2025 CU Times Luminaries Finalists: Credit Union Community Impact

Community Impact – Credit Union ($4B & Up)

Nusenda Credit Union – Albuquerque, N.M.
Nusenda’s standout Microloan Program is a model of inclusive, relationship-based lending for those who lack traditional financial access. Backed by a culture recognized nationally as a Top Workplace, Nusenda blends purpose, partnership, and innovation to empower communities. Their people-first mission is all part of what they call “The Power of WE”, and it drives everything they do.

PenFed Credit Union – Tysons, Va.
PenFed’s culture of giving extends far beyond financial contributions. PenFed employees regularly volunteer their time with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, helping to build and repair homes. They participate in food drives and support local food banks throughout our branch network. Collectively, PenFed employees contribute thousands of volunteer hours annually—demonstrating that service is not just a value we talk about, but one we live every day.

TDECU – Lake Jackson, Texas
The TDECU Cares Foundation is dedicated to providing everyday support to its community, and its volunteers also respond to emergencies. During the year, the foundation offered emergency services to 5,707 community members. In July 2024, volunteers assisted 2,136 Hurricane Beryl survivors by distributing 1,520 bags of ice and 2,352 cases of water. Through scalable programs, strategic partnerships, and a deeply embedded culture of service, TDECU sets a social responsibility standard in the credit union movement.

VyStar Credit Union – Jacksonville, Fla.
VyStar’s innovative programs—like the VyStar Savings Challenge, which helped over 31,000 participants save $5.17 million, and the launch of Foster Friendly Branches for youth aging out of care—address real community needs with dignity and inclusion. Its Financial Fitness Reality Fairs, and VyStar Academy of Business High School Branch program have empowered thousands of students, small business owners, and underserved individuals with financial tools for long-term success.

Gesa Credit Union – Richland, Wash.
Gesa Credit Union is redefining what it means to be a community-first financial institution. Rather than treating community impact as an annual campaign or donation line item, Gesa has ingrained it into all of its operations and decision-making, including the member experience. One way that comes to life is through the Affinity Debit Card Program. With more than 65 card partners to choose from and a recent expansion that ensures every card gives back, members become active participants in driving positive impact for local schools, heroes, community organizations and more.

ORNL Federal Credit Union – Oak Ridge, Tenn.
ORNL Federal Credit Union stands out as a leader in community impact through bold, heartfelt initiatives that have tangibly improved the lives of individuals and families across East Tennessee. Among its most powerful efforts this past year was the Auto Title Giveaway, in which the credit union paid off 10 auto loans and provided one year of mortgage payments for two additional members.

Service Credit Union – Portsmouth, N.H.
In just 12 months, Service Credit Union delivered more than 160 educational programs to 3,500+ individuals across the U.S. and Europe. With special focus on military communities, youth, and underserved populations, its programs spanned budgeting, credit, debt management, and real-world financial decision-making.

Ent Credit Union – Colorado Springs, Colo.
Co-branded with the Denver Broncos, Adventures in Reality and Enterceptions links football with philanthropy. These programs are part of a broader strategy that includes thousands of employee volunteer hours, nonprofit partnerships, and employee-led grant making. From classrooms to stadiums, Ent is demonstrating how credit unions can use creative collaboration to spark financial empowerment, inclusion, and long-term impact.

Suncoast Credit Union – Tampa, Fla.
In 2024 by partnering with or supporting 712 community and youth-oriented sponsorships, events, programs and initiatives, Suncoast successfully influenced the lives of individuals with valuable experiences, financial education and information to carry forward as they continue their journeys toward financial health and wellness. Through the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, and its special focus on education and improving the lives of children, 23,868 students were impacted through grants, financial education programs and college scholarships.

Technology Credit Union – San Jose, Calif.
In 2024, Tech CU demonstrated what it means to be a true community partner, investing nearly $300,000 in initiatives focused on Technology Access, STEAM Education, Financial Empowerment, and health and wellness. Through strategic giving and hands-on employee engagement, Tech CU tackled some of the most pressing challenges facing its communities. Notable efforts included providing Chromebooks to underserved families through the YWCA, expanding digital literacy classes for seniors, and funding art-integrated education that reached over 1,700 public schools students.

