​All 2024 Professional Development Grants have a deadline of Dec. 8, 2023. The Foundation Board will finalize awards and recipients notified no later than Dec. 31, 2023. Grant applications submitted outside this timeframe may be considered by special request on a case-by-case basis. 

Eligible Professional Development Grant Categories include:

•  GAC Scholarship ($2,000 to support attendance at the GAC Conference)
•  Financial & Audit Professionals Grant ($1,000 for attendance at Financial or Audit specific training)
•  CUDE Scholarship ($3,800 to attend the National Credit Union Foundation Credit Union Development Educator training)
•  FiCEP Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (up to $500 to attend MnCU Foundation Enhanced FiCEP training program)
• MnCUN Major Event Grant (grant for registration at MonDak, Accelerate, CEO Conference, Lead)
• Small Credit Union Grant (up to $1,000 for professional development opportunities for credit unions under $100 mill in assets)
• Other Professional Development Grant (Other credit union specific education and training – must specify program on application)

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For more information on these grant opportunities visit mncun.org/apply-for-a-grant. 

• The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation (MnCUF) and Members Cooperative Credit Union celebrate the contributions of Learning & Development manager Kathlynn McConnell, a true servant leader, as she headed into retirement. 

​For 17 years, McConnell showed an unwavering dedication to our people, nurturing talent, cultivating skills, and fostering growth. Kathlynn has been a mentor, confidante, and friend to countless colleagues and a favorite guest presenter at local organizations seeking to build and support their own teams. 

​Kathlynn personifies the credit union philosophy and leaves behind a legacy of empowerment, growth, and inspiration that will surely guide and inspire many future credit union industry leaders. She was presented the award at the Minnesota Women's Leadership annual celebration event on Nov. 16.

​​Created in 2008, the Credit Union Builder Award honors an individual’s dedication to the success, growth, and vitality of the not-for-profit financial movement in Minnesota. Dedications are typically made at a time of significance to acknowledge an individual’s contributions to credit unions.

94 individuals have been designated as Credit Union Builders since the award's inception. The names of the recipients and the contributing credit unions are permanently displayed in the Minnesota Credit Union Network’s lobby as a tribute to those who have dedicated time and energy to building the credit union movement.

During the fundraiser, credit union members and local businesses are encouraged to purchase paper links and hearts that are connected and hung in lobbies to help illustrate the "people helping people" philosophy of credit unions. All proceeds benefit Gillette Children's Hospital.
 
To participate, credit unions simply fill out the registration form by Friday, December 16, 2023 and CU4Kids will provide Chain of Hearts materials at no cost. With questions, reach out to Director of Engagement, Xiong Lee
 
*Although these are the campaign dates, credit unions may participate during any time frame that best fits their calendar.  ​

To help credit unions in planning and budgeting, and to leverage a new, efficient application program, the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation is pleased to announce a new professional development grant application process and timeline.

​​​All 2024 Professional Development Grants are currently open for application with a deadline of Dec. 8, 2023. The Foundation Board will finalize awards and recipients notified no later than Dec. 31, 2023. Grant applications submitted outside this timeframe may be considered by special request on a case-by-case basis. 

​To participate in Give to the Max, donors should visit GiveMN.org and search for the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation. Give to the Max’s Early Giving period begins November 1 and continues through Give to the Max Day on Nov. 16, with random drawings throughout for more than $100,000 in prize grants for Minnesota organizations.

Created in 2008, the Credit Union Builder Award honors an individual’s dedication to the success, growth, and vitality of the not-for-profit financial movement in Minnesota. 

​​Dedications are typically made at a special time of significance to acknowledge their contributions to credit unions. 

​​In total, 93 individuals have been designated as Credit Union Builders. The name of the recipients are permanently displayed in lobby of the Minnesota Credit Union Network, as a tribute to those who have dedicated time and energy to building the credit union movement.

The honorees (or their families, in the case of a memoriam contribution) receive acknowledgement from the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation, and donors are also listed online and, in the Foundation’s annual report. A minimum $1,500 contribution is required to designate a Credit Union Builder Award. 

With questions, contact Andrea Molnau, Executive Director of the Minnesota Credit Unions Foundation.

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: Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM CST
Location: Minnco Center, 2215 3rd Ave NE; Cambridge, MN 55008
Logistics: The workshop will be delivered in person. For engagement and participation, there is a maximum of 60 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 Friday, November 3. 

The Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids 2nd annual CU4Kids Topgolf event raised nearly $16,000 for Gillette Children’s Specialty Hospital in October. The event was held at the Topgolf entertainment venue in Brooklyn Center, welcoming 119 attendees for an afternoon of driving golf balls and raising money for kids.

​​Thank you to all the supporting credit unions and organizations who made this event possible! The CU4Kids committee anticipates the event to return in 2023 with a save the date to come early next year!

To help credit unions in planning and budgeting, and to leverage a new, efficient application program, the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation is pleased to announce a new professional development grant application process and timeline.

​All 2024 Professional Development Grants are currently open for application with a deadline of Dec. 8, 2023. The Foundation Board will finalize awards and recipients notified no later than Dec. 31, 2023. Grant applications submitted outside this timeframe may be considered by special request on a case-by-case basis. 

Eligible Professional Development Grant Categories include:

• 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)
• CUDE Scholarship ($3,800 to attend the National Credit Union Foundation Credit Union Development Educator training)
• FiCEP Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (up to $500 to attend MnCU Foundation Enhanced FiCEP training program)
• MnCUN Major Event Grant (grant for registration at MonDak, Accelerate, CEO Conference, Lead)
• Small Credit Union Grant (up to $1,000 for professional development opportunities for credit unions under $100 mill in assets)
• Other Professional Development Grant (Other credit union specific education and training – must specify program on application)

​For more information on these grant opportunities visit mncun.org/apply-for-a-grant.