Columbia, MD (May 1, 2024) – The Credit Union Foundation MD|DC has announced the launch of a new logo and website at www.cufound.org. The new logo introduces a modern and inviting look and feel, while the new website features improved user experience and better access to information about Foundation programs.

“The Foundation has always been dedicated to helping credit unions serve their members and working together to improve consumers’ financial lives,” said John Bratsakis, Executive Director of the CU Foundation MD|DC. “We feel these exciting new updates position us to serve and share what we do to the next generation of credit union leadership.”

Key features of the new site include:

• Streamlined User Experience – The new site has a modern look and feel with simplified navigation making it easier for users to find what they need.
• Improved online Grant Applications: Online grant applications are easier to use on the new site with the ability to upload supporting documentation.
• Streamlined Consumer Information: Consumers have easier access to information on college scholarship information and financial literacy education through the Millionaire’s Club.

The CU Foundation of MD|DC is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving lives by helping credit unions better serve their members and communities with an emphasis on financial literacy, emerging credit union support, workforce development, professional development and education, and leadership development. Visit www.cufound.org for more information.

About the Millionaire’s Club

The Millionaire’s Club was developed by the CU Foundation MD|DC to make learning personal finance skills fun and engaging. The program is available to schools and credit unions nationwide at no charge through the Foundation’s MillionairesClub.org site.  Over 2,100 students benefit annually from participation in Millionaire’s Clubs at over 50 schools.

The Credit Union Foundation MD|DC and the MD|DC Credit Union Association are pleased to announce the 9th Annual Wine Me Up! event, a popular wine pull raffle that benefits Foundation grants and programs supporting local credit unions.

The in-person wine pull returns this year at the Association’s CONNECT 2024 event in Ocean City on June 9 – 11. Find complete details at CUFound.org/wine

Today we’re asking you to take the first, most important step – we’re inviting you to visit CUFound.org/wine by May 15^th to donate and help us purchase wine using our 30% discount granted by Total Wine and More™ (and we buy tax-free!). You can also donate bottles of wine – provided they are valued at $25 or more. Our 2024 goal? 250 bottles.

The Foundation has provided over $2.7 million in grants and programs to help local credit unions, their staff, volunteers and members. Help keep those programs going!

Thank you for donating to this fun, favorite annual event! 

The CU Foundation MD|DC has launched a new online self-study option for the successful Millionaire’s Club personal finance program. The self-study program is made up of six courses that teach students how to build the financial skills they can rely on for their lifetimes.

Through 29 lessons and more than 80 activities and quizzes, students learn good money habits, how to set goals, create a spending plan and the responsible use of credit.  They also learn about countering identity theft, evaluating job and career decisions, understanding employee income and taxes, investing and insurance.

“The self-study program is an exciting enhancement to our existing in-person Millionaire’s Clubs,” said Leigh Philibosian, director of the Credit Union Foundation MD|DC. “This program is a great tool for individual students who don’t have access to an in-school program yet, home-schooled students and their parents, clubs and community organizations. Additionally, teachers can use it to supplement their financial literacy courses or existing in-person Millionaire’s Clubs.”

The Millionaire’s Club was developed by the CU Foundation MD|DC to make learning personal finance skills fun and engaging. The program is available to schools and credit unions nationwide at no charge through the Foundation’s MillionairesClub.org site.  Over 2,100 students benefit annually from in-person participation in Millionaire’s Clubs at over 50 schools.

Learn more at MillionairesClub.org.

The CU Foundation MD|DC has announced a new financial empowerment grant for credit unions. Funded by a $50,000 grant from Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union, the Foundation will offer grants up to $5,000 per credit union for programs that help their members attain financial stability, with a focus on removing barriers to economic and social advancement.

Grant-winning projects must have the potential to create a positive impact on the community served by the proposed initiative. Examples of credit union initiatives that will be eligible for grants include projects that:

• Reduce dependence on predatory financial providers
• Build and improve personal financial management/saving habits and wealth-building
• Provide financial coaching to help individuals improve their creditworthiness and grow toward financial stability
• Address healthcare access, housing stability, food security or nutrition education
• Provide meal, health or hygiene product distribution programs for students

“We’re thrilled to be able to contribute to the furtherment of financial literacy through the CU Foundation MD|DC and our Financial Empowerment Grant program,” said Erin Doan, diversity, equity and inclusion director of Vizo Financial. “By offering these grants to their credit unions, the Foundation is giving them the resources to be a valuable financial partner for their members and their communities, solidifying their commitment to the credit union principle of concern for community and demonstrating their dedication to financial wellness for all, all of which strengthen our movement and the communities in the MD|DC region.”

“The grants will help credit unions provide members with access to programs that support economic growth and financial stability,” said John Bratsakis, executive director of The Credit Union Foundation MD|DC. We encourage credit unions to take advantage of this opportunity to empower their members to improve their financial well-being and thrive financially. We appreciate Vizo Financial’s support and commitment to the financial health of our communities in Maryland and DC.

