NorthPark Community Credit Union latest CDFI Certified CU Strategic Planning client
TACOMA, WA (October 15, 2020) — “This is a huge win for our credit union and gives us another tool to build on our mission of leading our members to achieve financial success,” Carma Parrish, CEO of NorthPark Community Credit Union, said upon learning her credit union had become certified as a Community Development Financial Institution by the U.S. Treasury Department. Credit Union Strategic Planning is the consulting firm the credit union used to help get the certification through to approval.
“It’s been awesome working with CU Strategic Planning!” Parrish continued.“I’m a DIY person, but when a Cadillac rolls up you suddenly feel like Fred Flintstone and you welcome the help. The process was easier than I could ever imagine, and it has kept our focus on what matters, especially during the current challenges.”
Parrish added that the new certification will help NorthPark Community Credit Union maintain its focus on serving the underserved. CU Strategic Planning discovered during the application process that 75% of the credit union’s membership are qualified as low income or below. Fully 45% are considered very low income or lower, and 18% are extremely low income.
“We’re so excited for Carma and NorthPark Community Credit Union, but especially happy that the credit union’s members will receive even more much-needed assistance,” CU Strategic Planning Director of Certification Services Carrie Ostrem said. “The work our team does is quite challenging but oh so rewarding! Our clients are incredibly inspiring and helps us love our jobs even more. Congratulations NorthPark!”
NorthPark Community Credit Union has always been focused on serving the underserved, according to Parrish, but the new CDFI status solidifies it. “This certification and the strategic direction we’re taking with it is refocusing our efforts to be more intentional and precise. Access to CDFI grants will provide much-needed resources and enable us to evolve at a faster pace.”
Parrish concluded, “We are beaming ear to ear! We are honored to be the 8th credit union in Indiana to achieve CDFI certification and I can only hope more will follow as so many Hoosiers need our help.”
Carma Parrish
Carrie Ostrem
About CU Strategic Planning
For more than a decade, CU Strategic Planning has provided business planning services for credit unions with a focus on community development. The company facilitates strategic planning meetings and develops business plans in addition to being the No. 1 CDFI grant-writing firm for credit unions in the country. Through grants, strategic and tactical planning, DEI consulting, community summit facilitation and more, CU Strategic Planning achieves its mission to unlock opportunities for credit unions to change lives and their communities. CU Strategic Planning’s funding for credit unions has reached $770 million.
