As credit unions finalize their budgets and plans for the year ahead, the New York Credit Union Association is reminding individuals and institutions about the importance of membership in the New York Credit Union Foundation.

The charitable arm of the New York credit union movement serves individuals, credit unions, schools and community organizations that help improve the financial independence of New Yorkers and promote the credit union difference.

“Our members are the backbone of the Foundation, and when you become a Foundation member, you’re helping to foster the financial independence of all New Yorkers through credit unions,” wrote Foundation Chair Cathy Benson, chief lending officer of CFCU Community Credit Union, in a letter to New York’s credit unions last month. “Your Foundation membership in turn helps us support the greater credit union community. It allows us to carry out our mission, and most importantly, it helps ensure credit unions can continue to serve their members in new and innovative ways.”

Credit union membership in the Foundation helps fund the organization’s various grant programs, including:

• Disaster Relief Grants, which are awarded to credit unions, employees, volunteers and members who have been impacted by unforeseen disasters;
• Professional Development Grants, which enable credit union employees and volunteers to attend education and training programs offered by the Association and other credit union system organizations;
• Smart Money Grants, which fund credit unions’ efforts to reach emerging and underrepresented markets, including youth, older Americans, immigrant populations and people of low or modest means; and
• Small Credit Union Grants, which help credit unions with up to $100 million in assets fund initiatives to improve member service.

To learn more about the Foundation or investing in a membership, visit the Foundation’s website.