Workforce Development and Education Grants

Cornerstone League recognizes member credit unions for their growth and community endeavors to exemplify the “people helping people” philosophy. 

Education CU Recognized for Workforce Development, Excellence

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Amarillo, Texas-based Education Credit Union has been honored with two accolades showcasing its commitment to workforce development and exceptional service.

• Nationally, ECU has been named, for the second year in a row, one of Newsweek’s 2025 Best Credit Unions, solidifying its reputation as a leader in the credit union industry.

• Workforce Solutions Panhandle awarded ECU the 2024 Local Employer of Excellence award for its comprehensive efforts in cultivating a skilled workforce pipeline, empowering individuals through education, and contributing to a strong and engaged Panhandle community. The credit union was honored for its leadership in fostering student career readiness through the following efforts:

• Job fairs, career fairs, and school career planning events
• Teacher externship program
• Texas Panhandle career signing days
• Panhandle workforce pipeline
• Financial wellness efforts
  

“We are incredibly proud to receive recognition at both the local and national levels,” said Marcus Smith, president/CEO of Education Credit Union. “These awards reflect our unwavering dedication to empowering our community and members through service, education, and innovation.”

Texas Trust Boosts Learning with $70,000 in Education Grants

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Eight Texas school district education foundations received $70,000 in grants from the Texas Trust Gives Foundation, the charitable arm of  Texas Trust Credit Union. The grants ranged from $4,000 to nearly $13,000 each, based on project scope and student impact.

• Arlington, Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, HEB, Irving, Lewisville, Mansfield, and San Angelo grants will help the districts carry out a range of programs targeting preschoolers through seniors.
• San Angelo ISD received funding to support students at elementary schools with mobile STEM carts, offering students hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and math.
• Mansfield ISD will fund Summit High School’s PTECH Academy, a tech-based program that teaches real-world skills for highly-demand IT careers. Students in the program earn college-level credit along with high school credit.
• Lewisville ISD, serving Denton and Tarrant counties, will cover supplies for additional student experiences, including the Wonder Wagon STEM program for Pre-K students.
• The TLC teen mentoring at Irving High School covers costs associated with the online and in-person courses used in the program to enhance academic and life skills.
• HEB ISD in Tarrant County will purchase STEM hardware kits and resources for eighth- and ninth-grade students with its grant.
• Students in 35 campuses will benefit from the Grand Prairie ISD grant for its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program, using social-emotional learning techniques to teach positive behavioral skills.
• The Dallas County school district of Cedar Hill will launch the Essay to Algorithm program, which integrates writing and coding skills to teach students critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration.
• The Arlington ISD grant will allow the district to provide interactive, hands-on learning and medical patient simulation tools and resources to equip students with the emotional and interpersonal skills needed for work in the healthcare field.

“Through these grants, we are able to help students develop the necessary skills to have a brighter financial future,” said Washima Huq, executive director of the Texas Trust Gives Foundation. “Our grants are intended to enrich student learning so that they have a solid foundation for success as adults.”