New April Financial Education Initiative Piloted by NCUF & Select State CU Foundations

Credit unions looking for outreach activities this April, National Financial Literacy Month, have a few new resources to tap into thanks to the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) and the Texas Credit Union Foundation (TCUF). The two foundations have developed a new initiative, entitled “Credit Unions Support Financial Education: Leading the Way to Financial Freedom” and is being piloted in California, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas by state credit union foundations in each state.

In order to join in this initiative, credit unions in participating states must commit to collecting pledges for supporting financial education and to holding a “Financially Fit Day” event April 4, to include fundraising among staff and members. Fundraising could be as simple as a jeans or casual day for staff, but additional ideas are included in a toolkit at financialeducation.coop, the website created for this new initiative.  Also included on the website are pledge forms and other campaign resources such as sample newsletter articles, a sample flyer and statement stuffer, and web buttons.

“Supporting financial education is critical to the success of not only the credit union movement, but our country as well,” said Christopher Morris, NCUF Director of Communications. “We hope this campaign allows even more consumers to achieve financial freedom.”

The purpose of “Credit Unions Support Financial Education: Leading the Way to Financial Freedom” is two-fold:
•    raise awareness of credit unions’ financial education activities and the significance of financial education; and
•    raise funds for NCUF and state credit union foundations in support of their financial education initiatives.

“As champions of the financial education cause, this initiative is a wonderful opportunity for credit unions to continue their good work, and increase awareness of their efforts to wipe out financial illiteracy in this country,” said Courtney Moran, TCUF Executive Director. “With campaign materials and a toolkit being made available, we are making it easier for credit unions to participate.”

Donations made as part of the new initiative will be split 50/50 between NCUF and the state credit union foundation in which the donation was made. For more information on the new initiative, please visit financialeducation.coop.