2021 CUNA Award Recipients

Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award
$50 - 250 million in assets: North Star Credit Union, "People Helping People: Giving Back"
$250 million - $1 billion in assets: Minnco Credit Union, "Minnco Moments"
More than $1 billion in assets: Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, "Coins for a Cause"

Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award
$50 - 250 million in assets: Centricity Credit Union, "Distance Learning and Back 2 School Drive"
$250 million - $1 billion assets: SouthPoint Financial Credit Union, "Community Advisory Committee inception"
More than $1 billion in assets: Hiway Credit Union, "Hiway Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEI)"

Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award
$50 - 250 million in assets: Northwoods Credit Union, "Senior Day in Cloquet"
 $250 million - $1 billion in assets: TopLine Federal Credit Union, "Virtual Workshops"
More than $1 billion in assets: SPIRE Credit Union, "SPIRE-Twin Cities Live "Money Makeover"

Desjardins Youth Financial Education Awards
$50 - 250 million in assets: United Educators Credit Union, "Bringing Virtual Financial Literacy to Members"
$250 million - $1 billion in assets: TopLine Federal Credit Union, "Bringing Virtual Financial Literacy to Members"
More than $1 billion in assets: SPIRE Credit Union, "Saving Cash" SPIRE Children's Book

CUNA's National Award programs are designed to encourage and recognize distinguished credit unions which demonstrate social responsibility (the Dora Maxwell Award), the credit union philosophy (the Louise Herring Award), and financial education (the Desjardins Awards). 
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Statewide award winners will be announced in August. Winning state entries advance to compete nationally, with national results typically available in late November to early December.
  • Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award– recognizes credit unions that promote social responsibility. In particular, the focus of the award is to draw attention to external credit union projects and activities that benefit the community.
  • Louise Herring Award for Philosophy-in-Action – focuses on the internal programs and services of a credit union. Credit unions who received the award have demonstrated the practical application of the credit union philosophy within the actual operations of the credit union.
  • Desjardins Youth and Adult Financial Education Awards – recognizes the leadership of individual credit unions and chapters on behalf of youth and adult financial education. Activities eligible for consideration include those that raise awareness and marshal resources on behalf of financial literacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

As you work on your submission you will see varying formats in which questions need to be answered.  Some require only numbers, while others require much more time and thought.  You are able to save and come back at any time (until you submit).  
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Things to Remember
  • Many boxes do not have word or character limits for the text boxes. 
  • You are able to format as you wish (bolding, italics, underlining, bullets...).
  • You are able to skip questions that are required, but you will need to go back and answer them before you submit your project.
  • Please include any documentation and promotional material you wish.  (Videos, audio, Facebook, Twitter, news articles...)

Can a credit union compete in all of the competitions?
Yes - a credit union may submit one entry for each of the awards (Dora Maxwell, Louise Herring, Desjardins Adult, & Desjardins Youth)

Can a credit union enter the same entry in multiple programs?
No - each program has different objectives and requirements.  Entries should be tailored to match the defined goals of the particular competition.

What time period do the award entries cover?
Projects must have taken place between primarily during 2021.

How do each of the awards differ?
  • The Dora Maxwell Award is given to a credit union or chapter for its social responsibility projects within the community.  (The award is given for external activities)
  • The Louise Herring Award is given to a credit union for its practical application of the credit union philosophy within the actual operation of the credit union.  (The award is given for internal programs and services that benefit membership.)
  • The Desjardins Youth Award includes all activities to teach personal finance to youth (under 18).
  • The Desjardins Adult Award includes all activities to teach personal finance to adults (over 18).

2020 Winners

Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award
$250 million - $1 billion in assets: SouthPoint Financial Credit Union
More than $1 billion in asset: Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union

Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action
$50 - 250 million in assets: First Alliance Credit Union
$250 million - $1 billion in assets: SouthPoint Financial Credit Union
More than $1 billion in assets: Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union

Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award
$50 - 250 million in assets: HomeTown Credit Union
$250 million - $1 billion in assets: TopLine Federal Credit Union
More than $1 billion in assets: SPIRE Credit Union

Desjardins Youth Financial Education Awards
$50 -$250 million in assets: North Star Credit Union
$250 million - $1 billion in assets: TopLine Federal Credit Union
More than $1 billion in assets: SPIRE Credit Union​