The CU Foundation MD|DC has announced the winners of its annual Credit Union Scholarship Program, which is open to any member of a Maryland, DC or MD|DC CUA affiliated credit union.

This year’s winners in the Essay Competition are:

  • Grace Berquist – First Financial FCU
  • Latanya Cammon – Johns Hopkins FCU
  • Bryce Davis – Freedom FCU
  • Ana Foendador – Educational Systems FCU
  • Aquiles Foendador – Educational Systems FCU
  • Leah Foltyn – APG FCU
  • Justin Nguyen – Johns Hopkins FCU
  • Christian Rondon – MECU Credit Union
  • Elle Sloan – Nymeo FCU
  • Adam Weed – Nymeo FCU

This year’s winners in the Video Competition are:

  • Christian Belzares – OAS FCU
  • Jeremy Bouma – APL FCU

Over 75 volunteer judges from credit unions an credit union business partners selected this year’s winners from among 192 essay and 24video entries. Each of this year’s winners will receive a $2,000 scholarship award from the Foundation presented to them by their credit union.

View 2026 Winning Essays based on the theme:

Credit unions play a significant role in promoting financial wellness among their members. How do you believe credit unions contribute to the financial health and stability of individuals and communities? Discuss specific benefits and provide examples or personal experiences to illustrate their impact.

View year’s video winners based on the theme: Create a 60 second video depicting how credit unions contribute to the financial health and stability of individuals and communities.

The CU Foundation MD|DC|DE has launched its first-ever Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) Scholarship, providing one credit union professional or volunteer with funding to attend the nationally recognized CUDE Program offered through the National Credit Union Foundation.

The scholarship provides up to $4,500 to cover registration fees and offset travel and lodging expenses. It is open to credit union staff and volunteers from credit unions of any asset size.

The CUDE Program is an immersive professional development experience that helps participants deepen their understanding of the credit union philosophy, cooperative principles, and the challenges impacting financial well-being. Participants also explore the 12 development issues that affect communities and gain tools to better serve their members and advance the credit union mission.

Upon completion of the program, participants earn the Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) designation and join a network of credit union leaders committed to strengthening communities through cooperative finance.

Applications for the inaugural scholarship are now open and must be submitted by September 18, 2026.

For more information and to apply visit the Professional Development section of the Foundation website here.

There is more to financial health and well-being than just being financially literate.  Many factors can become barriers to people’s ability to achieve their financial goals or achieve a better quality of life.

In 2025 the Foundation, in partnership with Vizo Financial, launched the Vizo Financial Empowerment Grant for credit unions working on projects that address financial wellness issues in their communities. We are celebrating the work done by two of our grant recipients using these funds to help their members.

Addressing Student Barriers to Success in the DMV – FedChoice Charitable Foundation

The FedChoice Charitable Foundation applied their grant funds to several initiatives focused on helping underserved communities in the DMV. Focusing on barriers to success that low-income students face, the foundation used grant funds to distribute essential health and hygiene products, including soap, deodorant, feminine sanitary napkins, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and hand sanitizer,  to students at Cora L. Rice Elementary School and G. James Gholson Middle School, two Title I schools located in Prince George’s County.  

“With so many barriers that our students face, a simple hygiene package can definitely boost self-esteem and decrease chances of a student being bullied. Every other week, our hygiene supply closet is completely emptied. The need is so strong, and the kids are super grateful for [the] support,” said Michelle Hibbert, Community Liaison, Cora L. Rice Elementary School when commenting on the support they received.

 

Helping Young Parents Build Financial Stability for their Families – SECU MD Foundation

The SECU MD Foundation used their Vizo grant funds to build on their partnership with The Family Tree, Maryland’s leading authority for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.  Working in Baltimore City, the foundation integrated financial education into The Family Tree’s holistic family stability and child abuse prevention services by tailoring content to families’ unique needs.

The foundation’s family financial literacy program focused on foundational money management skills, including budgeting, saving, and spending. In collaboration with Family Tree staff, they refined the curriculum to emphasize practical budgeting tools and strategies that families could immediately apply.  While adults participated in financial empowerment sessions, The Family Tree’s childcare team provided age-appropriate financial education activities and games to introduce children to basic money concepts.  Using grant funds, the program has laid a foundation for long-term financial wellness and stronger, more resilient families.

