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Grant Programs |
Individual Professional Development Grants
Professional Development Grants are available to credit union staff and volunteers for education and training in order to sustain the credit union movement. The grant applications open in the fall on an annual basis – with awards for programing the following year. Grants may be awarded by special request throughout the rest of the year on a first-come, first-served basis.
2025 Professional Development Grants will be open for application Sept. 11 - Nov. 15, 2024. The Foundation Board will finalize awards and recipients notified no later than Dec. 31, 2024.
Please reach out to [email protected] with questions.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible Professional Development Grant Categories
Further descriptions of several Grant Categories are also noted below:
2025 Professional Development Grants will be open for application Sept. 11 - Nov. 15, 2024. The Foundation Board will finalize awards and recipients notified no later than Dec. 31, 2024.
Please reach out to [email protected] with questions.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant must be a director of, serving on a committee of, or employed by the same Minnesota Credit Union Network affiliated credit union listed on the application at the time the grant is used.
- Applications must be completed in full and received by Nov. 15, 2024. After this date, applications may be considered if funds are available and on a case-by-case basis.
- Recipient’s credit union will be reimbursed after the course/program is successfully completed and grant reimbursement request form submitted.
- Recipient must use the grant during the year and purpose stated on the application.
Eligible Professional Development Grant Categories
- CUDE Scholarship ($3,000 to attend the National Credit Union Foundation Credit Union Development Educator training)
- GAC Scholarship ($2,000 to support attendance at the CUNA GAC Conference)
- Financial & Audit Professionals Grant ($1,000 for attendance at Financial or Audit specific training)
- FiCEP Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (up to $500 to attend MnCU Foundation Enhanced FiCEP training program)
- Small Credit Union Grant (up to $1,000 for professional development opportunities for credit unions under $100 mill in assets)
- Other Professional Development Grant (May be used for MnCUN Major event registration and travel, Trailblazers, the Webinar Network, or other credit union industry specific education and training – must specify program and dollar amount requested on the application.)
Further descriptions of several Grant Categories are also noted below:
CUDE Scholarship
A program of the National Credit Union Foundation, Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) Training brings renewed relevance to the philosophy of "People Helping People." This unique and transformative training provides critical lessons in cooperative principles, credit union philosophy, and development issues, while incorporating challenges credit unions face today. Preference will be given to applicants have shown engagement with the credit union movement.
The grant will cover the full registration fee for in person training. Travel to and from Madison is at the expense of the attendee. The Foundation is holding space for our grant recipient(s). Please indicate your preferred dates on the application.
The grant will cover the full registration fee for in person training. Travel to and from Madison is at the expense of the attendee. The Foundation is holding space for our grant recipient(s). Please indicate your preferred dates on the application.
GAC Scholarships
This scholarship was created to provide financial assistance to credit union staff and/or volunteers who are members of the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) and wish to participate in CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference.
Scholarship monies allocated to applicants may be used for the cost of the conference registration, typically between $500 to $1,000, and to help cover some travel expenses. The Foundation will be offering multiple $2,000 scholarships.
Preference will be given to applicants who have not attended GAC, are from credit unions under $100 million in assets, and have shown engagement with MnCUN and credit union advocacy.
Scholarship monies allocated to applicants may be used for the cost of the conference registration, typically between $500 to $1,000, and to help cover some travel expenses. The Foundation will be offering multiple $2,000 scholarships.
Preference will be given to applicants who have not attended GAC, are from credit unions under $100 million in assets, and have shown engagement with MnCUN and credit union advocacy.
Small Credit Union Grants
Credit unions that meet specific criteria can apply for expedited reimbursement of professional development opportunities through the Small Credit Union Grant Program. Expedited approval will be granted based on the following criteria:
- The request is for $1,000 or less;
- The credit union has less than $100 million in assets as of Dec. 31 of the previous calendar year;
- The professional development opportunity is on a topic(s) that pertains to the attendee’s position as a credit union professional or volunteer
Professional Development Grants
Funds opportunities for credit union professionals and volunteers to continue their education and training in order to sustain the credit union movement. Opportunities must apply to a current or future career with credit unions. This grant category may be used for MnCUN Major events, Trailblazers, the Webinar Network, or other credit union industry specific education and training.
