WASHINGTON, DC (January 5, 2026) |
The Defense Credit Union Council, DCUC, is proud to announce that DCUC’s 2025 Conference with a Purpose raised $60,000 for Fisher House Foundation, marking the largest fundraising total in DCUC conference history. This year’s success brings the cumulative funds raised through DCUC’s Conference with a Purpose initiative to $523,000 since its inception in 2003.
“Every year, our members and partners show up with incredible generosity, but this year they truly exceeded all expectations,” said Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO. “Breaking our conference fundraising record is a testament to the deep commitment our credit union community has to serving military and veteran families. We were honored to support Fisher House as this year’s conference charity, an organization that has such a profound and lasting impact on those who sacrifice so much for our country.”
This year’s fundraiser featured multiple engagement opportunities, including an online Silent Auction, the popular 50/50 drawing, and mulligan and gimme string sales during the Annual VADM Vincent Lascara Golf Tournament. DCUC’s Board of Directors and Earnest Consulting Group (ECG) generously matched the full proceeds from the Silent Auction, adding to the total funds raised.
Conference attendees and guests heard directly from Tish Stropes, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Fisher House Foundation, who joined AFFN President and CEO John Broda for a conversation highlighting the organization’s mission of providing a “home away from home” for military and veteran families during medical crises. The discussion offered a powerful look into the real-world impact Fisher House has on families when they need it most. View a short clip of this discussion here.
Following the conference, Stropes expressed appreciation for Fisher House being selected as this year’s Conference with a Purpose charity beneficiary and extended her gratitude to DCUC, attendees, sponsors, and Earnest Consulting Group for their generosity and support.
“We are deeply grateful to DCUC for choosing Fisher House Foundation as this year’s Conference with a Purpose beneficiary,” says Stropes. “The incredible generosity shown by DCUC members, sponsors, and partners directly supports our mission to keep military and veteran families close to their loved ones during times of medical need. This support makes a meaningful difference for families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.”
Founded on the belief that no military family should face financial hardship while supporting a loved one receiving medical care, Fisher House Foundation has provided more than 13 million lodging days to service members, veterans, and their families at no cost.
“Fisher House was built on a simple promise, that families should never have to choose between being together and bearing an unnecessary burden,” says Ken Fisher, CEO and Chairman of Fisher House Foundation. “The compassion and generosity shown by DCUC and its members ensure that this promise continues for generations of military and veteran families. Their support directly translates into comfort, dignity, and hope during life’s most challenging moments.”
Generous contributions came from DCUC member credit unions, including Fort Sill FCU, Global CU, Kirtland FCU, Scott CU, and Tinker FCU, as well as valued DCUC Elite Partner, Earnest Consulting Group (ECG), and sponsor, TruStage. The collective support for this year’s conference fundraiser reflects the defense credit union community’s unwavering dedication to service beyond financial stewardship.
“With this record-breaking year, we are reminded that when our community rallies around a cause greater than ourselves, the impact is extraordinary,” Hernandez says. “This truly was a conference with a purpose, and one that will make a meaningful difference for military families across the nation.”
