Contact:
Christopher Morris
608-231-4374 | cmorris@ncuf.coop
October, 1980
Foundation is chartered as “CUNA Foundation.” Staff includes a full-time director and one program assistant in Madison, Wis.
1981
First grant: $1,000 to New Zealand Credit Union League for custom overview analysis.
1982
First Credit Union Development Education (DE) Program launches with education grant from U.S. Agency for International Development (US AID)
February, 1989
First Herb Wegner Memorial Awards held in Washington, D.C. Recipients include R.C. Morgan, Cynthia Mandizha, and NCR Universal CU.
1991
Board expands to include broader representation of credit unions. Foundation nears $1 million in grants after first 11 years.
1992
Patricia Brownell (Sterner) hired as Executive Director. During the next nine years with Brownell leading the Foundation, more than $7.7 million will be distributed in grants.
October, 1992
“CUNA Foundation” changes name to “Credit Union Foundation” to better reflect commitment to credit unions.
1995
Relief efforts for Oklahoma City bombing raise $1.4 million for Disaster Relief Fund. Every dollar is disbursed to credit union victims’ families.
1996
Foundation facilitates creation of State Credit Union Foundation Network to further credit union development at state and local levels.
February, 1998
As state credit union foundations develop, “Credit Union Foundation” changes name to “National Credit Union Foundation.”
1999
Community Investment Fund (CIF) opens to provide credit unions opportunities to donate portion of dividends to NCUF and state credit union foundations. CIF attracts $650,000 in investments in first year.
Late 1999
Current logo introduced. Flame symbolizes credit union philosophy.
2000
Board expands to current form: 13 seats representing cross-sections of the credit union movement and major stakeholders.
October, 2002
CIF investments reach $100 million. Supported by partnerships with U.S. Central, corporate credit unions, state leagues and foundations, CIF emerges as the primary funding mechanism for programs and grants of NCUF and state foundations.
Late 2004
First America’s Credit Unions Congressional Golf Tournament held in Washington, D.C. During the next six years, the tournament will provide over $500,000 in funding for NCUF programs and grants.
April, 2005
CIF wins the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) 2005 Award for Excellence in Fundraising.
August, 2005
Disaster Relief Fund reactivated for Hurricane Katrina. Campaign raises largest amount ever for credit union disaster relief: $3.3 million. $3.4 million is ultimately disbursed to assist survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
May, 2006
Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance bestows “seal of approval” on NCUF for meeting National Standards of Charity Accountability.
June, 2006
NCUF makes largest non-disaster grant commitment ever: nearly $2 million over three years to sponsor the Biz Kid$ TV series, which began airing on PBS in 2007. Since then, the youth financial education show has won numerous awards and is featured in all 50 states.
October, 2006
To raise funds for major disasters affecting credit unions and their people, the Foundation launched CU Aid (www.cuaid.coop), the first online disaster relief fundraising system for credit unions.
2007
To further credit unions’ efforts to serve low-wealth and modest means households, NCUF begins the national expansion of REAL Solutions® as its signature program.
2008
NCUF launches REAL Solutions®’ Impact Center website (www.realsolutions.coop) which provides tools, resources and information for credit unions to better serve low-wealth households.
January, 2010
NCUF activates CUAid in conjunction with World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) for the credit union employees and members who suffered catastrophic loss due to the earthquake in Haiti. US credit unions and their members raised $453,390 for this disaster alone.
April, 2010
CIF with NCB, a new CIF alternative is launched. The partnership with NCB, FSB (NCB) the thrift subsidiary of the National Consumer Cooperative Bank will provide the credit union community with another CIF option to participate in and support the programs and services that NCUF and the state credit union foundations (SCUFs) provide.
June, 2010
Current Executive Director Wendell “Bucky” Sebastian takes helm.