Financial & Audit Professionals Grants
The Financial & Audit Professionals Grant Fund was established in 2014 through a generous contribution from Rich Gabrielson, a CPA who worked with Minnesota credit union supervisory committees, boards of directors and management throughout his 36-year career. Gabrielson retired from CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP at the end of 2013.
This contribution provides annual grant funding for Minnesota credit union staff and volunteers who have financial and audit-related responsibilities to attend various educational events, conference and seminars. Eligible credit unions must be headquartered in the state of Minnesota, and individuals are only eligible to receive Financial & Audit Professionals Grant Fund dollars (maximum of $1,000) every four years. Grants will be available on an annual basis until the fund is exhausted.
Funding from the Financial & Audit Professionals Grant program is intended to cover or defray the costs for credit union professionals and/or volunteers to attend timely and accurate educational events, conferences and seminars on financial and audit-related topics. Reputable course providers include, but are not limited to, the following:
Rich Gabrielson worked with credit union supervisory committees, boards of directors and management for 36 years, up until his retirement from CliftonLarsonAllen LLP on Dec. 31, 2013. Rich’s career began in 1977 with Bowlby, Anfinson, Crandall & Haedt (BACH Ltd), and continued through subsequent business combinations and firm name changes under the firm names of Larson, Allen, Weishair & Co. (LAWCO), LarsonAllen, LLP, and CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP (CLA). He worked with most Minnesota credit unions at some point during his career, and with many other credit unions around the nation. Rich’s client focus from the late 1980s until his retirement was almost solely in the credit union market. In addition to client service, a key focus of Rich’s involvement with the credit union marketplace was providing education to credit union supervisory committees, boards of directors and management (primarily CFOs, accounting managers, and internal auditors) in the surrounding states, as well as the national marketplace.
From Rich: “As I worked with credit unions in a very rewarding professional career for so many years, I would like to return an ongoing token of my appreciation of the working relationship we had. Based on my areas of interaction with credit unions over the years and my passion for providing timely and accurate educational guidance, I would like to provide monetary resources for credit union individuals to attend top-tier outside education related to financial and audit topics.”
This contribution provides annual grant funding for Minnesota credit union staff and volunteers who have financial and audit-related responsibilities to attend various educational events, conference and seminars. Eligible credit unions must be headquartered in the state of Minnesota, and individuals are only eligible to receive Financial & Audit Professionals Grant Fund dollars (maximum of $1,000) every four years. Grants will be available on an annual basis until the fund is exhausted.
Funding from the Financial & Audit Professionals Grant program is intended to cover or defray the costs for credit union professionals and/or volunteers to attend timely and accurate educational events, conferences and seminars on financial and audit-related topics. Reputable course providers include, but are not limited to, the following:
- the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Credit Union Conference,
- the Association of Credit Union Internal Auditors (ACUIA),
- National Association of Credit Union Supervisory & Audit Committees (NACUSAC),
- America's Credit Unions,
- the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN)
- the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES)
Rich Gabrielson worked with credit union supervisory committees, boards of directors and management for 36 years, up until his retirement from CliftonLarsonAllen LLP on Dec. 31, 2013. Rich’s career began in 1977 with Bowlby, Anfinson, Crandall & Haedt (BACH Ltd), and continued through subsequent business combinations and firm name changes under the firm names of Larson, Allen, Weishair & Co. (LAWCO), LarsonAllen, LLP, and CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP (CLA). He worked with most Minnesota credit unions at some point during his career, and with many other credit unions around the nation. Rich’s client focus from the late 1980s until his retirement was almost solely in the credit union market. In addition to client service, a key focus of Rich’s involvement with the credit union marketplace was providing education to credit union supervisory committees, boards of directors and management (primarily CFOs, accounting managers, and internal auditors) in the surrounding states, as well as the national marketplace.
From Rich: “As I worked with credit unions in a very rewarding professional career for so many years, I would like to return an ongoing token of my appreciation of the working relationship we had. Based on my areas of interaction with credit unions over the years and my passion for providing timely and accurate educational guidance, I would like to provide monetary resources for credit union individuals to attend top-tier outside education related to financial and audit topics.”
