President's Message: Inspiring 2019 Awards Gala!
More than 265 credit union supporters gathered at the  Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Awards Gala in Charlotte on January 30 to celebrate the many accomplishments of credit unions in the Carolinas and honor several credit union professionals. The annual fundraising event for the Foundation is held in conjunction with the League’s  LAUNCH Conference .

The Awards Gala was sponsored by the League, CUNA Mutual Group, Your Marketing Co., and numerous other credit unions and business partners, whose support made the evening possible. Guests, many of which arrived in their Gatsby-inspired attire to celebrate a new “Roaring 20s” this year, were welcomed with a networking cocktail reception then plated dinner and awards ceremony.
Those honored at the Gala included 2019 state-level CUNA Award winners and 2019 Heroes with Individual Achievement, Lifetime Achievement, and Partner in Philanthropy Awards.  Click here  for the event’s complete program with sponsor and winner details and visit the  Foundation’s YouTube channel  to view all of the Achievement & Partner in Philanthropy award videos.

For more photos, please visit the  Foundation’s Facebook page  (and feel free to tag, like and share).

The Foundation is honored each year to celebrate the accomplishments of our peers and recognize those that make the credit union industry so remarkable! A special thanks is owed to the many sponsors, attendees, special guests, our emcee Creighton Blackwell and most importantly, the Carolinas Credit Union League's outstanding team (pictured above).

With a grateful heart,
Lauren Whaley
Other News from the Foundation
Annual Meeting brings new board leadership and officers
In conjunction with its quarterly board meeting, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation held its Annual Meeting on February 11, 2020 to elect two new officers and executive committee members. 

“The future of the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation has never been more promising as we continue to strengthen our partnerships with credit unions in the Carolinas who are working each day to better the lives of members and make an impact in local communities,” noted Foundation President Lauren Whaley in the announcement. “The tremendous leadership, mentorship, and management of the Foundation’s Board of Directors are guiding our success as we continue to celebrate philanthropic efforts and collaborate on programs and projects that build change, better our communities, and aid those in our industry.”

Dora, Desjardin and Herring nominations due June 30th
CUNA's National Award programs are designed to encourage and recognize distinguished credit unions that demonstrate social responsibility (the Dora Maxwell Award), credit union philosophy (the Louise Herring Award), and financial education (the Desjardins Awards). All state-level winners are recognized at the Foundation's Awards Gala held at the beginning of each year.

Small CU grants announced
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 voluntee rs. $18,750 wa s awarded for 2020!

Scholarship grading underway
The 2020-2021 scholarship cycle ended on February 1, 2020. Any member from a CU based in North or South Carolina was able to apply and more than 1,000 applications were received. Grading is now underway, with winners announced in April. More than $225,000 in scholarships will be awarded! If your credit union is interested in learning more, please click here .
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 serves as a founding partner to Victory Junction, a year-round camping facility, located in Randleman, NC, for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Over the last 15 years, more than $5 million has been raised by credit unions in the Carolinas to support its camp and outreach programs. The Foundation 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.