November 2020
Remembering Credit Union Leader Dale Owen
The Iowa Credit Union Foundation expresses its deepest sorrow in the loss of one of our own. Dale Owen, CEO of Ascentra Credit Union, served the Iowa Credit Union Foundation Board of Directors for nearly a decade in the roles of Vice Chair and Chair. Dale put people first in everything he did. During his time on our board, Dale’s leadership was essential in growing the impact of our programs - touching thousands of credit union members with critical grants and programs. We are eternally grateful for Dale and the impact he had on Iowans of modest means. 

Our work will continue to shine thanks to the light inspired in us by Dale. We are forever grateful to you. We share our deepest condolences with Dale’s family and everyone at Ascentra Credit Union. Memorials may be made in Dale's honor to the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation, Augustana College, Iowa Credit Union Foundation or the Rock Island/Milan Education Foundation.
Jelena Babic Barnes Joins ICUF Team
ICUF is excited to welcome Jelena "Ena" Babic Barnes to the team as a part-time program manager! Please help us welcome her. Ena will work on a variety of ICUF programs and initiatives. She will assist with grant programming and support the implementation of financial education programs, fundraising and communications.

Ena has worked in the non-profit sector in Europe for more than 12 years, helping non-profits, business support organizations and institutions develop programs and activities. She's also focused on helping organizations attain financial and institutional support - allowing them to achieve sustainability and growth.

Ena has an undergraduate degree in International Relations from the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade. She recently moved to the United States, and resides in Des Moines. Welcome, Ena!
Credit Unions Can Support ICUF Through ICUL Dues Renewal Process
Included in the Iowa Credit Union League (ICUL) annual dues solicitation is an ask to consider a charitable gift to our foundation. These donations support ICUF’s overall mission based initiatives and allow us to respond to the critical needs of Iowans. Last year, Iowa credit unions committed more than $113,000 to ICUF during the ICUL dues solicitation. These donations allowed us to ensure that all dollars raised for COVID-19 and derecho support went directly to Iowans in need, and not to operational costs. 

Please consider supporting ICUF this year by designating a gift in your ICUL dues notice. We are so grateful for the commitment from Iowa credit unions toward our collective mission!

Thank you to these credit unions for making a donation to ICUF in their league dues notice: 
  • CENT Credit Union
  • Des Moines Metro Credit Union
  • Financial Plus Credit Union
  • First Class Community Credit Union
  • Fort Dodge Family Credit Union
  • Industrial Employees Credit Union
  • Iowa Heartland Credit Union
  • Members Community Credit Union
  • Meridian Credit Union
  • N.W. Iowa Credit Union
  • Quaker Oats Credit Union
  • River Community Credit Union
  • The Family Credit Union
  • United Credit Union
If you are not representing a credit union, or would like to give a personal donation, click here.
Disaster Grant Applications Available to Credit Union Members
Thanks to donor support, ICUF is able to provide emergency disaster grants to Iowa credit union members who are displaced from their homes due to unforeseen disasters such as tornadoes, flooding or fire. This year alone, ICUF has granted $11,500 to Iowa credit union members from the following credit unions:
  • Ascentra Credit Union
  • Collins Community Credit Union
  • Dupaco Community Credit Union
  • DuPont Employees Credit Union
  • DuTrac Community Credit Union
  • Linn Area Credit Union
  • Metco Credit Union
  • The Family Credit Union
  • Veridian Credit Union
Unfortunately, disaster grant applications traditionally see an upward trend during the holidays. If you have a member in need of financial assistance due to a disaster, or have a question about the program, email ICUF.
Rental Assistance Accessible for Derecho Victims
On Thursday, November 5, Governor Kim Reynolds announced $1 million in funding through the federal HOME program to assist eligible renters impacted by the August 10 derecho.

Renters in Benton, Boone, Cedar, Clinton, Jasper, Linn, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story or Tama counties impacted by the derecho are encouraged to contact the Eastern Iowa Housing Corporation, Anawim Housing or the City of Cedar Rapids to apply for assistance. Eligible residents must have a household income of at or below 80% of the area median income to qualify.
Support ICUF Through AmazonSmile Program
Amazon Smile
With holiday shopping just around the corner, did you know that shopping at smile.amazon.com can support ICUF's ongoing impact?

When shopping at smile.amazon.com, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the price of all eligible AmazonSmile purchases to selected charitable organizations.
Encourage Membership to Apply For Warren A. Morrow Memorial Scholarship
Please consider encouraging credit union membership to apply for a 2021 Warren A. Morrow Memorial Scholarship. Applications are open to Iowa credit union members who are high school seniors or collegiate students.

Applications include a 500 word essay requirement. The deadline to submit applications is February 5, 2021. Encourage your membership to learn more about this scholarship and apply! Click here to find scholarship promotional resources in Spanish.
Featured Community Impact Stories
Thank you to our donors!
Thank you to our recent donors, who made contributions to support ICUF's mission-based initiatives!
  • Amy Kepler
  • Cassidy Peterson
  • Matthew de Bisshop
  • Midwest Community Credit Union
  • Telco Triad Community Credit Union
  • Peoples Credit Union
  • PolicyWorks Iowa
  • Storey Kenworthy
For questions regarding any information in the newsletter, please contact Jaimie Miller at 515.221.3001.
ICUF was established in 1995. Our mission is to empower people and communities to achieve financial well-being by championing the credit union philosophy of "people helping people."