Credit Union Advocacy Fund

​The Credit Union Advocacy Fund provides resources to strongly position credit unions on the legislative and political fronts. The Advocacy Fund is proactive in nature, helping to create a strong credit union environment and augment MnCUN’s advocacy effort. Funds are employed for certain purposes, which can include grassroots mobilization and organization building; enhancing direct lobbying; influencing decision-makers through public affairs and public relations; helping to maintain Credit Union House on Capitol Hill; and supporting the National Advocacy Fund. As a restricted fund, expenditures are governed by a committee of credit unions and MnCUN staff. Solicitation for the Advocacy Fund occurs each year in conjunction with the issuance of the Network’s annual membership dues invoice, as well as on an as-needed basis.
Expenditures from the Advocacy Fund are used to enhance MnCUN’s dues supported advocacy activities and increase credit unions’ impact through:
  • Minnesota support for Credit Union House in Washington D.C. Credit Union House is owned by state leagues and AACUL to provide an event center and meeting space on Capitol Hill.
  • The National Advocacy Fund, which is coordinated by CUNA, and finances grassroots advocacy, electoral polling, research, and partisan communications. National Advocacy Fund dollars have been deployed in Minnesota for election engagement, taxation polling and radio ads.
  • Sponsorship of the Wrong About Everything podcast. Wrong About Everything is a fun, irreverent and bipartisan look at Minnesota and national politics. Two Liberals and Two Conservatives debate the issues of the day with humor and vigor. The podcast is listened to by legislators and public opinion leaders in Minnesota.​
  • Grassroots materials and collateral to demonstrate the CU Difference to lawmakers, including the Working for Minnesota website and the GREAT program.
  • NASCUS Membership to enhance efforts to strengthen the state charter.
  • Participation in the National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit.
  • Reputation and election sponsorships targeting decision makers
  • Administrative lobbying contract to help combat attacks on the credit union tax status and ability of credit unions to purchase banks.
  • Minnesota’s GAC events including the Minn. Hospitality Suite & the Minn. Issue briefing luncheon