Limited tickets remain for the inspirational Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Awards Gala on February 9, 2023 in Concord, NC. Held in conjunction with the Carolinas Credit Union League’s LAUNCH Conference, the Gala serves as the Foundation’s annual premier fundraising event, celebrating statewide and individual award winners that make the credit union industry in the Carolinas truly remarkable.

Coastal Credit Union Chief Culture & Impact Officer Creighton Blackwell returns as emcee to lead the evening’s recognition of 2022 Hero Awards honorees, which includes four individuals and two credit unions, and 23 state-level 2022 CUNA Awards winners.

Acclaim FCU, Allegacy FCU, Carolina Trust FCU, Greenville FCU, Palmetto Citizens FCU, REV FCU, SPC CU, Spero Financial, SRP FCU, State Employees’ CU, Summit CU, Telco Community FCU, and Truliant FCU.

Credit union staff and volunteers gathered to learn and explore cooperative philosophy and the social purpose of credit unions at the 12th annual Principles & Philosophy Conference October 25-27 at the Caraway Conference Center in Sophia, NC. Produced in partnership with the League, Foundation and Credit Union Development Educators, this unique interactive and experiential event spotlighting the credit union difference drew a record 56 people in 2022.  

Save the date: The 2023 Principles and Philosophy Conference is scheduled for October 24-26 with registration opening in the Spring.

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The Board of Directors is honored to welcome Scott Woods to the Foundation Board to fill the remaining term of Bonnie Ciuffo. Scott has served as President & CEO of South Carolina Federal Credit Union since 2004. Woods, a CPA, is currently the Chair of the Board of Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union and also serves on the League's Governmental Affairs Committee, having previously served on numerous industry boards both regionally and nationally.

Bonnie Ciuffo served as the Chair of the Foundation Board for the last two years and was instrumental in the development of the Technology and Capital Improvement Grant program and the Foundation's strategic focus and growth over the last five years. She currently serves as Consulting President of South Carolina Financial Solutions, LLC, a CUSO wholly owned by South Carolina Federal Credit Union and plans to retire in Fall 2023 after 29 years in the industry.

The Foundation recently announced that a record five scholarships to attend Credit Union Development Educator (DE) training in 2023 were awarded. The signature program of the National Credit Union Foundation, DE builds awareness of the development issues that prevent people from achieving financial freedom—and how credit unions are uniquely positioned to address them. The scholarship recipients include Autumn Solomon of Carolinas Telco Federal Credit Union, Tiffany Segady of Civic Federal Credit Union, Sephorah Beukenboom and Hannah McGee of Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, and Kelly Nix of REV Federal Credit Union.

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Now entering its second year, the Foundation's Technology and Capital Improvement Grants provide opportunities for small credit unions, $100 million or less in assets, to apply for and receive funding in four key areas: technology or security upgrades, capital improvements, underserved outreach and consulting services. A total of 18 credit unions submitted applications in 2022 (totaling $273,325.93 in requested funds), with nine credit unions selected to receive $80,969 in grants.



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The support from North and South Carolina credit unions made the 18th Annual Carolinas Cup and the most successful yet, raising just over $148,000 for Victory Junction! The friendly tournament between states is organized each year by CUNA Mutual Group, with special recognition owed to the many generous sponsors, auction contributors, players, and volunteers. The addition of this year’s contributions brings the Carolinas Cup fundraising grand total to more than a $1 million raised for Victory Junction since the tournament began 18 years ago.

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The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation’s Annual Meeting of the Members & Directors will be held virtually at 10:00 am on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Please email Lauren Whaley at lwhaley@carolinasfoundation.org for meeting details. Those interested in serving on the Foundation’s Board of Directors may submit a Declaration of Candidacy form for consideration by the Nominating Committee. Forms must be submitted prior to March 1, 2023 for consideration.