Giving Back
Official Newsletter of the Illinois Credit Union Foundation
| June 2025 | Volume 22, Issue 6 | ||
For a PDF version of this newsletter, click here.
Report Financial Education Outreach by July 7
The Credit Union Financial Education Network (CUFEN), formerly known as the National Youth Involvement Board (NYIB), is collecting information from credit unions regarding their financial education outreach for all ages for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Please take a minute to review the reporting step-by-step instructions then submit the report for your credit union online using the easy-to-complete report form by July 7, 2025.
ICUF Golf Outing Set for August 27 at Bliss Creek – Registration Open
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!
The ICU Foundation is 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.
ICUF Partners with Cornerstone CU Foundation for CU Principles & Philosophy Workshop in St. Louis July 29-31 – Sign Up Today
The ICU Foundation is partnering with the Cornerstone CU Foundation on their annual Principles & Philosophy Conference which is set for July 29-31 in St. Louis, MO. This workshop is a deeper dive than the current 1-Day Exploring Why program the ICU Foundation has scheduled for November. ICUL-affiliated CUs who will be able to register at the discounted member rate $749 (vs $1,149 for non-members) by using the code ICUL25.
ICUF & Envisant Co-Sponsor 2025 1-to-1Woman Mentoring Program – Apply Today!
The ICU Foundation and Envisant are co-sponsoring a cohort for the 1to1Woman Mentoring Program which will take place August – September 2025. Check out the details online. Please complete the 1to1Woman Mentoring Program Interest Form by June 27, 2025 to let us know you would like to be a part of this cohort.
Congratulations New CUDEs Jamie Propst, Matthew Rizzie & Nicole Shaw
Congratulations to the following peoplw who earned their Credit Union Development Educator (CUDETM) desingation from the National Credit Union Foundation during June 2024: Jamie Propst, Director of Member Support, University of Illinois Community CU, Matthew Rizzie, Executive Director, GLCU Foundation (Great Lakes CU), and to Nicole Shaw, Marketing Coordinator, Cooperative Choice Network CU. More than 2,000 credit union advocates from 35 countries received their CUDETM designation. Futher details about the program are available here.
ICUF Multicultural Opportunity Report Insight
The 2024 Multicultural Opportunity Report examines demographic trends in the state which credit unions can use for strategic planning. In addition, recordings of the 2-part webinar series to share the findings (Part 1) and review opportunities to put into action (Part 2) are also available in the secured area in our website. Click here to sign in to the secured area in our website, then use this link to access the report and support materials.
Understand Healthcare Issues
Learning: “While Illinois grapples with significant public health issues like chronic diseases, behavioral health problems, and maternal/child health disparities, state-sponsored efforts and other community partnerships are underway to address these challenges and promote health equity statewide. Credit unions can play a vital role in assisting Illinoisians facing financial strain due to various types of household expenditures and debt related to healthcare costs.”
Actions: 1) Become a “Health Influencer”, 2) Assist Members in Clearing Medical Debt Wisely
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
CU Philanthropy Toolkit
The National Credit Union Foundation's updated version of its Philanthropy Toolkit for credit unions, available for free here, is designed to help credit unions maximize their community impact and align philanthropic activities to strategic objectives. Learn about strategic philanthropy, public vs. private foundations, funding charitable initiatives, and more.
Credit Union Foundations Network
A networking group for credit union leaders that are managing, leading, or looking to launch a grant-making foundation in association with their credit union. CUs from throughout the country gather for monthly virtual meetings to discuss their work. Register for their meetings here; join their LinkedIn group here.
Financial Well-Being Practitioners
The National Credit Union Foundation hosts a networking group in its FinHealth Hub where credit union staff can share ideas, ask questions, and interact at virtual meetings or online. Topics include financial coaching/counseling, financial education presentations, incorporating financial health throughout CU, and more!
2025 Events & Important Dates
|
August 27 |
Golf Outing – Bliss Creek Golf Course (Sugar Grove) |
|
October 24 |
Annual Raffle Drawing – Hilton Chicago & Towers |
|
November 19 |
ICUF Exploring Why Workshop (Springfield) |
|
January 1 to December 31 |
Foundation’s Annual Support Campaign |
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
John Fiore, Consumers CU
Tom Pierce, Access CU
Amber Scott, 1st MidAmerica CU
Janel Cabadas, Earthmover CU
Dr. Joronda Crawford, Israel Methcomm FCU
Mark Dietrich, Revity CU
Hope Garrett, Education Personnel FCU
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
