Community Grant Program (Carolinas Credit Union Foundation)

Community Grant Program (Carolinas Credit Union Foundation) is sponsored by Carolinas Credit Union Foundation. This program provides matching grants to small non-profits in local communities within North Carolina and South Carolina, selected by credit union Chapters or collaborative credit unions.

Small Credit Union Grants – Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Become a Friend of the Foundation Small Credit Union Grants Thank you so much for this opportunity. This scholarship will allow me to receive an Executive Coach to help in achieving higher goals personally and for my credit union. The foundation’s generosity and support is an investment in the advancement of the credit union movement.

Acclaim Federal Credit Union The Foundation’s Technology and Capital Improvements Grant Program: Technology and Capital Improvements Grants are available to credit unions with $100 million or less in assets, with priority given to credit unions with less than $50 million in assets. Applications are accepted each year from June 1 – October 1 . The Foundation awarded $100,000 in Technology & Capital Improvements Grants in 2025 !

The grant program was first launched in 2021 and was kickstarted by the generosity of the Carolinas Credit Union League and CUNA Mutual Group with a $50,000 donation . In 2023, the League followed up with a $75,000 donation. Support continues from credit unions and other supporters donating to our Programs Fund.

Current year grant recipients should complete a Grant Reporting Summary by December 31, 2026. The reporting form is here . To learn more about the program, please click the application bar below.

Apply for a Technology & Capital Improvements Grant Hamilton Fund (managed by the Carolinas Foundation): Thanks to the financial support of Summit Credit Union and the Elizabeth N. and James V. Hamilton Fund , small credit unions are eligible for grants to cover top-tier training and education expenses.

Elizabeth “Sis” Hamilton served as the manager and CEO of Summit Credit Union for 60 years and served on the board of directors for 70 years, making her the longest serving credit union volunteer in U.S. history. During that time, she managed as many as five other credit unions while also managing Summit Credit Union. Sis was a pioneer in our industry and valued the important role of small credit unions in our communities.

In honor of her legacy and that of her late husband, Summit Credit Union has allocated $100,000 to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation to underwrite its Professional Development Grant Program to preserve the important role of small credit unions in the Carolinas.

Grant Process Cycle for the Hamilton Fund The Foundation and Summit Credit Union are proud to support small credit unions through the Hamilton Professional Grant Fund program. Credit unions can apply for grants to attend select conferences throughout the year. Credit unions are eligible to receive up to $1,000 per calendar year.

Grants are accepted first-come, first-serve until grant funds for the year are exhausted. Greater consideration will be given to credit unions with less than $50 million in assets. If urgent grant funding is needed, please email [email protected] .

Conference registration, travel and accommodation expenses up to the allocated grant amount may be covered. All receipts must be provided for reimbursement. To seek reimbursement for travel expenses please complete the online reimbursement request form here .

Other 2026 Grant Opportunities from the Hamilton Fund Performance Pros Consulting is offering the opportunity for 10 credit unions to receive a discounted on-site visit for loan policy review and frontline coaching to increase loan growth. (Available year-round. Limited to one grant per credit union.)

Click here for more details. The Carolinas Credit Union League’s TalentGuided program (Available year-round. Limited to one grant per credit union.)

There are two grant packages available (please indicate your preference on the application): Executive Coaching Package: $2,000 toward eight executive coaching sessions, with a remaining cost of $800 for your credit union. Executive coaching is an on-target, tailored, expedited, and effective way of boosting your leadership skills as a member of the C-suite at your organization.

Business Coaching Package: $1,000 toward eight business coaching sessions, with a remaining cost of $400 for your credit union. Business coaching is individually tailored to your needs. The process of having your expert “guide on the side” will help you—at any stage in your career—set better goals, reach your goals, make better decisions, and improve your relationships.

Enhanced Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) . Registration closes on March 31, 2026. (Limited to one grant per credit union per year.)

Click to Apply for a Hamilton Grant Vizo Financial Empowerment Grant: Through the generosity of Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union, credit unions of all asset sizes can apply for grants that will fund financial education projects or programs to empower members to reach financial goals and establish a better quality of life.

Credit unions are encouraged to submit grant applications to implement programs or undertake projects in collaboration with other credit unions and/or community organizations, enriching financial literacy offerings for members and the communities credit unions serve. Greater consideration will be applied to grant applications when budget limitations act as a barrier to community outreach initiatives.

Grants can be requested for up to a maximum of $10,000. The grant cycle runs February 1 through May 1 each year. Principles & Philosophy Conference Scholarships: The Carolinas CUDEs created the Principles & Philosophy Conference in 2010 in order to provide credit union staff with an in-depth look at the credit union business model, the Eight Cooperative Principles and the role of credit unions in the financial system.

Presented in partnership with the Carolinas Credit Union League each year, the conference has grown into a vital educational event for the benefit of credit union staff and volunteers. Earnings from the conference each year are swept into the Carolinas CUDE Scholarship Fund at the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation.

Credit unions $100 million or less in assets are eligible for scholarship funds for the Principles & Philosophy Conference . Scholarships include meals, lodging, tuition and conference materials. Applications are accepted through the first Friday in September each year.

If you are interested in applying for or learning more about these scholarship opportunities, please contact Jeff Hardin, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation’s director of collaborative programs, at 336-601-1764 .

Apply for a Principles & Philosophy Conference Scholarship CUDE and ICUDE Scholarships CUDE and ICUDE Scholarship opportunities are available to staff at credit unions of all sizes that have successfully completed the Principles & Philosophy Conference. More information about the scholarship program and the Carolinas CUDE group is available here .

Southeastern Regional Credit Union School Scholarships (SRCUS) Interested in scholarship support to attend SRCUS? Financial assistance is available annually for credit unions with assets at or below $250 million through the Carolinas Credit Union League. Scholarship applications are due around May 1 each year.

For more details and contact information, please click here .