Awards Portal Opens for Gala Honorees
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Applications due August 1
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Nominations from credit unions in the Carolinas are received electronically in the summer of each year for the awards program honoring three credit union pioneers who made a lasting impact on the worldwide credit union movement: Alphonse Desjardins, Dora Maxwell and Louise Herring.
America’s Credit Unions (formerly CUNA), created these three awards to recognize credit unions for their remarkable and innovative efforts to support communities, provide financial education, and implement the credit union philosophy in daily operations. All statewide nominations are honored at the Foundation’s Awards Gala, which is held in conjunction with the Carolinas Credit Union League’s LAUNCH Conference, slated for February 2025.
Please note that America’s Credit Unions has temporarily suspended the awards program in 2024, meaning no national-level competition will take place for 1st place state-level winners from the Carolinas.
Learn more about the awards program and apply today >>
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Cheers! Sponsor, Donate & Play to Support Foundation Programs at the Wine Pull
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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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Supporting Our Fallen Officers
Carolinas Foundation & CUs donate to the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation
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After four law enforcement officials were killed and four others injured in an east Charlotte shootout on April 29, an outpouring of support has been shown, including that from the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation as well as Civic/LGFCU, Skyla and Allegacy.
$2,500 from the Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund was sent to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Foundation to its Help Our Heroes Fund. This fund is divided into two sources, one for "emergency relief for officers' families" and one for mental health resources for first responders who were impacted. If you are so inclined to make a donation, visit their page online here or checks can be mailed to:
CMPD Foundation
PO Box 32084
Charlotte, NC 28232
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Foundations Unite for Second Annual Philanthropy Summit | |
The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, Coastal Credit Union Foundation, Civic Local Foundation, and SECU Foundation joined forces to host the second annual Philanthropy Summit on April 22 and 23 in Raleigh, NC. The summit is a professional development workshop offered free of charge to all participants. Over 70 North Carolina nonprofit organizations received education and training aligning with the eight cooperative principles and embodied the credit union industry mission of people serving people.
Read More >>
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Foundation Launches New
Retirement Experience Resource
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In partnership with the Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation, a new Retirement Experience resource is now available to Carolinas credit unions, offering an experiential learning program that helps individuals think about what kind of retirement they want and then how to design a roadmap to get there. SRP FCU purchased the Retirement Experience and unveiled it to its members at a recent community event.
“The feedback from our members has been overwhelmingly positive, and the level of engagement was truly inspiring. During the event, our members participated enthusiastically and enjoyed the interactive format that required teamwork. It was a joy to see everyone so involved and actively contributing to the discussions. Many expressed their excitement about sharing what they learned with their family members, extending the impact of the event beyond just those who attended,” noted Tawanaca Williams, CUDE, CCUFC, Financial Services Engagement Developer.
Email Lauren Whaley for more details >>
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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 empowers women to rebuild, renew and recover from addiction. | | |
Foundation Sponsors ALICE Report in SC | |
NC Report coming later this year!
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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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