Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions Nets Nearly $300,000 in First Month of CUNA Mutual Challenge
The credit union movement is meeting the call to match $1 million pledged to World Council by CUNA Mutual Group
May 13, 2021
MADISON, Wis.—Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, the fundraising and engagement arm of World Council of Credit Unions, is thrilled to announce that in just one month our global credit union movement has stepped up to donate nearly $300,000 in response to the CUNA Mutual Challenge.
On April 13, CUNA Mutual Group, the largest international provider of insurance and retirement services to credit unions, pledged to give World Council of Credit Unions up to $1 million to support its work to champion and grow credit unions and cooperative finance worldwide—provided the credit union movement matched them by donating $1 million to the Worldwide Foundation in 2021.
To date, $292,600 has been pledged from these organizations and individuals:
LSC/Illinois Credit Union League
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
State Employees Credit Union (North Carolina)
Peach State Federal Credit Union
GECU
Next Mark Credit Union
Local Government Federal Credit Union
Advantis Credit Union
Rivermark Community Credit Union
Oregon Community Credit Union
Financial Center First Credit Union
Unitus Community Credit Union
Credit Union of Southern California
Harvard Employees University Credit Union
Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union
Kauai Government Employees Federal Credit Union
Larry Blanchard
Carla Cicero
Geri Burek
The funds will help the Worldwide Foundation meet its 2021 Bridge the Gap campaign goal of $1.7 million.
"The response from the U.S. credit union system has been overwhelming. During another challenging year for our members and our sector, credit unions once again step forward to support those they have never met or never seen: their global credit union colleagues. With the Challenge continuing to move forward throughout the rest of 2021, I have no doubt other credit unions will step forward and respond to the leadership challenge CUNA Mutual Group has put forth," said Mike Reuter, Executive Director of Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions.
“I’m excited to see this level of support but am not surprised,” said Robert N. Trunzo, President & CEO of CUNA Mutual Group. “This is what credit unions and their system partners do—we rise up to meet the financial challenges faced by people everywhere, ensuring a brighter financial future is accessible to everyone. We’re proud to partner with the Worldwide Foundation to close inclusion gaps to financial access and prosperity around the world. Together, we’re supporting credit union development in areas that don’t have access to financial services and are providing disaster relief, financial education and empowerment to women and young professionals in areas that need it most. So, I challenge you to join us and help bridge the gap.”
To accept CUNA Mutual Group’s challenge and donate to Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ Bridge the Gap campaign, visit the 2021 CUNA Mutual Group Challenge homepage.
The Worldwide Foundation is the fundraising and engagement arm of the World Council. Join us on a global journey to transform a billion lives worldwide using credit unions. Visit www.doglobalgood.org to start your journey today.
The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, as the strategic partner of the World Council, bridges gaps impacting credit unions' ability to grow and advance financial inclusion worldwide. Our commitment to provide global credit union journeys augments our shared vision with World Council's of realizing a vibrant and growing global credit union movement. Worldwide Foundation's philanthropy advances World Council's technical capacity to strengthen credit union systems that advance financial inclusion to underserved communities.
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is the apex association for credit unions and other global financial cooperatives. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 74,634 credit unions in 104 countries serve 411 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.
Organization: World Council of Credit Unions
E-mail: gneumann@woccu.org
Phone: +1 608-395-2048
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