Giving Back
Official Newsletter of the Illinois Credit Union Foundation
| September 2025 | Volume 22, Issue 9 | ||
For a PDF version of this newsletter, click here.
ICUF Hosts BankOn & Non-Custodial Accounts Webinar Oct 28 – Register Now
Join us for a free webinar to learn more about BankOn and Non-Custodial Accounts on October 28 at 1:00 p.m. Our guest speaker, Tracy Frizzell, Executive Director, Economic Awareness Council, oversees the BankOn Chicago program. She will provide information on how to create savings and/or checking accounts which can be BankOn certified. In addition, she will discuss opportunities to work with teens to open non-custodial accounts (typically foster youth) to provide a valuable service to an often-overlooked population. This session will be recorded and shared with everyone who signs up. Register Today!
Financial Education Outreach
The Credit Union Financial Education Network (CUFEN), formerly known as the National Youth Involvement Board (NYIB), collects information from credit unions regarding their financial education outreach for all ages to compile national and state-level statistics. They open the reporting system once per year in late June, early July to collect data for the most recent period.
Illinois Outreach – 2024/2025
| # Youth Reached | 31,538 |
| # Presentations for Youth | 677 |
| # Adults Reached | 20,063 |
| # Presentations for Adults | 540 |
| # CUs Reporting | 24 |
Thank you to the following credit unions for submitting reports:
| 1st Mid America CU Abri CU BCU CEFCU Consumers CU Corporate America Family CU Credit Union 1 Financial Plus CU |
Great Lakes CU IAA CU IH Mississippi Valley CU Illinois Educator CU Land of Lincoln CU Members Alliance CU Members First CU NuMark CU |
Oak Lawn Municipal ECU Peoria City ECU Revity CU SIU CU Streator Onized CU Taylorville Community CU University of Illinois Community CU United Equity CU |
NCUF Announces 2026 DE Program Dates – Registration Opens October 20
The National Credit Union Foundation announced dates for the 2026 DE Program. Since 1982, the Credit Union Development Education (CUDE™) program and its international alumni network have transformed the culture, strategy, outreach and impact of the credit union movement. Upon completion of the DE Program, individuals earn their CUDE designation and join over 3,000 credit union advocates from around the world. The 2026 DE Program registration will open during October.
In-Person:
Virtual:
ICUF Golf Classic Raises $40,000+
A huge thank you to the 90+ golfers and an array of sponsors who helped raise more than $40,000 for the ICU Foundation during our annual golf outing on August 27, 2025 at Bliss Creek Golf Course in Sugar Grove.
Ticket Sales Underway for ICUF Annual Raffle
The ICU Foundation will conduct its Annual Raffle again this year, and we need your help selling tickets! The drawing will take place at ICUL Annual Convention on Friday, October 24 at 10:00 am in the exhibit hall. Contact Melanie to request a supply of tickets to sell to your members and staff.
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
|
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
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, 1st 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
