The Wisconsin Credit Union Foundation recently awarded a record number of Credit Union Development and The Difference Grants--totaling nearly $130,000--to seventeen Wisconsin credit unions, allowing them to better serve their members and communities.
Credit Union Development Grants
This grant assists Wisconsin's credit unions with technology- and operations-related expenses and upgrades that improve member service. This year's recipients are:
- Badger-Globe Credit Union,$10,100, for computer/ancillary device purchases related to aging hardware & core conversion
- Brantwood Credit Union, $2,430, for replacement of current core system server and workstation
- Brokaw Credit Union, $3,232, for instant issue for debit card program
- Evergreen Credit Union, $5,091, for physical and digital marketing
- FOCUS Credit Union, $10,100, for ADA ramp conversion
- Iron County Community Credit Union, $3,232, for real estate/market analysis for CU rebranding and relocation
- Lakewood Credit Union, $8,890, for technology
- Oshkosh Postal Credit Union, $1,820, for reissuing all debit cards
- Public Service Credit Union, $8,385, for implementation of share draft accounts and debit cards
- Service Credit Union, $9,700, for implementing digital wallets for debit cards
- Sheboygan Area Credit Union, $2,020, for modernization of debit cards to contactless cards, including instant issue
- WEA Credit Union, $15,000, for instant issue and contactless project
The Difference Grants
The Difference impacts public and policymaker perceptions of Wisconsin's credit unions by showcasing how credit unions maximize their people-before-profit cooperative potential to meet the needs of members and their communities. This grant is to support Wisconsin credit unions offering innovative services and programs that provide affordable alternatives to high-cost financial products and services, increase financial literacy, and more. This year's recipients are:
- Co-op Credit Union, $6,000, for Building Financial Strength
- FOCUS Credit Union, $10,000, to bring education to our members on the margin
- Fort Community Credit Union, $10,000, for mobile financial empowerment program
- Fox Communities Credit Union, $10,000, for Fox First Class program
- Park City Credit Union, $10,000, for youth account activation and financial literacy
- UW Credit Union, $3,260, for financial literacy series for low-income BIPOC Madison area residents
The grant application cycle for both Credit Union Development and The Difference grants runs from May 15-June 30 annually. These grants would not be possible without the generous support of Foundation donors and partners--thank you!