Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Annual Meeting Held

The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation) held its Annual Meeting on July 22, 2021. 

​Board Chair Kathy Harrington, of Heartland Credit Union, reported on the efforts of the Foundation in 2020. In spite of the challenges of the pandemic, the Foundation is pleased to report a successful year.

Focused on financial education and professional development initiatives, the Foundation provides the resources for credit unions and communities to prosper and thrive through financial education for members and communities, professional development for credit union employees, and disaster relief for the wider credit union community.

Photo: Outgoing MnCUF Chair Kathy Harrington and Foundation Board Member Tom Smith

Photo: Outgoing MnCUF Chair Kathy Harrington and Foundation Board Vice Chair Dana Garrett

The following highlights the Foundation’s efforts in 2020:

• Responded to COVID-19 by launching a $65,000 grant pool to assist credit unions under $100 million in assets with Pandemic Relief grants. 
• Hosted third year of CUNA Enhanced Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) in Minnesota in partnership with Mark Lynch and CU Difference.
• Honored four Credit Union Builders.
• Awarded over $21,000 in professional development and financial education grants.
• Held a strategic planning session which helped reinforce the Foundation’s mission and align the work of the Foundation with MnCUN’s 50x30 goal.

​While the Credit Unions for Kids and Foundation Scholarship Council’s events were affected by the pandemic, both Foundation Committees were able to fulfill their missions – to provide funding to Gillette Children’s Hospital and hold the annual scholarship program on behalf of Minnesota’s Credit Unions.  

The Board Election was held. Doug Ralston of Centricity Credit Union and Glen Durbahn of Hiway Credit Union were both re-elected for 3-year terms. Kim Westphal of HomeTown Credit Union was also elected to her first 3-year term to fill Kathy Harrington’s seat.  

Kathy Harrington, after serving nine years, has termed off the Foundation Board. She was recognized at the meeting for both her dedicated service and her time as Chair. 

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. Visit mncun.org/foundation for a copy of the 2020 Annual Report.