Any credit union that is located in Maryland or the District of Columbia and/or is affiliated with the MD|DC Credit Union Association is eligible to apply for a Vizo Financial Empowerment Grant. 

The CU Foundation MD|DC announced the selection of 13 scholarship award winners through its Credit Union College Scholarship Program. In addition to the 12 annual essay scholarships, this year, a special Ron Shockley Essay Scholarship has been added.  The additional scholarship award is sponsored by First Financial FCU in honor of Mr. Shockley’s retirement from First Financial FCU and in recognition of his dedication and service to the credit union and to The CU Foundation MD|DC.

The 66 volunteer judges working with the MD|DC Credit Union Scholarship Program have selected this year’s winners from among the 146 essay-based entries, 117 photo-based entries, and 19 video-based entries.

Each of this year’s winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship award presented by their credit union.

View 2023 Winning Essays based on the theme:

“More than two-thirds of people in America are not financially healthy. How would you define financial health? Describe how your credit union has helped you understand how to manage your money.”

 

2023 Winning Video Depicting – “To be financially literate, or financially healthy, is to know how to manage your money. Show one lesson you’ve learned from your credit union about managing your money.”

 

2023 Photo Winner Depicting the Photo Topic and Credit Union Core Value, “Cooperation”

Brett Noll, President and CEO of FedChoice Federal Credit Union, has been elected to the Credit Union Foundation MD|DC Board of Directors.  Mr. Noll replaces Beverly Zook, Money One FCU, who reached her term limits.

Brett Noll has served as President/CEO of FedChoice FCU. Prior to joining FedChoice, Noll was President/CEO of SecurityPlus FCU in Baltimore, MD, for nine years. Brett has over 25 years of experience in the Credit Union Movement, working at credit unions both small and large. He was named Professional Marketer of the Year by both the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).

Brett always tells his team members that if they can do two simple things, they’ll have a wonderful career in the credit union industry—serve members and each other well.

2023 Wine Me Up!

Virtual Wine Pull is Now Open

The Foundation’s online virtual wine-pull in conjunction with the MD|DC Credit Union Association CONNECT 2023 Annual Meeting & Convention.

Visit the site, and you can select your wines online for $20 per bottle! Every bottle has an MSVP of at least $20, some as much as $125!

Visit Our Online Wine Pull

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FedChoice Charitable Foundation announces its official relaunch and expanded focus on bringing financial literacy and education programs to local communities.

On Thursday, April 20, to celebrate National Credit Union Youth Month and the theme “Unleash the Power of Savings at Your Credit Union”, FedChoice Charitable Foundation (FCF) partnered with the Cora L. Rice Elementary School, a Title I community school in Landover, MD, to engage students with activities centered around savings and financial literacy. Over 75 third-grade students took part in lessons on the “Power of Savings.”

After a 33-year career at First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU), Ronald Shockley, VP/Chief Operations Officer has announced his retirement from the credit union. One way his dedicated career of service will be honored is through a First Financial sponsored CU Foundation MD l DC Scholarship in his name.

Shockley began his career with First Financial in 1990, after graduating from the Naval Academy and serving in the Navy on submarines. During Shockley’s tenure, the credit union experienced tremendous growth in assets, loans, and membership. At the start of his career with First Financial, the credit union had $116 million in assets and 50 employees. Today, the credit union has assets of $1.3 billion and over 160 employees.

In addition to his leadership position with First Financial, Shockley served in several volunteer capacities on the CU Foundation MD|DC Board, including Vice Chair and in his latest role as Board Chair. To honor his service to the Foundation, FFFCU is sponsoring a Credit Union Foundation MD|DC scholarship in his honor in the amount of $1,000. To qualify for the CU College Scholarship, applicants must be members of a Maryland or District of Columbia-based credit union, or members of credit unions that are affiliated with the MD|DC CUA.

“Ron Shockley’s dedication to the credit union and our members has been unwavering since the beginning of his career with First Financial,” stated Eric Church, First Financial President/CEO. “His passion and loyalty have made a tremendous impact on our credit union and will leave behind a legacy of service and commitment to excellence.”

The Ron Shockley Scholarship will bring the number of essay scholarships to be awarded in 2023 to a total of eleven. “This scholarship is a fitting tribute to Ron and his dedicated service on the CU Foundation Board,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director, John Bratsakis.

The Foundation is excited to announce an exciting new Friend-Raiser for 2023.

Join us Sunday, June 11, 2023 as we kick off the MD|DC Credit Union Association’s CONNECT 2023 Annual Meeting & Convention at Bobby McKeys Dueling Piano Bar, National Harbor, MD.

Two piano players will take your requests and provide entertainment that combines live music, comedy, and audience interaction into a high-energy show. Everyone will be singing and laughing the night away while helping to support the CU Foundation.

The Foundation event includes a reception starting at 6 PM.  The performance starts at 7 PM.

Complete details, sponsorship opportunities and individual ticket sales are available at cufound.org/events.