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:

• Community financial capability outreach programs
• Financial education curriculum
• Financial experiential learning programs – such as reality fairs, in-school branches, etc.

For more information, visit the MnCUF Apply for a Grant webpage.

​Minnesota’s Personal Finance Working Group (PFWG) has been meeting regularly since June and is working towards developing guidance to support the implementation of the personal finance graduation requirement statewide.

The PFWG recently solicited public feedback to their draft guidance recommendations. The finalized plan will be available later this fall.

Join the 3rd Annual CU4Kids Topgolf Tournament on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at Topgolf in Brooklyn Center. Proceeds supports Children’s Miracle Network/Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul. 

​Registration is limited. Deadline is Friday, September 20, 2024.

View the CU4KIDS Topgolf Flyer for more details and sponsorship opportunities. Contact Kim Peterson or Caitlin Brama via email with questions.

​Individual Professional Development Grants from the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation are available to staff and directors 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 programming 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 notify recipients by Dec. 31, 2024. 

2025 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.)

For more information on these grant opportunities visit mncun.org/apply-for-a-grant. Please note the Small Credit Union Technology Grant, Financial Education Grant, and Financial Inclusion Grant opportunities will continue to be available year-round. 

​The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation is pleased to offer Exploring Why TM - The National Credit Union Foundation’s experiential training that empowers employees of all levels to understand and leverage the Credit Union Difference to drive greater value for your members and organization. The interactive workshop incorporates lessons from the Foundation’s signature Development Education (DE) Program. This is an in-person workshop.

​This program is generously sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation and will be offered at no charge for MnCUN member credit union employees. 

Attendees will leave with a better understanding of:

• The structural and philosophical differences between credit unions and other financial institutions, and how it impacts business operations and decision-making.
• How to communicate your organization’s “why”, their personal “why”, and tell the story of how you drive value for your members.
• Opportunities to take ownership in finding new and better ways to meet the needs of your members and organization.

Date: November 6, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Holiday Inn & Suites
200 West First Street
Duluth, MN 55802
Cost: FREE!

​Logistics: The workshop will be delivered in person. For engagement and participation, there is a maximum of 50 participants. Registration will be taken on a first come, first serve basis; and limited to 5 attendees from the same credit union. (If more than 5 employees are interested, please email Andrea Molnau to be placed on a wait list.) Note: participants from the same organization will likely not be grouped together for discussions or activities. 
​
The deadline to register is Oct. 25.

​The Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids Committee has announced the 3rd Annual CU4Kids Topgolf Tournament. Join and support the CU4Kids on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at Topgolf in Brooklyn Center. Proceeds supports Children’s Miracle Network/Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul. See the CU4KIDS Topgolf Flyer for sponsorship details.

​Registration is limited. Deadline is Friday, September 20, 2024. Contact Kim Peterson or Caitlin Brama via email with questions.

Those who have obtained the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) designation are required to recertify every three years to ensure that knowledge about financial counseling is current. 

CCUFC professionals in Minnesota have the option to receive re-certification with the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation. This opportunity includes a virtual refresher training provided by CU Difference on September 12 from 2:30-4:40 pm, and a copy of the CUNA Financial Counseling Certification Program Update ebook. 

​The deadline to register is August 16, 2024. With questions contact Andrea Molnau, Executive Director MnCU Foundation.

The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation held its Foundation Board Re-Organization and Strategic Planning Meeting last week on August 1. Doug Ralston was re-elected Chair and Kayla Reiffenberger, was re-elected as Vice Chair and Trina Hoff was elected as Secretary/Treasurer. 

The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation (MnCUF) provides grants, community partnerships, professional development and disaster relief to help the state's credit unions and communities prosper and thrive. Founded in 1969 by the Minnesota Credit Union Network, MnCUF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization governed by a seven-member board of directors from various Minnesota credit unions.

The National Credit Union Foundation has $173,000 in available funding for credit unions of any asset size that have a desire to build programs designed to support children in foster care by establishing basic knowledge in budgeting, credit, and banking solutions.

Eligible credit unions will have the ability to open savings and checking accounts for this demographic while also providing timely financial education and well-being information for youth in preparation for aging out of the foster care system.

​Credit unions can apply by using this link:  www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ncuf

The deadline for applications is the close of business on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Additional information can be found on the Foundations website:   https://www.ncuf.coop/