Summit Credit Union reaffirms commitment to small credit unions and women’s leadership with new $130,000 contribution
GREENSBORO, NC (October 25, 2024) — Summit Credit Union is proud to announce its continued dedication to supporting small credit unions and fostering leadership in the industry by committing another $100,000 to the Hamilton Fund for underwriting its Professional Development Grant Program. This program is designed to support credit unions with $100 million or less in assets by providing opportunities for staff and volunteers to enhance their skills and grow their organizations. Additionally, Summit Credit Union is contributing $30,000 ($10,000 bi-annually) to support the INSPIRE Conference, empowering female leaders in the credit union space in the southeast.
Support for this grant comes from Summit Credit Union and the Hamilton Fund, a legacy of Sis and Jim Hamilton. Sis Hamilton, former CEO of Summit Credit Union for over 60 years and a board member for 70, was a trailblazer in the credit union movement, leaving a lasting impact on the industry and the small credit unions she worked to support throughout her career.
Sam Whitehurst, President & CEO of Summit Credit Union, expressed his enthusiasm for the ongoing support of these programs: “The legacy of Sis and Jim Hamilton continues to inspire us at Summit. Their commitment to the growth and sustainability of small credit unions remains at the heart of our mission. We are proud to once again support the Hamilton Fund and the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation to help equip other credit unions with the resources needed to thrive.”
The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, which administers the Hamilton Fund, is equally committed to the success of these initiatives. Lauren Whaley, President & CEO of the Foundation, emphasized the value these programs bring: “Through Summit Credit Union’s generous contributions, we can continue to offer meaningful professional development grants and support women in leadership. These opportunities strengthen not only individual credit unions, but the entire credit union community.”
Since its inception, the Hamilton Fund has played a pivotal role in supporting the educational and professional development needs of small credit unions. This new commitment ensures that credit unions across the Carolinas will continue to have access to crucial resources for years to come.
For more information on applying for the Professional Development Grant Program, please contact the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation at CarolinasFoundation.org. The INSPIRE Conference is slated for September 18-19, 2025 in Charlotte, NC with additional details to be announced soon at CarolinasLeague.org.
Check Presentation at Summit Credit Union’s All Staff Enrichment Day
(Left to Right): Sam Whitehurst, President/CEO at Summit CU; James Grenon, VP of Administration at Summit CU; Lauren Whaley, President/CEO at Carolinas Credit Union Foundation; Jack Thornton, Chairman at Summit CU
About Summit Credit Union (NC)
Summit Credit Union was established in 1935 and is a full-service not-for-profit financial cooperative, providing services to employees at over 300 companies throughout North Carolina. It has about 33,000 members and approximately $346 million in assets. Summit Credit Union offers a full portfolio of personal financial products, including checking accounts, debit cards, credit cards, online banking, direct deposit, mobile app, ATMs, and more.
For more information, visit SummitCU.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
About Carolinas Credit Union Foundation
The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation was incorporated in 1993 as a charitable organization dedicated to the embodiment of the “people helping people” philosophy of credit unions. Its mission is to empower and inspire credit unions in the Carolinas through collaborative opportunities to enrich our communities. The Foundation serves as a founding partner to Victory Junction, a year-round camping facility, located in Randleman, NC, for children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Over the last 20 years, more than $5 million has been raised by credit unions in the Carolinas to support its camp and outreach programs.
The Foundation also serves as a partner in philanthropy with credit unions, assisting charitable giving through donor-advised funds, managing scholarship programs, supporting small credit unions with professional development grants, and aiding disaster relief for the local, national, and global credit union communities.
For more information, visit CarolinasFoundation.org and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
