RALEIGH, N.C. — The foundations of State Employees Credit Union in North Carolina and Dupaco Credit Union in Iowa have, respectively, awarded more than $6.2 million to 55 nonprofit organizations supporting affordable housing, health care, food security, workforce development, entrepreneurship and other community needs.
The State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation approved nearly $6 million for 23 North Carolina nonprofits, while the Dupaco Foundation awarded $250,000 to 32 organizations across Iowa and Wisconsin, according to the respective credit unions.
SECU Foundation Awards Nearly $6 Million
The $60-Billion State Employees’ Credit Union said its latest foundation grants represent organizations in all eight of North Carolina’s economic development regions and will benefit communities in all 100 counties.
The awards bring the SECU Foundation’s total giving since 2004 to more than $352 million.
“Each of these non-profits is making a meaningful difference in their community, providing support for those who need it most,” SECU Foundation Board Chair Mona Moon said. “Whether it’s bringing quality, accessible healthcare to rural regions or helping families put nutritious food on the table, each organization is improving the quality of life for the people of our state.”
Moon credited SECU members, whose monthly contributions fund the foundation.
“We are grateful to SECU members whose generosity makes it possible for the Foundation to put dollars back into our communities through their monthly contributions,” she said.
The Largest Awards
Awards ranged from $40,000 to $2 million. The largest included:
- Habitat for Humanity Greater Raleigh: A $2 million interest-free loan for an affordable housing development in Garner through its Building Dreams Planting Seeds initiative.
- Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and Resourceful Communities: A combined $1 million to address rising food insecurity and expand statewide access to fresh, nutrient-dense food.
- Kintegra Health: $750,000 to support expansion of a Federally Qualified Health Center in Gastonia serving underinsured and uninsured North Carolinians across 17 counties.
- The Harvest Center of Charlotte: A $500,000 challenge grant to expand a supportive housing development offering stable interim housing and coordinated services intended to reduce reliance on emergency systems and help residents move into permanent housing.
- North Carolina Association of Free & Charitable Clinics: $500,000 for a pilot program designed to expand primary and preventive health care through new delivery models in rural areas.
- North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation: $500,000 for the Good Jobs Initiative, a pilot program connecting western North Carolina community college students with jobs paying family-sustaining wages as the region continues its recovery from Hurricane Helene.
Additional Support
Another 16 nonprofits received $40,000 each through the SECU Foundation’s Mission Development Grant program, which provides funding and other assistance to organizations seeking to expand programs and improve long-term sustainability.
Those recipients are Gates County Housing Committee; Pocosin Arts; Richmond County Rescue Mission; REACH of Haywood County; American Children’s Home; The Haven of Transylvania County; Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families; A Safe Place Empowerment Network; Hyde County Hotline Inc.; Building Hope Community Life Center; NC FIELD; Koinonia Community Solutions; Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries; Project Light Rowan; The Open Door Food Pantry of Perquimans County; and North Carolina Black Repertory Company.
SECU said its foundation accepts grant applications throughout the year and conducts formal reviews twice annually, in January and July. Funding is directed toward high-impact nonprofit projects reflecting the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People.”
Dupaco Foundation Awards $250,000
Separately, Dupaco Community Credit Union said its foundation awarded $250,000 to 32 nonprofit organizations in Iowa and Wisconsin through its 2026 Nonprofit Grant Program.
The grants focus on three areas:
- Affordable housing and homeownership.
- Upskilling and reskilling workers.
- Small-business development.
Dupaco said the investments are intended to expand access to economic opportunities, strengthen financial well-being and support communities throughout the region.
“Strong communities are built when people have the opportunity to secure stable housing, develop meaningful career skills and pursue their dreams of business ownership,” said Joe Hearn, Dupaco Foundation secretary and president and CEO of Dupaco Community Credit Union.
“The organizations receiving funding are creating pathways to economic mobility and long-term success for individuals and families throughout our region,” Hearn said. “We’re honored to invest alongside these nonprofits in solutions that create lasting community impact.”
The Recipients
Dupaco said the 2026 recipients were selected based on their ability to produce measurable results and address significant community needs, including expanding affordable homeownership, increasing workforce participation and helping entrepreneurs establish and grow businesses.
Among the recipients:
- Exceptional Persons Inc., Waterloo, Iowa: $10,000 to help people with disabilities develop job skills, overcome employment barriers and connect with local employers.
- Feed Iowa First, Cedar Rapids: $10,000 for its Equitable Land Access Program, which provides underserved and beginning farmers with access to land, business training and other resources.
- Homes for Iowa, Carroll: $10,000 to increase awareness of housing options designed to expand attainable homeownership while providing construction-related workforce training.
- Mindful Minutes, Dubuque: $10,000 for its Emerging Wellness Entrepreneur Scholarship Initiative, providing aspiring wellness professionals with training, mentorship and business-development assistance.
- Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development Inc., Madison: $5,000 to help low- and moderate-income households achieve sustainable homeownership through permanently affordable housing developed with a community land trust.
Other organizations receiving grants were:
- 6th Avenue Corridor, Des Moines, Iowa — $5,000.
- The Arc of East Central Iowa, Cedar Rapids — $10,000.
- Catherine McAuley Center, Cedar Rapids — $10,000.
- Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, Cedar Rapids — $10,000.
- Change Course, Des Moines — $5,000.
- Crescent Community Health Center, Dubuque — $5,000.
- Dubuque and Jackson County Habitat for Humanity, Dubuque — $20,000.
- Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council, Dubuque — $10,000.
- Dubuque Community YMCA Crisis Services Shelter, Dubuque — $5,000.
- Dubuque Rescue Mission, Dubuque — $10,000.
- Dubuque St. Vincent de Paul, Dubuque — $10,000.
- The Fountain of Youth Program, Dubuque — $5,000.
- Four Mounds Foundation – HEART Partnership, Dubuque — $10,000.
- Friends of St. Mary’s (Steeple Square), Dubuque — $5,000.
- Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Madison, Wisconsin — $5,000.
- Hope Community Development Association, Cedar Rapids — $5,000.
- House of Hope, Waterloo — $5,000.
- Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, Waterloo — $10,000.
- Moms Connect Dubuque, Dubuque — $10,000.
- The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative Inc., Cedar Rapids — $5,000.
- NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids — $5,000.
- Opening Doors, Dubuque — $10,000.
- Presentation Lantern Center, Dubuque — $5,000.
- REAP Food Group, Madison — $5,000.
- Riverview Center, Dubuque — $5,000.
- United Way of Dane County, Madison — $5,000.
- Willis Dady Homeless Services, Cedar Rapids — $10,000.
The Dupaco Foundation board considered applications from 128 nonprofit organizations designated as active 501(c)(3) public charities. Dupaco said proposals were evaluated based on alignment with the foundation’s priorities, demonstrated community need, potential for measurable results and overall impact, according to the credit union.
