Credit Union Development

Cornerstone credit unions of any asset size in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and credit unions of asset sizes above $100M in Kansas and Missouri may apply for one Professional Development Grant annually. 

Credit unions below $100M in Kansas and Missouri: please see the opportunity below for Professional Development Scholarships.

Deadlines

The Professional Development Grant application will open Nov. 30, 2023.

What's Covered

Grant applications may be submitted for the following Professional Development options:

Training Calendar for CU Staff and Volunteers

• Certifications: Credit Union Development Educator Program (CUDE), FiCEP Program (CCUFC), etc.  
• Conferences, seminars, workshops, webinars, and roundtables that are offered through Cornerstone or industry-related organizations, and the training must be beneficial to credit union development

 

The Training Calendar may include one or more training or educational events for one or multiple individuals from the credit union. The credit union is awarded one grant total to assist with registration fees, lodging, and travel necessary to attend approved events on the training calendar. The credit union may prioritize how funds are spent, but only on training opportunities that were submitted with original grant application. 

 

What's Not Covered

Please carefully review the full Cornerstone Grants and Scholarships guidelines for details. 

The Southwest CUNA Management School (SCMS) scholarships and the application process are separate from the Professional Development Grant or Scholarships (see below). All Cornerstone credit unions are eligible for SCMS Scholarships and Community Development Grants regardless of other grants or scholarships received.

Staff and volunteers from credit unions with less than $100M in assets in Kansas and Missouri may apply for Professional Development Scholarships. 

Scholarship applications may be submitted for the following professional development options:

Training and Education for CU Staff and Volunteers

• Certifications: Credit Union Development Educator Program (CUDE), FiCEP Program (CCUFC), etc.  
• Conferences, seminars, workshops, webinars, and roundtables that are offered through Cornerstone or industry-related organizations, and the training must be beneficial to credit union development

Process

The application must be submitted to the Cornerstone Foundation a minimum of 30 days before the training or educational program you wish to attend. You must submit one form per individual at the credit union.

Cornerstone Foundation staff will review applications as they are received and may approve or deny requests based on policy set forth by the Cornerstone Grants Committee. Funding is awarded based on demonstrated need and dollars available. Partial scholarships may be awarded.

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What's Covered

Scholarships will cover the cost of registration fees for events held inside or outside the Cornerstone region. However, lodging and travel expenses will only be reimbursed if the event is held inside the Cornerstone region and attendees stay at the host hotel.

What's Not Covered

Please carefully review the full Cornerstone Grants and Scholarships guidelines for details. 

The Southwest CUNA Management School (SCMS) scholarships and the application process are separate from the Professional Development Grant or Scholarships (see below). All Cornerstone credit unions are eligible for SCMS Scholarships and Community Development Grants regardless of other grants or scholarships received.

Thanks to the generous contributions of SCMS alumni and students, Cornerstone Foundation, TruStage, and others, scholarships are available for first, second, and third-year students enrolled in SCMS. Scholarships are not limited to one person per credit union. Any student may apply.

Deadlines

The 2024 grant application window opened Nov. 30, 2023. 

SCMS Scholarship application deadline is April 30, 2024. 

 

Process

Tuition is first paid to the school and then awarded scholarships are sent to the credit union on behalf of the student. All SCMS scholarships are awarded via a points matrix system, and only partial scholarships are awarded except for a full scholarship given to a first-year young professional: C2C (Connect to Collaborate) Scholarship.

Cornerstone Chapters serve a very important purpose in the credit union system. They are a source of professional and organizational development, local credit union awareness, and community outreach. Credit union chapters also are a centralized source of connection to credit unions for the community. Grants are available for Cornerstone chapters to help them achieve their goals and objectives. 

Each chapter is eligible to apply annually for one of the following:

• Professional Development Grant – Max Grant Size: $2,000
  • Training or educational programs or speakers that will be beneficial to member credit unions
• Community Development Grant – Max Grant Size: $10,000
  • Community Outreach Program that supports one of the 12 development issues
  • (See Community Development Grants for more guidelines)

Deadlines