NAPERVILLE, IL (September 17, 2015) — The Illinois Credit Union Foundation (ICU Foundation) has been supporting credit union ideals for nearly four decades and most recently provided more than $66,000 in grants and scholarships to help the Illinois movement thrive.
Because of the Foundation’s involvement, small credit unions have gained several new hardware and software resources that will serve as the backbone of their operations. Small Credit Union Development (SCUD) Grants totaling $22,000 were awarded to a dozen credit unions. They included: Champaign Postal Credit Union, Decatur Policemen Credit Union, Decatur Postal Credit Union, Elgin Mental Health Employees Credit Union, NIU Employees Credit Union, Oak Lawn Municipal Employees Credit Union, Parish Members Credit Union, Park Manor Christian Church Credit Union, Peoria City Employees Credit Union, Peru Municipal Credit Union, St. Jude Credit Union and Urbana Municipal Employees Credit Union.
Many credit unions focus on member relationships and giving back to their communities. Eight credit unions will be doing just that by holding food drives, supporting local charities, providing financial literacy education, and hosting shred days. The ICU Foundation’s Community Service grant program, which is designed to encourage and reward participation in local community projects, fits the bill. A collective total of $4,000 has been provided to: Altonized Community Federal Credit Union, Blackhawk Area Credit Union, DuPage Credit Union, Education Personnel Federal Credit Union, Heights Autoworkers Credit Union, Landmark Credit Union, R.I.A. Federal Credit Union, and South Division Credit Union.
Reaching young professionals and new members is vital to the credit union movement’s future. Rounding out this cycle of grants were three credit unions that received Marketing and Business Development grants, which totaled $4,500, to support outreach efforts such as relevant educational opportunities and an online lending program. The grant recipients were: Fellowship Baptist Church Credit Union, Peru Municipal Credit Union, and Rockford Bell Credit Union.
There is one more key opportunity for Illinois credit unions and chapters to apply for grants yet this year – October 31. In addition, scholarships are reviewed on an on-going basis while funds last. Online and downloadable grant request forms are available via the League’s Web site
The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) is the primary trade association for 217 state and federal credit unions in Illinois. It focuses on providing legislative and regulatory advocacy, compliance assistance and information, and a wide range of educational and training services to those credit unions, who in turn serve approximately 3.4 million members. More information can be found at www.icul.com.
Melissa Vidito
Illinois Credit Union System
630-637-3965
melissa.vidito@envisant.com
