Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Annual Meeting Held; Three Board Members Elected

​The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation held its Annual Meeting on July 11, 2024.

Board Chair Doug Ralston, of Centricity Credit Union, reported on the efforts of the Foundation in 2023. Focused on financial education and professional development initiatives, the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation provides the resources for credit unions and communities to prosper and thrive. The Foundation’s efforts focus on Financial Education for members and communities, Professional Development for credit union employees, and Disaster Relief for the wider credit union community.

​The following highlights the Foundation’s efforts in 2023:

• Honored seven Credit Union Builders.
• Awarded over to $22,000 in professional development, small credit union, and program grants; and implemented a new Grant Application software program.
• 28 students participating in the Enhanced Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) in Minnesota in partnership with Mark Lynch and CU Difference, and the Wisconsin and Montana Credit Union Foundations. 
• Hosted Credit Union Foundation Professionals education event on Common Legal and Tax questions.
• Partnered with the National Credit Union Foundation to sponsor the Exploring Why workshop - a training program that helps credit union employees connect to the credit union difference.
• The Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids Committee raised $150,532 benefiting Gillette Children’s and the Foundation Scholarship Council awarded $16,000 in scholarships to sixteen Minnesota credit union members. 

 
In addition, the Foundation implemented a new Grant Management software program and updated the professional development grant application process to create efficiencies and further awareness of grant programs.
 
The Board Election was held. Doug Ralston, Centricity CU, Caitlin Brama, Farm Credit Employees CU, and Sue Palen, Mayo Employees FCU were each elected to serve three-year terms.
 
As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, the Foundation is dependent on the support of Minnesota credit unions, employees, partners, and community organizations. For more information on the work of the Foundation, please see the 2023 Annual Report.