ICUF August 2025 Newsletter |

August 21, 2025 -

Giving Back

Official Newsletter of the Illinois Credit Union Foundation

August 2025			Volume 22, Issue 8

For a PDF version of this newsletter, click here.

ICUF Golf Outing Set for August 27 at Bliss Creek – LAST CHANCE

The ICU Foundation will hold its annual golf outing on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Bliss Creek Golf Course in Sugar Grove. We hope you will join us for a day of fun on the golf course. We are looking for golfers to participate in the scramble as well as sponsors for the event. Register Today!

CU Imagine Contest Returns – Win $5,000! – DEADLINE COMING SOON!

The ICU Foundation is again offering a $5,000 prize to the credit union who presents a unique idea for making a meaningful impact on credit unions, credit union members, credit union employees, and/or their communities incorporating findings from the 2024 Multicultural Opportunity Report or using United Way ALICE data. Contest finalists will present their ideas at ICUL Annual Convention on October 23. Think of CU Imagine as our version of Shark Tank. Applications accepted June 2 – September 5, 2025. Contest information, official rules, and entry form are available online.

Financial Education in Other Languages & CU Compliance

ICUL’s Director of Compliance, Shannon Basile, recently shared a blog about what credit unions need to consider when offering financial education information (presentations or materials) in other languages. You’ll need to login to the ICUL website to access the compliance blog post.

Foundation Questions?

Contact Melanie Murphy at 224-407-0440 or [email protected].

REMINDERS

ICUF Scholarships & Grants

The ICU Foundation offers Grants of up to $10,000 to cover a wide variety of projects to help credit unions grow and expand their services. ICU Foundation Scholarships can be used for a wide variety of education programs. All ICUL-affiliated CUs are eligible, and applications are accepted year-round. We encourage you to apply early in the year since funds are available and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Check out the scholarship & grant details online.

Reality Fair Programs

Teen Reality Fairs teach students how to manage money and the importance of a budget or spending plan. The Bite of Reality program and resources, offered by the ICU Foundation at no cost to credit unions, is available in a variety of formats (app-based, computer-accessible, and paper packets). Retirement Reality Fairs are similar to Teen Fairs except the participants can use their real-life situations instead of pretend scenarios when planning for the future. The Retire on Track program and resources are provided by the ICU Foundation at no cost to credit unions. Learn about Reality Fairs & Access FREE Resources

2025 Events & Important Dates

August 27	Golf Outing – Bliss Creek Golf Course (Sugar Grove) Get together with us for a fun-filled golf scramble!
October 24	Annual Raffle Drawing – Hilton Chicago & Towers Live drawing is held in the Exhibit Hall
November 19	ICUF Exploring Why Workshop (Springfield) Calling all Credit Union Enthusiasts – join us for a fantastic 1-Day Workshop to dig into principles and philosophy!
January 1 to December 31	Foundation’s Annual Support Campaign Our most important fundraiser which provides unrestricted support to the Foundation – donations accepted year-round

ICU Foundation Board of Directors

Chair – Michelle Balog, NuMark CU

Vice-Chair – Kerriann Mills, BCU

Secretary/Treasurer – Susan Toalson McGinty, U of I Community CU

Lou Bicanic, Midwest Members CU

Janel Cabadas, Earthmover CU

Dr. Joronda Crawford, Israel Methcomm FCU

Mark Dietrich, Revity CU

John Fiore, Consumers CU

Hope Garrett, Education Personnel FCU

Tom Pierce, Access CU

Amber Scott, 1^st MidAmerica CU

Ex Officio Directors:

Libby Calderone, ICUL President/CEO

Joe Kregul, ICUL Board Chair

Michael Abraham, ICUL Board Vice-Chair

Jose Garcia, ICUL Board Treasurer

Pete Fauth, ICUL Board Secretary