WASHINGTON–Credit unions are using CUNA’s Member Activation Program (MAP) for a new purpose, according to Richard Gose, the trade group’s chief political officer.
In this case it’s to defend and advocate for funding of the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) fund, which the Trump Administration has tried to eliminate in its first two budgets. In both cases, Congress restored funding.
Gose noted approximately 300 credit unions are CDFIs and MAP allows them to communicate with members and highlight their stories.
“This is a great opportunity for CDFIs to talk about all the good they are doing, not just for their members but for members with particular needs,” he said. “We are there to help and serve our members and when you have programs such as the CDFI fund that exponentially increases your reach and ability to serve, it’s an important aspect of what CUs do.”
Gose said MAP has given those CUs that are CDFIs the ability to go to their members and ask for grassroots support. “We are pleased those credit unions have taken the program and used it in that way,” he said.