How your National Credit Union Foundation makes a difference
Have you ever wondered how the National Credit Union Foundation (the Foundation) makes a difference in your communities? The first thing that may come to mind is CUAid. And you’d be right! The Foundation is always actively collecting funds to help when disaster strikes. In the last three months alone, CUAid has brought in over $500,000 from almost 400 individuals and organizations. Every penny of those contributions goes directly back to credit union employees and volunteers effected by disasters to help them get back on their feet so they can serve their members. This year the Foundation has granted funds to employees in California and Hawaii. “I was very hesitant in applying for the grant. Then we started going over the dollars and inconvenience that we had spent and endured during the time our electricity was out and water was declared unfit for consumption. At that point, we decided to apply for the grant.” – Board Member of Valley Isle Community FCU in Hawaii.
You may also think of our Credit Union Development Education program. And again, you’d be right! If you’ve been part of one of the best classes ever (IYKYK), you’ve trusted the process and brought your learnings back to your credit union organization through projects and community service. This program brings individuals together from all over the world and at all levels. From tellers to CEOs, it’s an opportunity to build the aptitude and readiness of your team to better serve members and improve their financial well-being. It’s also one of the best networking and learning opportunities on why credit unions are unique and an important alternative to other financial services providers. “With twenty-five years in our industry, I thought I may have evolved beyond participating in the DE program. After attending and graduating as a DE this October, I learned I was wrong! It was a week very well spent with new friends digging into the cooperative principles that bind cooperatives around the world. We are part of a world-wide effort to make the world better and CUDE is a reminder of that and serves to inspire us as we forge ahead.” – Patty Corkery, President/CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League.
While it may not be top of mind, we hope that you also think of grants. Because of the generosity of our supporters, we’re able to offer grants around Financial Well-being for All efforts. Most recently, we opened our grant application process for our “Knowing and Helping Your Membership” grant. This grant will help mid-sized credit unions analyze membership demographics and better understand the roles culture, race and ethnicity play in financial well-being.
The grant will be split among 20 credit unions, giving them access to industry-leading programs, data analysis and consultation provided by Attune Insights and Coopera Consulting, two organizations leading the charge for multicultural inclusion and financial health. This grant effort replicates the incredibly successful 2021-2022 grant the Foundation funded for six smaller asset-sized institutions. That grant report is available here.
The Foundation — your Foundation — is here to serve you and the credit union system. Your support, whether through contributions, attending our programs or sponsoring an event allows us to continue to bring tools, resources, and connections to help credit unions truly live the credit union difference locally and nationally. Thank you! We’re grateful for your help to reach our vision to make financial freedom achievable to all through credit unions.