Grant Funds for Your Community Projects

The Credit Union Foundation is looking to help you create a positive, long-lasting impact in your communities.  Vizo Financial Empowerment Grants are still available.  Apply online here.

Credit union leaders from across Maryland took the stage at the Maryland Council on Economic Education (MCEE) Financial and Economic Educator Summit for a lively panel discussion on Reality Fairs – the hands-on exercises that teach students essential money management skills.

The panel, moderated by CU Foundation director Leigh Philibosian, discussed ways credit unions have partnered with their local school districts on reality fairs and financial education that help students improve their financial decision-making skills.

“The most gratifying thing for me is when I run into students years later and they tell me how much they remember learning at a fair and what an impact it had on them,” said Becky McKenzie, CEO of Wepco FCU in Bloomington, MD and chair of the Western Chapter of Credit Unions.  The Western Chapter credit unions have been partnering with Allegany County public schools for more than 10 years.

“With reality fairs, we’re really trying to challenge the kids to think differently about money,” said Kristin Kauffman, Chief Marketing Officer at Cedar Point FCU in Lexington Park, MD.  “We’ve been very excited to partner with Educational Systems FCU and our local school officials to bring reality fairs to St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert Counties for the first time this year.”

 

The panelists included:

  • Becky McKenzie, President/CEO, Wepco FCU
  • Liz Monti, Vice President, Financial Education, APG FCU
  • Kristin Kauffman, Chief Marketing Officer, Cedar Point FCU
  • Candace Thompson, Business Development Officer, Educational Systems FCU

Hosted annually by MCEE, the Financial and Economic Educator Educators Summit, is a statewide professional development conference for K-12 educators who focus on personal finance and economics curriculum.

The CU Foundation MD|DC has announced the winners of its annual Credit Union Scholarship Program, which is open to any member of a Maryland, DC or MD|DC CUA affiliated credit union.

This year’s winners in the Essay Competition are:

  • Omaretsuli Bafor, Nymeo FCU
  • Evan DeVoe, APG FCU
  • Cameron Grant, APG FCU
  • Laith Harris-Watts, NASA FCU
  • Michael Oltarzewski, APG FCU
  • Oluwaseye Onasanya, First Financial FCU
  • Zackary Patton, Point Breeze CU
  • Peyton Pflaumer, Johns Hopkins FCU
  • Natalia Polo, OAS FCU
  • Annika Smith, Congressional FCU

This year’s winners in the Video Competition are:

  • Natalia Polo, OAS FCU
  • Alana Williams, SecurityPlus FCU

Over 65 volunteer judges from credit unions an credit union business partners selected this year’s winners from among 161 essay and 20 video entries. Each of this year’s winners will receive a $2,000 scholarship award from the Foundation presented to them by their credit union.

View 2025 Winning Essays based on the theme:

Explain the good habits you’ve developed for creating a sound financial future for you and your family. Additionally, explain how your relationship with your credit union enhances or helps you establish or maintain those habits.

View year’s video winners based on the theme: Create a 60-second video depicting one or more good habits for making sound financial decisions and how your relationship with your credit union has helped you establish, enhance, or maintain those habits.

The CU Foundation MD|DC supported volunteers from Cedar Point FCU and Educational Systems FCU in hosting the first Financial Reality Fair in St. Mary’s County.

About 60 financial math students from three St. Mary’s County public high schools attended the hands-on program at St. Mary’s County Career & Technology Center.

Students were assigned a career and had to figure out how to stretch their income to cover essential expenses—like housing, food, and transportation. They also had the chance to splurge on fun extras like vacations, spa days, and even pets. This real-life simulation helps students learn the importance of smart budgeting.

The event, designed to teach smart money management, was a team effort. Kristin Kauffman from Cedar Point FCU and Candace Thompson from Educational Systems FCU teamed up with Sarah Lorek, St. Mary’s County Public Schools Supervisor of Strategic Initiatives. Employees from both credit unions volunteered to make the fair a success.

