NEW! INSPIRE Conference Scholarships.
Credit unions under $100M in assets are invited to apply for a $1,000 scholarship to help cover the cost of registration and hotel accommodations for the 2025 INSPIRE Conference taking place September 17 – 19, 2025 in Charlotte.
$10,000 is available for scholarships to small credit unions. Click here to apply! Applications are being accepted through June 27, 2025.
The Foundation’s Technology and Capital Improvements Grant Program:
Technology and Capital Improvements Grants are available to credit unions with $100 million or less in assets, with priority given to credit unions with less than $50 million in assets. Applications are due September 12, 2025. The Foundation awarded $100,000 in Technology & Capital Improvements Grants in 2024!
The grant program was first launched in 2021 and was kickstarted by the generosity of the Carolinas Credit Union League and CUNA Mutual Group with a $50,000 donation. In 2023, the League followed up with a $75,000 donation. Support continues from credit unions and other supporters donating to our Programs Fund. Winners for the 2023 cycle are noted here and the 2022 cycle winners are here.
Current year grant recipients should complete a Grant Reporting Summary by December 31, 2024. The reporting form is here. To learn more about the program, please click the application bar below.
Hamilton Fund (managed by the Carolinas Foundation):
Thanks to the financial support of Summit Credit Union and the Elizabeth N. and James V. Hamilton Fund, small credit unions are eligible for grants to cover top-tier training and education expenses. Elizabeth “Sis” Hamilton served as the manager and CEO of Summit Credit Union for 60 years and served on the board of directors for 70 years, making her the longest serving credit union volunteer in U.S. history. During that time, she managed as many as five other credit unions while also managing Summit Credit Union. Sis was a pioneer in our industry and valued the important role of small credit unions in our communities. In honor of her legacy and that of her late husband, Summit Credit Union has allocated $100,000 to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation to underwrite its Professional Development Grant Program to preserve the important role of small credit unions in the Carolinas.
Grant Process Cycle for the Hamilton Fund
The Foundation and Summit Credit Union are proud to support small credit unions through the Hamilton Professional Grant Fund program. Credit unions can apply for grants to attend select conferences throughout the year.
- Credit unions are eligible to receive up to $1,000 per calendar year. Grants are accepted first-come, first-serve until grant funds for the year are exhausted. Greater consideration will be given to credit unions with less than $50 million in assets.
- Grants are available for conferences in the Carolinas as well as regional and national opportunities and strategic planning services. Unless otherwise noted, grants will be awarded in the form of discount codes to be used at the time of registration for the dollar value listed.
- If urgent grant funding is needed, please email [email protected].
- Conference registration, travel and accommodation expenses up to the allocated grant amount may be covered. All receipts must be provided for reimbursement.
- To seek reimbursement for travel expenses please complete the online reimbursement request form here.
Other 2025 Grant Opportunities from the Hamilton Fund
- Performance Pros Consulting is offering the opportunity for 10 credit unions to receive a discounted on-site visit with for loan policy review and frontline coaching to increase loan growth. (Available year-round). Click here for more details.
- The Carolinas Credit Union League’s TalentGuided program (Available year-round with limited funding)
- There are two grant packages available (please indicate your preference on the application):
- Executive Coaching Package: $2,000 toward eight executive coaching sessions, with a remaining cost of $800 for your credit union. Executive coaching is an on-target, tailored, expedited, and effective way of boosting your leadership skills as a member of the C-suite at your organization.
- Business Coaching Package: $1,000 toward eight business coaching sessions, with a remaining cost of $400 for your credit union. Business coaching is individually tailored to your needs. The process of having your expert “guide on the side” will help you—at any stage in your career—set better goals, reach your goals, make better decisions, and improve your relationships.
- There are two grant packages available (please indicate your preference on the application):
- Enhanced Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP). Registration closes on April 30, 2025.
Principles & Philosophy Conference Scholarships
The Carolinas CUDEs created the Principles & Philosophy Conference in 2010 in order to provide credit union staff with an in-depth look at the credit union business model, the Seven Cooperative Principles and the role of credit unions in the financial system. Presented in partnership with the Carolinas Credit Union League each year, the conference has grown into a vital educational event for the benefit of credit union staff and volunteers. Earnings from the conference each year are swept into the Carolinas CUDE Scholarship Fund at the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation.
Credit unions $100 million or less in assets are eligible for scholarship funds for the Principles & Philosophy Conference Scholarships
include meals, lodging, tuition and conference materials. Applications are accepted through the first Friday in September each year. If you are interested in applying for or learning more about these scholarship opportunities, please contact Jeff Hardin, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation’s director of collaborative programs, at 336-601-1764.
CUDE Scholarships
CUDE Scholarship opportunities are available to staff at credit unions of all sizes that have successfully completed the Principles & Philosophy Conference. More information about the CUDE Scholarship Program and the Carolinas CUDE group is available here.