Press
Minnesota Credit Union Foundation awards $7,500 in financial education grants
ST. PAUL, MN (October 30, 2014) — The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation – with a mission to provide resources for credit unions and communities to prosper and thrive – recently awarded $7,500 in grants to assist with implementing financial education projects.
“These programs are an outstanding illustration of how credit unions put their members and communities first, understanding that improving personal finance skills among all consumers has a positive impact on our state as a whole,” said Foundation Chairman Dave Larson. “The Foundation is pleased to have an opportunity to support fresh, innovative initiatives that provide much-needed financial education.”
Fall 2014 Financial Education Grant recipients include:
Anoka Hennepin Credit Union
Anoka Hennepin Credit Union is creating a free youth checking account with financial education ties. This program rewards young members, ages 13-23, for taking part in online financial education seminars, with the goal of preparing participants for college and beyond.
Cook Area Credit Union
Working to expand on its financial education ties in northern Minnesota, Cook Area Credit Union is seeking to establish a student-run credit union at a second Kindergarten-Grade 12 school in Independent School District #2142. Building on past experience, CACU will work through a student advisory board to develop curriculum and provide personal finance education to various grade levels in the school.
Wakota Federal Credit Union
Promoting wellness through the ties between food, fitness and finance, Wakota Federal Credit Union, Friendchip Farm and St. Paul Farmers’ Markets recently partnered to enhance their community impact. In addition to promoting healthy food choices and exercise, this program will incorporate personal finance education through events at the credit union and online, as well as teaching classroom presentations in local schools and colleges.
The Foundation Board of Directors evaluated applications based on a variety of factors, including credit union value, community impact, collaboration, creativity, and past involvement in and support of Foundation activities. Non-credit union organizations may also apply for grant funding, but must partner with a Minnesota credit union and demonstrate how the project will impact credit unions and their members.
Initiatives must have measurable outcomes, and recipients complete a written follow-up report submitted within 30 days of the project completion.
Additional information and details are available on the Financial Education Grants page of the Foundation website. (www.mncufoundation.org/grant-programs/financial-education-grants)
Keenly focused on financial education and professional development initiatives, the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation is dedicated to providing the resources for credit unions and communities to prosper and thrive. The Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1969 to serve as a charitable arm of the Minnesota credit union movement. For more information, visit www.mncufoundation.org.