MADISON, Wis.–The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, the fundraising and engagement arm of World Council of Credit Unions, is reporting that in its first month credit unions have donated nearly $300,000 in response to the CUNA Mutual Challenge.
As CUToday.info reported here, in mid-April CUNA Mutual Group said it would commit up to $1 million to the World Council of Credit Unions—if credit unions rise to a challenge. CUNA Mutual Group said it will provide a matching grant based on the amount of 2021 donations that come into Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions. For every dollar donated to the Worldwide Foundation, CUNA Mutual Group will give one dollar to the World Council.
The funds will help the Worldwide Foundation meet its 2021 Bridge the Gap campaign goal of $1.7 million, WOCCU said.
‘Overwhelming Response’
"The response from the U.S. credit union system has been overwhelming. During another challenging year for our members and our sector, credit unions once again step forward to support those they have never met or never seen: their global credit union colleagues,” said Mike Reuter, executive director of Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions. “With the Challenge continuing to move forward throughout the rest of 2021, I have no doubt other credit unions will step forward and respond to the leadership challenge CUNA Mutual Group has put forth.”
Added CUNA Mutual President and CEO Bob Trunzo, “I’m excited to see this level of support but am not surprised. This is what credit unions and their system partners do—we rise up to meet the financial challenges faced by people everywhere, ensuring a brighter financial future is accessible to everyone. We’re proud to partner with the Worldwide Foundation to close inclusion gaps to financial access and prosperity around the world. Together, we’re supporting credit union development in areas that don’t have access to financial services and are providing disaster relief, financial education.”
The Supporters
According to the Worldwide Foundation, to date, $292,600 has been pledged from the following organizations and individuals:
- LSC/Illinois Credit Union League
- SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
- State Employees Credit Union (North Carolina)
- Peach State Federal Credit Union
- GECU
- Next Mark Credit Union
- Local Government Federal Credit Union
- Advantis Credit Union
- Rivermark Community Credit Union
- Oregon Community Credit Union
- Financial Center First Credit Union
- Unitus Community Credit Union
- Credit Union of Southern California
- Harvard Employees University Credit Union
- Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union
- Kauai Government Employees Federal Credit Union
- Larry Blanchard
- Carla Cicero
- Geri Burek
How to Donate
To accept CUNA Mutual Group’s challenge and donate to Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ Bridge the Gap campaign, visit the 2021 CUNA Mutual Group Challenge homepage.