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 deadline for 2023 has passed. Please check back later for information regarding deadlines for 2024.

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 a request for one or more training or educational events. Various individuals from the credit union may attend different events. The Professional Development Grant assists with registration fees, lodging, and travel necessary to attend one or more of the approved events on the training calendar. The credit union is awarded one grant to cover expenses for the submitted training calendar. The credit union may prioritize how funds are spent, but only on training opportunities submitted with the original grant application.

Funding is awarded based on financial need and the dollars available. Partial grants may be awarded. These grants must be used in the calendar year they are awarded. Upon receipt of expenses and required grant impact report, grant funds will be issued to the credit union as reimbursement. Acknowledgement of grant to full credit union staff and board in addition to public recognition on credit union’s social media is recommended as part of grant guidelines. However, it is not required for reimbursement of the grant. 

What's Not Covered

The Cornerstone Foundation DOES NOT offer grants for the following training or activities:

• meals/dining
• alcohol or entertainment expenses
• higher education purposes such as university, college, or trade school
• any political engagement such as state and national GAC or congressional caucus, or travel outside the continental US

The Southwest CUNA Management School (SCMS) scholarships and the application process are separate from the Professional Development Grant or Scholarships (see below).  All credit unions are eligible for SCMS Scholarships 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.

Apply Now

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.

All Professional Development Scholarships must be used in the calendar year they are approved. Upon receipt of expenses and required grant impact report, grant funds will be issued to the credit union as reimbursement.

What's Not Covered

The Cornerstone Foundation DOES NOT offer grants for the following training or activities:

• meals/dining
• alcohol or entertainment expenses
• higher education purposes such as university, college, or trade school
• any political engagement such as state and national GAC or congressional caucus
• Travel outside the continental US (apart from the Richard L. Ensweiler International Credit Union Development Educator Scholarship)

The Southwest CUNA Management School (SCMS) scholarships and the application process are separate from the Professional Development Grant or Scholarships (see below). All credit unions are eligible for SCMS Scholarships 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 the number of individuals attending school from each credit union. Multiple individuals from the same credit union are eligible to apply for assistance.

Deadlines

SCMS Scholarship application deadline has passed. Please check back later for more information regarding deadlines for 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

Professional Development Grant application deadline for 2023 has passed. Please check back later for information regarding deadlines for 2024.

Community Development Grant applications are accepted year-round.

Apply Now

Funding is awarded based on financial need and availability of funds. A chapter annual budget and a project budget are required. Partial grants may be awarded. Grants must be used in the calendar year they are awarded. Upon receipt of expenses and required grant impact report, grant funds will be issued to the credit union as reimbursement. Chapters will be required to notify all credit union CEO’s in the chapter of the grant award.