Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Awards Six Financial Education Grants
September 17, 2018
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Credit Union Foundation (MnCUF) recently awarded six financial education grants to assist Minnesota credit unions with implementing financial education projects.
“Minnesota’s credit unions continue to develop innovative ways to bring financial education to their communities,” said Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Executive Director Andrea Molnau. “Congratulations to the grant recipients, we are proud to support these outstanding initiatives.”
The following are the 2018 Financial Education Grant recipients and projects:
City & County Credit Union – City & County Credit Union’s Money on the Bookshelf is a family-orientated financial literacy program that encourages children ages 4 to 14 to learn about financial literacy by reading money themed books and having interactive dialogue with their parents. Currently in three locations, City & County will use the grant to launch Money on the Bookshelf in 3 additional branch locations.
Co-Op Credit Union Montevideo – Through the Financial Counseling program at Co-op Credit Union, one person from each of the credit unions’ four branches will become certified in Financial Counseling. These individuals will be able to assist members with becoming more financially sound, helping members when they are going through troubled times, and helping members who are in a delinquent status on their loans.
North Star Credit Union – North Star Credit Union will create curriculum books for their Bunch of Students Saving (B.O.S.S.) program. The B.O.S.S. program involves creating student focus groups that meet every week to talk about different financial topics and providing resources for students to establish a successful financial future.
Royal Credit Union – In partnership with YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, Royal Credit Union will offer FUSE (Future U.S. Entrepreneurs), a competitive learning experience for middle school students. Participating students draw from weekly business and entrepreneurship lessons and receive help and mentorship, resulting in a complete business proposal.
St. Cloud Federal Credit Union – In partnership with St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, students research and recommend lending through KIVA, a worldwide organization that helps people in poverty. The students must present their research findings and present a potential recipient to a panel from the credit union who determines which projects to fund. St. Cloud Federal Credit Union currently offers this program at Sartell High School, and will use the grant to extend the KIVA lending program to Apollo High School.
United Educators Credit Union - Through Mad City Money, United Educators Credit Union will offer a hands-on, real-world budgeting simulation for students. United Educators will work specifically with students at Compass Programs in Anoka and River Trail Learning Center in Coon Rapids to assist students in alternative learning centers.
The Foundation Board of Directors evaluates applications based on a variety of factors, including credit union value, community impact, collaboration, and creativity.
For more information, see the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation website. (mncun.org/MnCUFGrant)
Focused on financial education and professional development initiatives, the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation is dedicated to providing the resources for credit unions and communities to prosper and thrive. MnCUF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1969 that serves as a charitable arm of the Minnesota credit union movement. For more information, visit www.mncufoundation.org