Greetings credit union friends, and happy International Credit Union Day! Celebrated since 1948, ICU Day commemorates the credit union movement’s history and achievements with a goal to raise awareness of the tremendous work credit unions do around the world! Together with our employees, members and communities through chapter meetings, fundraisers and in-branch member appreciation events, we are celebrating "Local Service. Global Reach." As your credit union joins in this unique and exciting ICU Day, you are among 89,026 credit unions with 260 million members in 117 countries who appreciate the CU difference! I look forward to joining the Piedmont Chapter's festivities this evening!

It was a busy summer for the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation and the holidays will be here before you know it. In September, I was fortunate to attend the National Foundation's Credit Union Development Education program in Madison, Wisconsin - a full week with #TheBestClassEver! The CUDE program is a powerful experience centered around credit union philosophy and identifying barriers to economic growth and prosperity for families around the world. Participants from all levels within the credit union system are empowered to understand and leverage the unique business model of credit unions to serve the needs of members and communities in new and better ways. I was inspired by so many in my internationally diverse class and know that the CUDE experience has only amplified my passion for helping credit unions in the Carolinas enrich our communities.

This experience was made possible by a generous scholarship established by CUDEs of the Carolinas. Scholarship applications for the 2020 classes are due by November 30! My graduating class of 48 credit union leaders featured six new Carolina DEs from SC Federal, Vision Financial, Coastal, Civic and Local Government (pictured above in front of the World Council of Credit Unions) . Don't let the CUDE experience pass you by!

Cooperatively,
Lauren Whaley, CUDE
News from the Foundation
Invite your members to apply for scholarships!
The 2020-2021 Carolinas Credit Union Foundation scholarship cycle officially launched this month, with applications due on February 1, 2020. Any member from a CU based in North or South Carolina can apply so promote this opportunity to your members!

Gala honorees: state-level winners announced!
State-level winners in the CUNA Awards Program have been announced and registration has officially opened for the Awards Gala to be held on January 30, 2020! Congrats to all of this year's winners and to every participating credit union for their worthy efforts!


Last Call: Nominations due by Nov 1 for credit union heroes
The Foundation is still accepting nominations for the 2019 Achievement and Partner in Philanthropy Awards that will be presented at the Awards Gala.

Attention, small CUs!
The Hamilton Professional Development Grant program, provided in partnership with Summit Credit Union, provides grants to small credit unions ($50 million or less in assets) for use towards development and training for staff and volunteers. $20,000 will be awarded for 2020!

CUs rally together to show support for the Mosley family
As Premier FCU still mourns the loss of a young mother who lost her life to domestic violence, the credit union community in the Carolinas has come together to ensure her family is provided for.


Foundation and chapters collaborate on giving back
Chapters spent the summer spearheading community give-back projects in the Carolinas.


15th Annual Carolinas Cup: auction items still needed!
Registration is full for CUNA Mutual Group's Carolinas Cup slated for later this month, but there's still opportunity for your support! The silent and live auction is the biggest contributor to the event's success and we are welcoming any donations! To date, the Carolinas Cup event has raised approximately $681,000 for Victory Junction and we want this year to be our best year yet!

Email me for more details.
Contact the Foundation:
Lauren Whaley, President | 919-600-8219 | E-mail |

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation was incorporated in 1993 as a charitable organization dedicated to the embodiment of the “people helping people” philosophy of credit unions. Its mission is to empower and inspire credit unions in the Carolinas through collaborative opportunities to enrich our communities. The Foundation is currently partnering with Victory Junction to power its outreach program called Reach, bringing specialized camp-style programming to children and families year-round at hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses in the Carolinas. It also serves as a partner in philanthropy with credit unions, assisting charitable giving through donor-advised funds, managing scholarship programs, supporting small credit unions with professional development grants, and aiding disaster relief for the local, national, and global credit union communities.