Metro Detroit Neighborhood
Forgotten Harvest
This group of volunteers packaged emergency food boxes and repacked or sorted fresh, nutritious food for distribution across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties.
Your Neighborhood doesn't have to look like any of these. Start with the people, places and causes that matter to you.
You bring the idea. GBU Life helps you make it happen.
GBU Life does more than approve a Neighborhood activity. Once your neighborhood, event, or project is approved, the Communities team can provide approved funds for eligible expenses and practical support to help you execute it.
Support may include:
- Funding
Funds for eligible event or project expenses, provided after the activity is approved (typically through a prepaid expense card). - Member Connection
Help connecting with other GBU Life members and inviting participation.
- Event materials
Flyers, promotional items, branded event materials, and other execution resources. - Planning support
Guidance from the GBU Life Communities team as you plan and carry out the activity.
Getting started:
What am I signing up for?
A GBU Life Neighborhood is an ongoing way to make a difference throughout the year - not a one-time event.
- Build a Neighborhood with at least three GBU Life members total: you plus two additional members.
- Complete one approved community activity each quarter - four activities over the course of a year.
- Work with GBU Life on project approval, funding and execution support, then share basic results after each activity.
Don't already know two other members? We can help you make connections. Friends or family may also be able to participate by becoming GBU Life social members for $25 per year.
How do I get started?
1. Start with what matters to you.
Think about a school, organization, activity, or cause you'd like to support.
2. Talk with us.
Spend 15 minutes with the Communities team. You don't need to have an event or full plan ready.
3. Build your Neighborhood.
Recruit two other GBU Life members so your Neighborhood has at least three members total. If you do not already know two people who want to participate, we can help make connections. Friends or family may also be able to become social members for $25 per year.
4. Plan four activities across the year.
Complete one approved community project each quarter. Your activities can build on schools, nonprofits, community events, and causes your group already cares about.
What does a Neighborhood Leader actually do?
Neighborhood Leaders help keep the group moving by:
- Recruiting and staying connected with at least two other GBU Life members.
- Choosing community activities with the group.
- Working with GBU Life to request project support.
- Completing one approved project each quarter - four activities each year.
- Sharing basic project results after each activity.
GBU Life helps leaders move from idea to execution. After an activity is approved, approved funds can be provided for eligible project expenses, and the Communities team can support communications and event materials.
Neighborhood Leaders may also receive a quarterly stipend after completing required project reporting and documentation.
Have something in mind?
Maybe you already have an idea. Maybe you just know there's an organization you'd like to help.
Either way, you don't need to have everything figured out before you reach out.
Tell us what matters to you. We'll help you explore what's possible.
For questions, contact Mary Koczan at 412-668-3222
GBU Life is the marketing name for GBU Financial Life, Pittsburgh, PA. Participation is voluntary and is not associated with any GBU Life product. No obligation or purchase is required.