Nineteen credit unions and two credit union organizations have been awarded a portion of more than $287,000 that the National Credit Union Foundation has set aside for financial education grants in 2012.

When making the announcement, the NCUF cited a national survey from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling which found that 34% of respondents, representing about 77 million people, would give themselves a grade of C, D or F in finance skills. 

An additional 78% said they would benefit from advice and answers to everyday financial questions, the NCUF said.

“The need for financial education is still critical in America,” said Tom Candell, the foundation's deputy executive director. “This is the second year in a row that NCUF is focusing exclusively on financial education in our grants, which will ultimately help more people achieve financial freedom.”

The projects funded ranged from producing financial literacy videos to run before films in local movie theaters to financial education programs aimed at Native Americans and still others aimed at consumers standing in check cashing lines.

The recipients are Carter FCU in Springhill, La.; First Financial CU in Gallup, N.M.; Self-Help FCU in Oakland, Calif.; Southern Chautauqua FCU in Lakewood, N.Y.; ABCO FCU, Rancocas, N.J.; Alaska USA FCU, Anchorage; Alternatives FCU, Ithaca, N.Y.; Arcadia FCU, Fort Kent, Maine; Ascentra CU, Bettendorf, Iowa; Central City CU, Marshfield, Wis.; Dakotaland FCU, Huron, S.D.

Also, Erie FCU, Erie, Pa.; National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, New York City; FinancialEdge Community CU, Bay City, Mich.; HEW FCU, Alexandria, Va.; Holy Rosary CU, Kansas City, Mo.; New York Credit Union Foundation, Albany, N.Y.; Travis CU, Vacaville Calif.; and Truliant FCU, Winston-Salem, N.C.