Credit Union Grants
Small Credit Union Technology Assistance Grant
The intention of this grant program is to provide funding to help small credit unions best serve their members and to help the credit union thrive and grow. The focus of these grants are technology needs, not for capital equipment or operations. Credit unions may apply for one Small Credit Union Technology Assistance grant per year. There is no application deadline; requests are accepted throughout the year.
Grant Purpose examples
Eligibility
Awards
Reporting
Grant Purpose examples
- Technology Needs: hardware and software, apps, upgrade, replace and repair critical equipment/platforms
- Member Access Services: mobile banking, texting, etc.
- Online Services: new/upgraded website, new or enhanced features to reduce fraud
Eligibility
- Minnesota Credit Union Network members with assets of less than $100 million
- Stated goal of the funded project must address a primary challenge of the credit union
- Foundation does not fund capital projects, operating expenses, staff time, dues, and regulatory fees
Awards
- Small Credit Union Assistance grants will be a maximum of $10,000 or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is less.
Reporting
- Grantees must submit a Final Progress Report at the end of the project which is supplied by the Foundation. Success measurements will be based on stated project goals and outcomes to the credit union and/or its members.
- Grantees must submit a copy of paid invoice(s) relating to this project with the Final Progress Report. Grant amount will be reimbursed to the credit union following receipt of the report.
Financial Inclusion Grant
MnCUF’s Financial Inclusion Grant is intended to support credit unions’ implementation of projects that support Financial Inclusion efforts at their credit union.
The application period is open so that credit unions may apply for funding at any time throughout the year. The Foundation Board will act on applications at their regularly scheduled Board meetings.
Eligible initiatives may include (but not limited to) projects in the following areas:
Grant guidelines and restrictions:
The application period is open so that credit unions may apply for funding at any time throughout the year. The Foundation Board will act on applications at their regularly scheduled Board meetings.
Eligible initiatives may include (but not limited to) projects in the following areas:
- Partnering with Coopera or other organization for demographic analysis of membership
- CDFI certification support from Inclusiv or other organization
- Internal credit union staff training
- Efforts to reach and/or serve underserved populations in community
Grant guidelines and restrictions:
- Funding must be deployed for the stated grant purpose within one year of receipt, unless recipient receives a written extension from the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation. Any funds unused in the completion of your project must be returned to the Foundation.
- Minnesota credit unions may partner with non-credit union organizations for grant funding, so long as the project demonstrates a positive impact on a credit union’s community. Grant application must be made by the credit union.
- Grant recipients must mention the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation as having provided grant funding in all press releases, news stories, articles, interviews and website references.
- Grants may not be used for salaries, pass-through funding, incentive payments, meals/refreshments, or promotional products (i.e.: imprinted trinkets, giveaways, etc.)
Financial Education Grants
MnCUF Financial Education Grants support credit unions’ implementation of financial education projects. Applications are evaluated by the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Board of Directors and evaluated on factors such as credit union value, community impact, collaboration and creativity. The application period is open so that credit unions may now apply for funding at any time throughout the year.
Financial education initiatives may include projects in the following areas:
Grant guidelines and restrictions:
With questions, please contact the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation.
Financial education initiatives may include projects in the following areas:
- Community financial capability outreach programs
- Financial education curriculum
- Financial experiential learning programs – such as reality fairs, in-school branches, etc.
Grant guidelines and restrictions:
- Funding must be deployed for the stated grant purpose within one year of receipt, unless recipient receives a written extension from the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation. Any funds unused in the completion of your project must be returned to the Foundation.
- Minnesota credit unions may partner with non-credit union organizations for grant funding, so long as the project demonstrates a positive impact on a credit union’s community.
- Grant recipients must mention the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation as having provided grant funding in all press releases, news stories, articles, interviews and website references.
- Grants may not be used for salaries, pass-through funding, incentive payments, meals/refreshments, or promotional products (i.e.: imprinted trinkets, giveaways, etc.)
- Repeated requests from previous grant recipients will be permitted, however, new project grant applicants will receive priority.
With questions, please contact the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation.
