The annual ICUF Benefit Night Fundraiser was held September 18 in Dubuque, bringing together credit union leaders and supporters to celebrate ICUF’s 30 years of impact. Led by Executive Director Ena Babic Barnes, Board Chair Jordan Hensley and Board Vice Chair Julie Willse. The program also honored the 2025 Community Impact Award recipients—Tom Blanford, Greg Hanshaw, and Heather Waffle-Terrance—for their outstanding dedication to the credit union movement. Find photos of the event here.

Thanks to the generosity of our attendees and sponsors, Benefit Night was record-breaking, raising more than $118,000 to support ICUF’s mission-driven programs and ensure future financial well-being opportunities for Iowans.

ICUF is now accepting applications for the 2025 Small Credit Union Grant, available to credit unions with $75 million or less in assets. This grant helps strengthen small credit unions by providing support in the following areas:

• Succession planning and other consultation or planning services
• Technology upgrades to improve operations and member service
• Paid training or educational events offered by ICUL or America’s Credit Unions

Applications are due by November 14. To apply, download and complete the application, then email it to ICUF. This opportunity is made possible through the generous donor support of Veridian Credit Union.

The Financial Health Network’s 2025 U.S. Trends Report shows modest short-term improvements in financial health but ongoing long-term challenges and persistent disparities.

For credit unions, these insights are valuable for shaping programs and services that directly support members’ financial well-being. By addressing gaps in savings, planning, and access, credit unions can help members build stability, resilience, and opportunity in an uncertain economic landscape.

National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans, celebrating the heritage rooted in all Latin American countries.

Many Iowa communities are home to large Hispanic populations served by credit unions. How are you observing? Learn more here.

Each year, International Credit Union (ICU) Day brings people from credit unions worldwide together to celebrate their cooperative history and achievements while promoting the international credit union movement. This year's theme is Cooperation for a Prosperous World.

Learn more about ICU days and find ideas on celebrating here.

Thank you to our recent donors, who made contributions to support ICUF's mission-based initiatives. Every gift makes a difference!

• Dave Cale
• MJ Dolan
• Rebecca Neades

• Bob Hoefer
• Quinlan Riser
• Veridian Credit Union

ICUF Friend of the Foundation Campaign Donors

• Jodi Allen
• Linda Andry
• Michelle Ariss
• Lisa Bowers
• Laurie Bruggewirth
• Dave Cale
• Renee Christoffer
• Dawn Davis
• Matthew de Bisschop
• Denise Dolan
• Kim Fettkether
• Mark Franke
• Brittany Freeman
• Beth Grabin
• Danielle Gratton
• Anne Hagen
• Greg & Julie Hanshaw
• Chelsi Harbert
• Kelly Harms
• Randy Hass
• Joe Hearn
• Jenifer Hegarty
• Darby Hill
• Marian Holmes
• Brooke Holven
• Justin Hupfer
• Christiane Hyland
• Brittany Johnson
• Dan Limbert
• Larry Loss
• Cathleen Mahon

• Christian Marcussen
• Alexis Meade
• Makayla Meysenburg
• Jaimie Miller
• Jennifer Naeve
• Paula O'Rourke
• Erin O’Hern
• John Parks
• Gwen Peters
• Allison Pleasant
• Crystal Pluth
• Lindsey Ramos
• Myranda Reasoner
• Amie Reynolds
• Shelly Ridgeway
• Sherokee Sellers
• Cindy Sprole
• Traci Stiles
• Kat Sukup
• Jaime Thomas
• Cherie Tilson
• Megan Tjernagel
• Crystal Unkel
• Ashley Vanderheiden
• Michael Wahlin
• Michael Weeks
• Jami Weems
• Courtney Williams
• Murray Williams
• Julie Willse