National Credit Union Foundation: Experiential Learning Grants

The National Credit Union Foundation funds the efforts of credit unions and other non-profit organizations to help families and individuals build assets and achieve financial security. They do this by offering needed products and services, impactful wealth building strategies and progressive financial education programs. Experiential learning is the process of making meaning from a direct experience. Research has shown that most people learn best through experiential learning, or “learning by doing,” which is why the Foundation will support and champion organizational efforts to start new programs or enhance existing experiential learning programs.

The Foundation is particularly interested in funding start-up programs in states that do not currently offer experiential programs and clever innovations to improve the scale, reach and impact of existing programs. The following experiential learning programs are ones that the Foundation has had experience with and are favored:

• Reality Fairs – A hands-on financial literacy experience for high school students to learn some of the financial challenges they will face when they start life on their own.
• Retirement Fairs – In cooperation with CUNA Mutual Group, the “Route Your Retirement” program has been created, which assists credit union members and staff better prepare for retirement.
• Life Simulations – Also known as “Poverty Simulations”, this experience is designed to help credit union employees, volunteers, and leaders begin to understand what it might be like to live in a typical low-income family trying to survive from month the month.

Amount: Funded applications will be for $10,000 or more.

Eligibility: Credit unions and nonprofit organizations helping people build assets and financial security.

Link: https://www.ncuf.coop/how-we-help/grants/grants.cmsx

Note: The application window opens June 1.

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