December 2021
The ICUF office will be closed in observance of the holidays on Friday, December 24 and Friday, December 30. Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season!
Empowering people and communities to
achieve financial well-being by
championing the credit union philosophy
of 'people helping people'.
Jelena Babic Barnes Named ICUF Executive Director
Please join us in congratulating Jelena “Ena” Babic Barnes on being named the new Executive Director of ICUF. Ena has served ICUF as program manager since 2020. In the executive director role, she will oversee the daily operations of ICUF, fundraising and administration of valuable programs that support financial well-being in Iowa.

“Jelena is a passionate advocate for the underserved in Iowa,” said Ann McMillian, board chairperson of ICUF. “We are very excited to see where she will take ICUF in this new role.”

Congratulations, Ena!
2022 ICUF Executive Committee Elected
The 2022 ICUF Executive Committee has been elected. Please help us congratulate and thank the following people for their support and work on behalf of ICUF:

  • Chair: Ann McMillian of I.H. Mississippi Valley Credit Union
  • Vice-Chair: Marian Holmes of Community 1st Credit Union
  • Treasurer: Julie Wilse of Greater Iowa Credit Union
  • Secretary: Jordan Hensley of Peoples Credit Union
Resources for Those Impacted by Severe Weather
Following the recent severe weather across the state, Governor Kim Reynolds has issued multiple press releases announcing disaster proclamations for 49 counties (initial press release for 43 counties, second press release for additional six counties). For more information on available resources at the state level, click here.

In addition, ICUF has activated its Disaster Relief Grant Program in order to support impacted credit union members. Disaster grants are limited and provide emergency cash assistance to Iowa credit union members who have been displaced from their homes due to significant damage caused by a natural disaster. Contact info@iowacreditunionfoundation.org for more information.
2021 ICUF Small Credit Union Grant Recipients
Congratulations to the recipients of the Iowa Credit Union Foundation's 2021 Small Credit Union Grants:

  • Allen Hospital Personnel Credit Union
  • Capitol View Credit Union
  • Casebine Community Credit Union
  • Family Community Credit Union
  • Gas and Electric Employees Credit Union
  • Metco Credit Union
  • Muni Employees Credit Union
  • St. Athanasius Credit Union
  • Town & Country Credit Union
  • UNITE Credit Union

This grant program provides Iowa credit unions $50 million in assets and below the opportunity to invest in new technology, consultation, education and COVID-19 related purchases. Thank you to Veridian Credit Union for making this grant program possible.
Giving Tuesday Campaign Raises More Than $1,000
On November 30, ICUF participated in Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to doing good and supporting community organizations. More than $1,000 was raised for ICUF on Giving Tuesday. Thank you to all who donated in support of ICUF's mission! These gifts will allow ICUF to invest in critical programs and champion the credit union philosophy of "people helping people".

If you were unable to donate on Giving Tuesday but would like to support the Foundation, click here.
Promote Warren A. Morrow Memorial Scholarships Through School Holiday Breaks
With the upcoming school holidays, we're asking for your assistance in keeping the 2022 Warren A. Morrow Memorial Scholarship applications top-of-mind for students on break. Please promote this opportunity to your membership! All Iowa credit union members who are high school seniors or post-secondary students may apply.

Applications include a 500 word essay requirement. The deadline to submit applications is February 4, 2022. Encourage your membership to learn more about this scholarship and apply! Click here to find scholarship promotional resources in Spanish.
ICUF Store to Sell T-Shirts and Budgeting Notebooks
Looking for a budgeting resource (for yourself, your team or your members)? Wanting the perfect t-shirt to round out your collection? Look no further!

The Foundation has recently opened ICUFstore.com. Currently, the store is selling budgeting notebooks and Dale Owen memorial t-shirts (proceeds funding natural disaster grants for Iowans). Check it out today!
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.

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

Thank you to those who have elected to support ICUF through their dues renewal so far:
  • 1st Gateway Credit Union
  • ACE Credit Union
  • Advantage Credit Union
  • Allen Hospital Personnel Credit Union
  • Alliant Credit Union
  • Ascentra Credit Union
  • Capitol View Credit Union
  • Casebine Community Credit Union
  • CENT Credit Union
  • Des Moines Metro Credit Union
  • Dupaco Community Credit Union
  • DuTrac Community Credit Union
  • Employees Credit Union
  • Financial Plus Credit Union
  • First Class Community Credit Union
  • First Federal Credit Union
  • Fort Dodge Family Credit Union
  • IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union
  • Industrial Employees Credit Union
  • Iowa Heartland Credit Union
  • Lennox Employees Credit Union
  • MEMBERS1st Community Credit Union
  • Members Community Credit Union
  • Meridian Credit Union
  • Metco Credit Union
  • Midland Credit Union
  • Midwest Community Credit Union
  • N.W. Iowa Credit Union
  • North Iowa Community Credit Union
  • North Western Employees Credit Union
  • Peoples Credit Union
  • Power Co-op Employees Credit Union
  • Premier Credit Union
  • Quaker Oats Credit Union
  • River Community Credit Union
  • Serve Credit Union
  • Sioux Valley Community Credit Union
  • The Family Credit Union
  • The Hub-Co Credit Union
  • United Credit Union
If you are not representing a credit union, or would like to give a personal donation, click here.
Read > Watch > Listen > Engage
Thank you to our donors!
Thank you to our recent donors, who made contributions to support ICUF's mission-based initiatives.
  • Alejandro Alaniz
  • Ena Babic Barnes
  • Mark Boehm
  • Mary Bontrager
  • John Cacciatore & Robin Ahnen-Cacciatore
  • Emily Caropreso
  • Ashley Conover
  • Greg & Julie Hanshaw
  • Chelsie Madden
  • Gervas Mgonja
  • Jaimie Miller-Ackley
  • Joe Montez
  • Lisa Mueller
  • John Parks
  • Traci Stiles
  • Travis & Traci Schipper
  • Patrick & Laurie Wubbena
For questions regarding any information in the newsletter, please contact Ena Babic Barnes at 515.221.3002.
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."