MCUF Grants Available to Help CUs Increase Impact; Apply by June 30

Michigan credit unions are involved in inspiring community reinvestment activities with help from Michigan Credit Union Foundation (MCUF) grants. Recent MCUF grants have helped Blue Ox Credit Union open a new student-run credit union in Harper Creek High School and helped several credit unions launch children’s savings account programs for post-secondary training and education in the Jackson and Muskegon school districts.

Foundation funds are available to help credit unions build stronger communities by addressing community problems, creating sustainable solutions and by helping to increase community reinvestment, financial education initiatives, partnerships and more. Contact MCUF by June 30 to apply for a community reinvestment grant providing support for your small or large initiatives.

Applying for and utilizing a MCUF grant is easy. Contact MCUF executive director Beth Troost to start the process with a conversation to explore your ideas for funding. Grants can be used to implement unique credit union initiatives or partnerships, or to replicate or expand on existing saving, lending and educational programs to help community members. Examples and suggestions for community reinvestment projects are listed on the MCUF website, and include skilled-trade training support, foreign language financial education, non-prime lending alternatives, and new financial education partnerships. Requests for funding to implement programs in low-income, underbanked or underserved areas are especially encouraged.

Funded by donations from credit unions, chapters and businesses, MCUF works cooperatively to help credit unions thrive and serve Michigan communities through financial education, community reinvestment and professional development support. The current MCUF grant cycle inquiries are due June 30. For more information or to get started, contact Beth Troost at (800) 262-6285, ext. 453, or learn more about donating or applying for funding here.