NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union has selected the first four Next Chapter Award winners in its Celebrate Your Story initiative, recognizing programs that promote financial education, support nonprofit organizations, provide winter clothing to children and expand access to affordable housing.
The recipients are People Driven Credit Union and Intandem Credit Union, both in Michigan; Bluestone Federal Credit Union in South Dakota; and Jordan Credit Union in Utah, according to stories shared by Alloya.
Alloya launched Celebrate Your Story as part of its 15th anniversary celebration, announcing the program at its Leadership Symposium in Nashville. The corporate credit union offered $10,000 each to the first 250 credit unions submitting a qualifying story, with one submission permitted per credit union. Alloya said it received 250 stories and plans to feature them over the coming year.
The Next Chapter Award recognizes stories illustrating the impact of cooperation on members and communities. According to Alloya, an award winner receives an additional $10,000 to support a charitable cause of its choice.
The Winners
People Driven Credit Union: Financial Education and Student Banking
People Driven Credit Union, founded in 1928, described efforts to help young people without family financial support establish accounts and build financial skills. In 2024, it secured a $75,000 Money Masters grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis and partnered with the Rhonda Walker Foundation to serve 34 students.
A second $75,000 grant in 2025 supported 30 participants through Neway Works Inc.
The credit union also obtained a $16,000 Money Masters+ grant and partnered with Friends of Foster Kids to reach 10 young people aging out of foster care. Overall, it reported providing financial literacy instruction to more than 100 participants, including 74 who received new accounts supported by a combined $166,000 in grant funding. The credit union contributed another $30,320 toward emergency savings and investment certificates of deposit.
People Driven said it plans to use Celebrate Your Story funding for account-opening incentives for children whose families cannot afford initial deposits and a student-run branch at Romeo High School. Students would design the branch, develop debit cards, monitor incentives and teach financial lessons, with paid after-school internships at the credit union’s Romeo branch.
Bluestone Federal Credit Union: Giving Nonprofits an Audience
Bluestone Federal Credit Union highlighted Cooperative Culture, a partnership with the Sioux Falls Stampede hockey club that gives 15 nonprofit organizations each season a dedicated game night to promote their missions. Participants receive arena space, promotional exposure, announcements, complimentary event tickets and a $250 contribution from Bluestone.
One participant, B-Squad Dog Rescue, reported a Dalmatian adoption following its appearance. Another, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, connected with Parrot Heads of the Prairie at a game; the relationship eventually produced $7,000 in donations, enough to build 28 beds for children, according to the submission.
The program served 45 nonprofits in its first three seasons. All 15 places for its fourth season were filled before the season began, putting it on track for 60 nonprofit game nights over four years. Bluestone said it is expanding participation across its 43-county, four-state field of membership, including rural areas.
Jordan Credit Union: Warm the Soles
Jordan Credit Union described Warm the Soles, its annual October-through-December campaign to provide new shoes to at-risk children for Christmas. Employees and members contribute to the effort, which raises approximately $25,000 annually, according to the credit union.
The program distributed 592 pairs of shoes in 2023, 625 in 2024 and 847 in 2025. Contributions also help provide coats and other winter necessities through partnerships with local school districts. Jordan said many employees contribute more than $100 personally.
Intandem Credit Union: Housing, Businesses and Volunteer Service
Intandem Credit Union, a Michigan institution with approximately $75 million in assets and 23 employees, highlighted community partnerships addressing housing affordability, food insecurity and economic opportunity.
Through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis’ Revive program, the credit union said it helped deliver more than $70,000 in grants for critical repairs to income-qualified homeowners. It also selected two locally owned businesses to receive $10,000 each through the Elevate program.
Under the Community Multiplier Program, Intandem is directing $18,750 to New Development Corporation for affordable housing, consisting of a $15,000 Federal Home Loan Bank grant and a $3,750 credit union match. The credit union reported more than $108,750 in community investment and grant funding delivered or committed in 2026.
Intandem employees also contributed more than 100 volunteer hours in 2026, working with Kent County Community Action, ICCF Community Homes and Home Repair Services on food assistance, housing preservation and financial education.
The full stories can be found here.
