The National Credit Union Foundation announced it launched anew, free, online toolkit Monday that provides credit unions withinformation and resources on how to start and operate their ownphilanthropic foundation as well as other charitable and outreachactivities.

The 23-page Credit Union Philanthropy & Foundation toolkitexplores how credit unions are engaging in philanthropy, theresources available to credit unions, trends in starting creditunion foundations and examples of different credit unions'philanthropic endeavors.

It also provides background on the philanthropic role and workof the Foundation and state credit union foundations, which creditunions can leverage in their own communities.

“More than ever, credit unions are expanding their charitableendeavors,” Foundation Executive Director Gigi Hyland wrote in thetoolkit. “From food drives to breast cancer walks, credit unionsare significantly involved in charitable works around the country.We at the Foundation hope this toolkit helps you improve thefinancial lives of your members and those in your communitiesthrough impactful philanthropy.”

The Foundation conservatively estimated there are 53 credit union foundations operating today across the nation.Because the Foundation and state credit union foundations regularlyreceive inquiries from credit unions about how to start afoundation, the number of cooperative foundations is expected togrow annually.

The toolkit, authored by Hyland, is available to credit unionsfree of charge at ncuf.coop.