Credit unions are kicking off the year with a series of financial Reality Fairs around Maryland.  For more information or to volunteer, contact Leigh Philibosian at leigh@cufound.org.

 

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 – 8 am – 2:45 pm

St. Mary’s County Public School

Career & Technology Center: 24005 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown, MD 20650

 

Monday, February 10 & Tuesday, February 11, 2025 – 8:00 am – 12 pm

Calvert County School District 7th Graders

Career & Technology Academy: 330 Dorsey Rd, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

 

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 – Time TBD

St. Mary’s Public Schools

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

 

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – 7:00 am – 3:30 pm

Calvert County Middle School Reality Fair

 

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – 8:00 am – 3:30 pm

Frederick County Public Schools

Crestwood Middle School

 

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 – 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Western Chapter Reality Fair

Hot Stove Bingo Hall, Cumberland, MD

 

The CU Foundation MD|DC has announced an increase to its training grant tuition reimbursement amount from 75% to 100% of the tuition costs, with an annual cap of $2,000 per credit union beginning January 1, 2025. Additionally, the board approved changing the asset size eligibility limit from $150 million to $250 million.

The training grants are available for credit union staff and volunteers to attend programs to expand their knowledge, sharpen their skills and enhance their leadership ability to better serve their members and communities.

“Maintaining a skilled and highly qualified workforce and board is key to serving our members and growing our credit unions,” said Jim Whipp, Foundation board chair and CEO of Five Star Federal Credit Union. “The costs to access the level of education needed continues to be a challenge for smaller credit unions. These grants can make a big difference to the affordability of the trainings and certifications required for their staff or board.”

Any credit union with assets of $250 million and under located in Maryland, the District of Columbia or affiliated with the MD|DC Credit Union Association is eligible for a training reimbursement grant through the Foundation. Eligible credit unions can submit applications on the CU Foundation website.

The CU Foundation MD|DC has announced they have increased their annual scholarship awards to $2,000 per student for the 2025-2026 academic year.

“Affording college continues to be a challenge for so many of our student members and their families,” said Jim Whipp, Foundation board chair and CEO of Five Star Federal Credit Union. “Even a modest increase from a $1,000 to a $2,000 scholarship can create a big impact in a student’s ability to afford higher education.”

The popular scholarship program, sponsored by the CU Foundation MD|DC, features two application categories – essay & video. Students who are members of any credit union located in Maryland, DC or affiliated with the MD|DC Credit Union Association are eligible to apply for one of ten essay-based awards and/or two video-based awards.

“Our program is designed so credit unions can offer the scholarship as their own,” noted Foundation Director Leigh Philibosian. “The scholarship program is an easy way for credit unions to establish a connection with younger members and reinforce their commitment to the communities they serve. Credit unions just have to add a link from their website to the application information on the Foundation’s site. We even provide free marketing materials for the credit union to use.”

The deadline for students to apply is 11:59 pm on April 15, 2025.  Awards will be announced in June 2025.

Wine Me Up! raised nearly $5,000 for Foundation programs and grants during the MD|DC Credit Union Association CONNECT 2024 conference in Ocean City, MD this June. Over 200 bottles of wine were pulled by attendees at the Foundation’s booth in the exhibit hall.

“We are so grateful to have the support of our credit union community for this yearly event,” said Linda Albrecht, Advancement Committee Chair.  “Every year we are so very thankful for the generosity of our donors and the enthusiasm for the wine pull during the conference.”

Many thanks to Allied Solutions for sponsoring this year’s Dom Perignon, to Cooperative Business Solutions and John Bratsakis for sponsoring the Bourbon and Cigars raffle and to all our 2024 Wine Me Up! donors.

Dom Perignon Winners:

  • Cheryl Rice, APG FCU
  • Frank King, Five Star FCU

Bourbon and Cigars Raffle Winner

  • David Sitzer, First Financial FCU

Proceeds support Foundation programs such as the Millionaire’s Club, College Scholarships and grants to credit unions.