October 2022

Applications are open for ICUF's 2022 Small Credit Union Grant. Credit unions at or under $50 million in assets qualify for this grant.

Credit unions may apply for grants in these categories:

• New credit union technology improvements
• Strategic planning and consultation services (including DEI related consultation or training services)
• Covering cost to participate in a paid training or education event offered by ICUL or CUNA

To apply for this grant, download and complete this application. Finished applications must be emailed to ICUF by November 11 at 5:00 p.m.

The small credit union grant is made possible thanks to donor support from Veridian Credit Union.

On November 1, the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) will he holding a webinar at 10:00 a.m. for lenders to learn more about the recently announced Iowa Homeowner Assistance Fund Program. 

This new program provides assistance for eligible homeowners at-risk of foreclosure. The IFA program is in partnership with more than 100 mortgage service lenders, providing one-time assistance of up to $25,000 per household. 

Click here to learn more about the Iowa Homeowner Assistance Fund.

Register for the webinar here. 

The League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates, the regional trade association representing Alabama, Florida, and Georgia credit unions, has been coordinating disaster relief efforts to ensure credit unions and their teams have the resources they need to get through this difficult time. Donations for disaster relief are being accepted here. 

The Iowa Finance Authority's HOME Grant Program will grant funds for defined residential unit construction projects focused on targeted area median income (AMI) levels. Funding may be used for the following activities:

• Owner-occupied new home construction, rehabilitation, and adaptive re-use
• Down payment assistance to eligible homeowners securing ownership of the above-described eligible project type.

Projects must result in providing affordable housing to Iowans whose income is up to 80% AMI. Learn about the Iowa HOME Grant Program here. 

Do you know of elderly, disabled or low-income members who may benefit from assistance in paying their heating bills?

IMPACT Community Action Partnership is taking applications for the 2022–2023 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through April 30, 2023.

This program is available for eligible participants in Boone, Jasper, Marion, Polk or Warren counties. 

A longtime financial well-being champion in the credit union industry, Gigi Hyland has spent her career empowering credit unions to work within their communities to address today’s unique financial health challenges.

She was recently featured in the Financial Health Network's EMERGE Everywhere podcast. Listen to the podcast to hear how credit unions can better serve their members’ financial needs, technology’s role in building financial well-being, and the deeply intertwined relationship between physical health and financial health.

Thank you to our recent donors, who made contributions to support ICUF's mission-based initiatives.

• Matthew De Bisschop
• Lorna Kohn