The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions has extended the application deadline to July 1 for a pilot program that aims to cultivate future leaders of the credit union movement.

The Cooperative Finance Leaders for America will recruit, train and support 15 new and emerging professionals to be placed in leadership positions in credit unions dedicated to providing credit and safe banking services to low- and moderate-income communities, according to the federation.

Through a six-month paid fellowship, these new leaders will put their skills and passion for cooperative finance to work, the federation said. The CFLA intensive training program will include a two-week summer institute – one week in person and one week online – in August as well as ongoing support throughout the six-month fellowship.  

All fellowships are expected to begin in September 2013 and continue through February 2014.

Completed applications for both the fellows and the credit unions are due by July 1. A complete description of the CFLA program and link to the application forms can be found on the federation's website at www.cdcu.coop.  

For additional questions, contact Pamela Owens, vice president of programs, at 212-809-1850, ext. 215 or [email protected] or Jason Chang, program associate, at ext. 205 or [email protected].