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Small Credit Union Grants

Thank you so much for this opportunity. This scholarship will allow me to receive an Executive Coach to help in achieving higher goals personally and for my credit union. The foundation’s generosity and support is an investment in the advancement of the credit union movement.

Christie Smith

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Acclaim Federal Credit Union

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation helps enrich the lives of those in the Carolinas by supporting the ability of credit unions to make a greater impact in their communities. Through Foundation’s various small credit union grant offerings, credit union staff and volunteers are able to grow their knowledge and improve their operations to better serve their members. Outlined below are the grant opportunities available to small credit unions with asset thresholds noted for each.

The Foundation’s Technology and Capital Improvements Grant Program:

In June of 2021, the Foundation announced a new Technology and Capital Improvements Grant Program for credit unions with $100 million or less in assets with priority given to credit unions with less than $50 million in assets. This new grant program was kickstarted by the generosity of the Carolinas Credit Union League and CUNA Mutual Group as well as credit unions in the Carolinas who participate in the Community Investment Fund and other fundraising activities by the Foundation. 2021 winners were announced in August, with nine small credit unions under $100M in assets receiving a total of $80,000 for technology and capital improvement needs. To view more details on the program and the 2021 winners, please click here. If you are a grant recipient and need to complete your Grant Reporting Summary, please click here.

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, credit unions with $50 million or less in assets 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.

2022 Grant Opportunities from the Hamilton Fund

  • Grant are available for conferences in the Carolinas as well as regional and national opportunities and strategic planning services. The 2022 grant cycle for the Hamilton Fund is now open with a deadline of December 21, 2022. Click here to apply.
  • Conference registration, travel and accommodation expenses up to the allocated grant amount may be covered. All receipts must be provided for reimbursement.
  • A maximum of $1,250 per credit union per calendar year may be awarded.

Other 2022 Grant Opportunities from the Hamilton Fund

The Carolinas CUDE Scholarship Fund (managed by the Carolinas Foundation):

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. This fund has provided scholarship opportunities for the Principles & Philosophy Conference for the past three years and starting in 2017, DE scholarships were added.

Instructions for Submission

Small credit unions $100 million or less in assets are eligible for scholarship funds for the Principles & Philosophy Conference as well as DE through the Carolinas CUDE Scholarship Fund. 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.