Community Impact – Credit Union ($1B-$4B)

Park Community Credit Union – Louisville, Ky.
As the largest CDFI credit union in Kentucky, Park Community Credit Union is redefining what it means to serve with purpose. Park’s commitment to embedding financial empowerment into community infrastructure is evident across programs that tackle barriers to opportunity, including mobility, housing, and financial education. In 2024, Park originated $1.1 million in vehicle loans through its Cars to Work program, helping 119 borrowers across 35 counties access safe and reliable transportation.

Valley First Credit Union – Modesto, Calif.
Valley First has dedicated bi-lingual Financial Counselors and Educators who work to support the financial health needs of each community. Valley First's executive team is comprised of mission-focused individuals with over 185 years of experience looking to make a difference in the communities they serve. Strategically, they are focused on extending fair and safe financial products to consumers and small businesses.

USF Credit Union – Tampa, Fla.
USF Credit Union’s approach to community impact goes beyond outreach, it reflects a deep-rooted commitment to financial wellness as a catalyst for long-term empowerment. In 2025, USF CU launched the RISE Up Room, an in-house emergency resource center supporting employees facing unexpected hardship. This people-first initiative reinforces the belief that when employees are financially well, they can better serve and uplift the communities around them.

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union – Chadds Ford, Pa.
In 2024, FMFCU launched the Mobile Bear Country Credit Union Van, a one-of-a-kind educational vehicle that visited 40 schools and community organizations—many in underserved areas—bringing interactive, no-cost financial literacy lessons to thousands of students. The program, built around the book The Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union, which FMFCU commissioned, uses engaging storytelling and props to introduce key money concepts like Save, Share, Spend, and Earn.

Notre Dame Federal Credit Union – Notre Dame, Ind.
Notre Dame FCU promotes its mission of enriching lives and empowering individuals. The credit union’s commitment to education is unmatched, including financial literacy workshops that reached local high school students and scholarships totaling $37,500. Their signature ELEVATE program alone contributed $407,447 in 2024 to parishes, schools, and nonprofit organizations.

AmeriCU Credit Union – Rome, N.Y.
Their financial wellness programs have empowered diverse groups, from students to military personnel, with essential financial knowledge. AmeriCU's significant financial contributions have supported local organizations, enhancing education, healthcare, and community development. These investments have led to improved services and resources, benefiting numerous individuals and families. Strategic partnerships, such as with Rome Health, have advanced healthcare services, ensuring better patient outcomes.

Community Choice Credit Union – Farmington Hills, Mich.
Community Choice Credit Union is redefining the role of a financial institution in society. Through the Community Choice Foundation, it has crafted a robust, replicable model of community engagement—integrating financial empowerment, education, and volunteerism. This past year, the credit union contributed over 13,000 volunteer hours, awarded 26 scholarships, and distributed over 3,200 backpacks to students across Michigan.

Georgia United Credit Union – Duluth, Ga.
With an extraordinary 43-years of service at GUCU, Kim Wall has been the heart behind the organization’s most impactful community initiatives. Her leadership has been a driving force of the School Crashers program to complete 81 school improvement projects valued at over $3 million to transform learning environments for more than 51,000 students and nearly 6,000 educators across Georgia. Kim has also led the recognition and distribution of over 415 scholarships totaling more than $700,000 to open doors to higher education and professional growth for students and educators.

Magnifi Financial – Melrose, Minn.
In 2024, Magnifi Financial focused its community efforts on what matters most: access to food, housing, and clothing. Through their 3 Essentials Giving Program, they connected everyday financial decisions to real-world impact — donating 100 pounds of food for every auto loan, a night of shelter for every home loan, and clothing for every new checking account. Together with their members, they provided 179,800 pounds of food, 846 nights of shelter, and 5,134 clothing items to those in need.

SELCO Community Credit Union – Springfield, Ore.
SELCO Steps Up has delivered targeted support to dozens of nonprofits, funded classroom projects that touch thousands of students across Oregon, and launched innovative programs that include regional classroom makeovers. In addition, a statewide team of SELCO Ambassadors is driving local engagement and turning SELCO’s philanthropic strategy into grassroots action. Early outcomes include a 54% year-over-year increase in volunteer hours and a record-breaking number of scholarship applications in both 2024 and 2025.

Community Impact – Credit Union ($1B & Below)

Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union – Childersburg, Ala.
Service to others is not only a priority but also a cornerstone of Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union. That is why CPFCU donates a great deal of time and funds each year to local schools, civic groups, and organizations with boots on the ground in the neighborhoods it serves. Since the number of children living in poverty in the communities it serves far exceeds the national average, and they’ve made it their mission to focus on the youth, the next generation, not only through charitable giving, but with financial literacy, support of academic and athletic programs, scholarships for continuing education, and an internship program.

