CUsTogether Employees Conference | |
Hotel registration & scholarships applications due FRIDAY
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The CUsTogether Conference is excited to welcome registrants for its 2024 Employees Conference, set for May 2 - 4 at the Kingston Plantation in North Myrtle Beach, SC. The CUsTogether Employees Conference is for credit union employees in North and South Carolina – from frontline and department staff to supervisors and managers. The schedule features networking opportunities and added free time in the afternoons with the intent to reward hard-working credit union staff members.
Read more here >
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Apply for a Scholarship to CUsTogether!
The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation is offering an emerging leaders scholarship to cover the cost for an employee to attend the event. The scholarship is open to employees from any credit union no matter the asset size; however, stronger consideration is given to those unable to attend because of budgetary concerns. The value of the scholarship is $1,250 to cover the $495 registration fee plus $755 towards accommodations and travel. Applications are due on April 5 and must include an endorsement letter from the CEO or manager. For more details and to apply, click here.
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Advocating for Change: GWLN research, Carolinas alliance lays groundwork for the Women's INSPIRE Conference | |
The Global Women’s Leadership Network is paving the way for a more inclusive, empowering, and stronger future for women in the credit union movement. Read more about GWLN's research here >
In the spirit of expanding opportunity for involvement in the GWLN, the Carolinas is excited to announce that it will be joining the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and sister societies of Alabama, Floridia, Georgia, and North Carolina to host the INSPIRE Conference in 2025. A Sister Society in South Carolina is also in development.
Started in 2023, the conference – designed by women, for women – is a multi-state collaboration that aims to gather women (and men who support women) for amazing networking opportunities and motivational sessions.

LSCU is hosting the event this year, set for November 13 – 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. Click here for more >
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Foundation Community Grants support
Chapters and local non-profits
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The Carolinas Foundation awards non-profits selected by credit union Chapters up to $2,500 with its Community Grant program, matching fundraising efforts by credit union professionals across the Carolinas! | |
The Upstate Chapter raised $375 at a recent meeting for A Child's Haven, a non-profit that treats children with developmental delays as a result of limited resources, abuse, or neglect. | |  |
The Foothills Chapter raised $3,370 for Safe Harbor, a non-profit in Hickory, NC that emp0wers women to rebuild, renew and recover from addiction. | | |
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The National Foundation’s Exploring Why™ is an experiential training program to support and engage employees through connecting to the credit union difference and discovering new and improved ways to drive value for their members and credit unions. Exploring Why is intended for all credit union employees regardless of tenure.
The training program will be held virtually over Zoom in 2-hour sessions over three days. There is NO COST to attend but advance registration is required. Learn more and register today >
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Registration is now open for the 2024 Carolinas Clay Classic! | |
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The annual Carolinas Clay Classic will take place May 17 at Rocky Creek Sporting Clays. Proceeds of the Clay Classic are donated to R.O.A.R. Outdoors. R.O.A.R. seeks to educate, assist, and mediate for those with disabilities to minimize obstacles in outdoor settings and to challenge stereotypes. Thanks to the generosity and participation of so many, past events have raised nearly $50,000 in total for R.O.A.R.
How to participate:
- Team of 4: Can consist of employees, members and/or volunteers
- Individual: Come join the fun and you’ll be placed on an open team
- Attendee: Stop by to network and enjoy lunch
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Silent Auction/Donation: If you can’t make it on May 17th, we are accepting items to be used at our Silent Auction or you can make a donation via the site.
- All abilities are welcome and registration includes: shotgun rental, ammo, cart, event t-shirt and lunch.

Learn more and register today >
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New resources for CU professionals!
The National Credit Union Foundation has launched the FinHealth Hub, an online community of financial well-being practitioners who are passionate about sharing their journeys and learning from each other.
Designed in a “master class” type of format, the goal of the FinHealth Hub is to have people learn, connect, and grow. In the platform, credit union professionals can:
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LEARN: Take courses to learn about financial well-being for All.
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CONNECT: Engage in a forum to collaborate on solving roadblocks and sharing resources.
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GROW: Tap into resources and tools to help take action.
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NEW Streamlined Application Changes |  | |
Working in partnership with Summit Credit Union, the Foundation recently announced important changes to the Hamilton Professional Development Grants program. These changes aim to streamline the application and approval process for credit unions with under $100 million in assets. Credit unions may receive up to $1,000 per year for any approved professional development event(s) and associated travel expenses. The most notable change for 2024 includes year-round funding for small credit unions.
Other grant opportunities from the Hamilton Fund will remain, in addition to the $1,000 grant for professional development expenses, including:
- Performance Pros Consulting Package: value of $1,000
- TalentGuided Executive Coaching Package: value of $2,000
- TalentGuided Business Coaching Package: value of $1,000
To learn more about these changes as well as other benefits the Foundation offers, visit the small credit union grants page. Interested individuals can apply online for a Hamilton Grant.
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Foundation Sponsors ALICE Report in SC |  | |
In late 2023, the Foundation helped fund the commissioned ALICE report in South Carolina through the state’s collective United Way agencies.
ALICE stands for Asset Limited Income Constrained and Employed. These households earn above the Federal Poverty Level but not enough to afford the basics in the communities in which they live. ALICE households are credit union members, credit union employees, and our friends. ALICE households are forced to make tough choices, such as deciding between quality childcare, putting food on the table, healthcare or paying the rent. Households of color are disproportionately ALICE.
This powerful data, available free-of-charge, can support credit union efforts in funding community non-profits, and forging partnerships with organizations focused on breaking down barriers and work to increase financial prosperity for all Carolinians. If you are a SC credit union, please take the opportunity to pull the data for your specific county.
The Foundation is working with the United Way of NC to support its commissioned report in 2024.
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Contact the Foundation:
Lauren Whaley, President | 919-600-8219 | E-mail |
Jeff Hardin, Director of Collaborative Programs | 336-601-1764 | E-mail |
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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 is to empower and inspire credit unions in the Carolinas through collaborative opportunities to enrich our communities. 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 16 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.
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