The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, in partnership with our generous sponsors, is hosting a powerful one-day workshop on May 6th and registration is now open!



Rooted in the National Credit Union Foundation's CUDE program, this event explores the 12 interconnected Development Issues that impact the financial well-being of our members and communities and, more importantly, what credit unions are doing about them. Through dynamic sessions and real-world spotlights, you'll hear directly from non-profits, community partners, and credit union leaders showcasing bold, solutions-driven programs making a real difference.

This event is open to any credit union employee or industry partner passionate about social responsibility and financial well-being. Come ready to learn, connect, and be inspired.

REGISTER TODAY below!

Your Members Need This. Your Community is Ready. Are You?

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Vizio Financial Corporate Credit Union, a remarkable opportunity is available for credit unions across North and South Carolina regardless of asset size. Through the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation's financial education grant program, up to $50,000 is awarded annually, with individual grants of up to $10,000 to fuel meaningful member and community impact.

Collaborative proposals with fellow credit unions or community partners are strongly encouraged because we know the most powerful change happens when we work together. Priority is given to initiatives where budget constraints have been a barrier to outreach, ensuring that no great idea goes unfunded simply due to limited resources.

If you've been waiting for the right moment to launch or expand a financial education initiative, this is it. Don't let this opportunity pass your community by.

APPLY TODAY!

Time is Running Out. Don't Miss CUsTogether 2026!

Registration is closing this week for the 2026 CUsTogether Employees Conference, and seats are filling fast. This is your team's chance to be part of three transformative days of learning, leadership development, and genuine connection all rooted in the cooperative spirit that makes our movement so powerful.

The conference concludes on Saturday, April 25 at 9:00 a.m. with our exciting Emerging Leaders Panel, featuring five outstanding credit union professionals: Perla Caballero (Greensboro Postal), Christina Glen (SECU), E.J. McDuffie (Skyla), Ashley McDaniel (REV), and Kaci Thornton (Founders). These rising stars are shaping the future of our movement, and you won't want to miss their stories and insights!

This year, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation is proud to kick things off with a Poverty Simulation ahead of the conference, a deeply impactful experience that brings the realities of financial hardship to life. Interested in participating or lending a hand as a volunteer? Reach out to Jeff Hardin to get involved.

Scholarships are available for emerging leaders, so cost doesn't have to be a barrier. And every dollar from event proceeds goes directly to support the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, meaning your registration is an investment in something much bigger than a conference.

Invest in your team. Invest in your culture. Invest in the movement. Register before it's too late!

Join the Piedmont Chapter of Credit Unions for its 33rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, May 22!

The Foundation is grateful to serve as the beneficiary of the Piedmont Chapter's golf tournament proceeds. Single player registration starts at $125 with sponsorships ranging from $1,500 - $50. Start your weekend with a day on the golf course with the opportunity to support the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation!

Funding Opportunities to Fuel Your Mission

The right resources at the right time can turn a great idea into real, lasting change. Below, we've rounded up some exciting upcoming funding opportunities to help your credit union invest in leadership, deepen community impact, and grow stronger across the Carolinas. Don't leave money on the table!

Hamilton Small CU Grants* – Year-Round Application Window

Vizo Financial Empowerment Grants – Open from Feb 1 to May 1

FiCEP* – Registration EXTENDED to April 10

CUDE/ICUDE Scholarships – Open from June 1 to August 15

CU FinHealth Scholarships - Due June 15 
Tech & Capital Improvement Grants* – Open from June 1 to October 1

P&P Scholarships* – Application Deadline September 4

These opportunities move quickly and we don’t want you to miss a chance to turn purpose into action. (*small credit union grants only)

Credit union professionals who are financial counselors or educators in the Carolinas are invited to register for the 10th Annual CU FinHealth Conference, taking place September 22–23, 2026, in downtown Denver, Colorado. This milestone event celebrates a decade of advancing financial well-being and bringing together leaders, researchers, innovators, and partners from across the industry. 

New this year, the conference is being collaboratively hosted by the Cornerstone Foundation, Fuel Solutions Inc., and nine state credit union foundations - joining forces to deliver an engaging and impactful program focused on improving financial health for all.

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation will provide two $1,500 scholarships available for any professional, regardless of credit union asset size! Applications are due by June 15, 2026.

Contact the Foundation:

Lauren Whaley, President | 919-600-8219 | E-mail |

Jeff Hardin, Director of Collaborative Programs | 336-601-1764 | E-mail |

Aisha Everett, Director of Strategy & Communication | 678-849-9677 | E-mail |

Melody Fisher, Program Coordinator | E-mail |

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation was incorporated in 1993 as a charitable organization dedicated to the embodiment of the “people helping people” philosophy of credit unions. Its mission to empower and inspire credit unions in the Carolinas through collaboration and philanthropic leadership. The Foundation serves as a founding partner to Victory Junction, a year-round camping facility, located in Randleman, NC, for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Over the last 20 years, more than $5 million has been raised by credit unions in the Carolinas to support its camp and outreach programs. The Foundation also serves as a partner in philanthropy with credit unions, assisting charitable giving through donor-advised funds, managing scholarship programs, supporting small credit unions with professional development grants, and aiding disaster relief for the local, national, and global credit union communities.