Canopy Credit Union – Spokane, Wash.
In 2024, Canopy’s certified financial coaches conducted 582 coaching sessions, up from just 201 the previous year. The population served by Canopy primarily lives in areas with poverty rates of 12% or higher, making the impact of these coaching sessions even greater. Members who completed at least two sessions saw their credit scores increase by an average of 62 points, opening the door to life-changing opportunities, such as affordable loans and homeownership.

Allegiance Federal Credit Union – Oklahoma City, Okla.
Allegiance Credit Union (ACU) demonstrated bold leadership in addressing financial inequities in Oklahoma City’s Hispanic community—one of the region’s fastest-growing and most underbanked populations. After a deep self-assessment, ACU recognized a gap in its service and took action by forming a grassroots partnership with Scissortail Community Development Corporation in 2021. This multi-year collaboration involved direct engagement with Hispanic community leaders to understand barriers to financial access and co-create solutions.

FedChoice Federal Credit Union – Lanham, Md.
FedChoice Federal Credit Union, through its FedChoice Charitable Foundation, offers programs which uplift teachers, provide scholarships for students pursuing higher education (including trade schools), and supports the local school system with essential resources. They prioritize impact, focusing on Title I schools that need our help the most. Their efforts range from delivering financial literacy for children to undertaking drives and completing donation efforts specifically for funding and donations for uniforms and basic care necessities. They partner with schools from elementary through high school to reach as many students as possible.

Michigan Legacy Credit Union – Wyandotte, Mich.
Through Michigan Legacy Credit Union’s collaboration and specialized training provided by the Institute of Gerontology, its staff is better equipped to identify and prevent exploitation and fraud, especially targeting older adults. MLCU has seen the statistics play out with its members, showing that older individuals are more frequently affected by financial fraud. From imposters to personal care attendants urging ailing adults to withdraw large sums of money to romantic liaisons where money is the main attraction, the MLCU team is on heightened alert and trained to use every resource it has to help prevent such fraud.

Acclaim Federal Credit Union – Greensboro, N.C.
In 2024, Acclaim focused on senior citizens, delivering meals, hosting social events, and educating on fraud prevention. The initiative achieved 100% staff participation and a 162% increase in volunteer hours. In 2025, the credit union turned its attention to domestic violence awareness, donating over $2,000 in clothing vouchers, offering monthly financial counseling, and raising funds for Camp HOPE, a healing program for children.

MY CREDIT UNION – Bloomington, Minn.
There are approximately 320,000 living veterans in Minnesota currently and approximately 300,000 buried in Minnesota as well. MY CREDIT UNION's quantitative goal for its veteran initiative is to have a positive impact on as many of the living veterans, deceased veterans and their families each year as it possibly can.

Monroe Community Credit Union – Monroe, Mich.
MCCU’s Budget Bootcamp program delivered hands-on financial literacy education to over 500 high school students across four schools, helping prepare them for real-life financial decisions. Additionally, MCCU partnered with six nonprofits to deliver financial counseling to over 100 adults and seniors, covering topics like credit-building and scam prevention. To expand this reach, MCCU is doubling its team of certified financial counselors from 13 to 26 by August 2025.

Heritage South Credit Union – Sylacauga, Ala.
In 2024, the credit union launched All Things Considered, an original, award-winning theatrical production designed to educate senior citizens about financial scams. Using storytelling and relatable scenarios, the play delivers critical fraud-prevention messages in an engaging and memorable way. Each attendee also receives an interactive workbook that reinforces key lessons and serves as a lasting reference tool. The play has garnered widespread acclaim, with senior centers, assisted living facilities, and local organizations requesting performances across the region.

Ellafi Federal Credit Union – Middletown, Conn.
Guided by deep listening, member feedback, and a desire to close the gender wealth gap, Ellafi reimagined every aspect of its institution—from name and brand to products, partnerships, and financial education. The credit union launched new tools to improve budgeting skills, plan for retirement, and take control of their financial futures. Early initiatives have focused on more inclusive underwriting, new account options for those starting fresh, and building strong partnerships with organizations that serve women, caregivers, and entrepreneurs.