Financial Wellness

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. Grants are available for Cornerstone chapters to help them achieve their goals and objectives.

Each chapter is eligible to apply annually for one (not both) 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 is February 27, 2026.

Applications will be reviewed by the Grants Committee March 11, 2026.

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The Cornerstone Foundation supports the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People," with a focus on financial wellness. The National Credit Union Foundation has identified 12 barriers to financial well-being, known as Development Issues. Community Development Grants are available to help credit unions address these issues, benefiting members and communities.

Applications received after December 4, 2026, will be considered for a 2027 grant, and reviewed in January.

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The Foundation's Grants Committee will review completed applications within 2-3 weeks. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Priority is given to proposals that:

• Demonstrate a clear community need
• Include an evaluation plan to measure impact
• Create opportunities and/or decrease disparities for historically marginalized or disinvested communities, people, or groups
  

Credit unions may apply individually or in conjunction with a partner to deliver the programming or events. Credit union partnerships examples:

• Non-profit, community service organizations
• Education-related organizations or schools
• Religious organizations (if the program or services are open to the community at large and/or credit union membership)
  

Additional eligible grant opportunities:

• Minority Targeted Development
• Financial Wellness
• Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) or Minority Depository Institution (MDI) assistance

Requirements

Grant requests must include:

• A full project budget (expenses and revenue with narrative for line items), amount requested from the Foundation, and how the remaining project revenue will be raised to fully fund the initiative. Sound financial management must be demonstrated by the applicant.
• Clearly stated goal of the funded project or event must address the documented community needs of the credit union and their members.
• If applicable: A letter of support from the partner organization, clearly stating the development needs to be addressed and how the organization will be an active partner.
• If applicable: Proof of the partner organization’s 501c3 tax-exempt status letter, program materials, and a recent annual report.
  

Grant amounts are up to $10,000, but full funding is not guaranteed. Grant funding will be issued per the Community Development Grant agreement. Funding is awarded based on need, level of impact, and dollars available. Approved grants must be implemented within 12 months.

Grant recipients must share their projects on social media and credit the Cornerstone Foundation. A final report, including testimonials and success stories, is due within two weeks of project completion.

The Cornerstone Foundation does not provide grant support for the following:

• General operating expenses – which includes, but not limited to the following: technology, digital banking, audits, policy reviews and assessments, equipment, payroll, furniture
• Capital campaigns or “bricks and mortar”
• Fraternal organizations
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
• Political entities, organizations, or activities
• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, gender, or national origin
• Sponsorships, golf tournaments and other fundraising events
• Marketing and promotional products
• Scholarships for credit unions’ community partners or to individuals
• Direct donations to credit unions supporting community nonprofits without a project component
  

For questions on eligible expenses, contact the Cornerstone Foundation staff.