MADISON, Wis.—The National Credit Union Foundation said it is making $500,000 in grant funding available to support credit unions working to expand financial access and opportunity for at-risk youth, as it announced the opening of applications for its At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grant.
The Foundation said the initiative, launched to close out Financial Capability Month, is aimed at helping young people facing systemic barriers, including housing instability, justice involvement and educational disruption, gain access to financial guidance and products.
According to the Foundation, applications are open through June 26, with individual awards generally up to $25,000 and approximately 20 credit unions expected to receive funding.
‘Significant Obstacle’
The Foundation said many at-risk youths face significant obstacles to entering the financial system, including inconsistent guardianship, identification requirements and mistrust of financial institutions, which can limit their ability to open accounts, build credit and develop financial skills. Without early support, the organization said, those gaps can lead to long-term financial vulnerability and reliance on predatory services.
“This year’s grant builds on the Foundation’s 2025 focus on foster youth, expanding eligibility to support a broader population of at-risk youth,” the Foundation said, noting the shift reflects lessons learned from prior programs and an effort to scale solutions addressing underlying causes of financial instability.
‘Uniquely Positioned’
“Credit unions are uniquely positioned to meet people where they are and walk alongside them on their financial well-being journey,” said Lauren Culp, executive director of the National Credit Union Foundation. “Through this grant, we’re investing in the partnerships, products, and programs that help young people build confidence, discover access, and establish long-term resilience by working with and through credit unions to bring our mission to life.”
The Foundation said the grant program is open to credit unions of all asset sizes that demonstrate readiness to:
- Deliver financial education and solutions tailored to real-life needs
- Build partnerships with schools, social service agencies and community organizations
- Expand access to financial products and services for youth with limited support systems
- Measure improvements in financial knowledge, confidence and resilience
- Generate insights to support broader advocacy efforts
Particularly Impactful for Smaller CUs
The Foundation added the funding can be particularly impactful for smaller credit unions by enabling them to test new approaches, deepen community partnerships and accelerate innovation.
The organization pointed to results from the 2024–2025 grant cycle, which it said supported programs reaching more than 2,200 youth, creating more than 400 new savings accounts and delivering dozens of financial education experiences.
Example Cited
As an example, the Foundation highlighted Colorado Credit Union, which it said used grant funding to build partnerships with local organizations to deliver ongoing, community-based financial well-being programming that is now expanding.
The Foundation said credit unions that participated in last year’s foster youth-focused grants are encouraged to apply again, using prior experience to broaden their programs.
An informational webinar for prospective applicants is scheduled for May 27, the Foundation said, adding that it will provide details on eligibility and application requirements. Additional materials are available through the organization.
Beyond the grants themselves, the Foundation said it plans to work with recipients to capture insights, develop resources and share impact stories aimed at strengthening financial well-being efforts across the credit union system.
