TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–LEVERAGE, the wholly-owned holding company of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates, which represents CUs in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Virginia, said it is providing $500,000 in donations, in addition to $100,000 previously donated to the Credit Union Impact Foundation, to “fund strategic priorities aimed at advancing the operating environment for credit unions.

According to LEVERAGE, the combined total of $600,000 will support initiatives that “enhance advocacy, disaster resilience, and political engagement for credit unions across the region.”

LEVERAGE said its five-year total of such donations is now $3.672 million.

‘Principles of Collaboration’ 

“Credit unions are built on the principles of collaboration and community impact, and this value transfer reflects those principles in action,” Olabode “Ola” Anise, chair of the LEVERAGE board, chair-Elect of The League Board, chair-elect of the Credit Union Impact Foundation board, and president and CEO of Azalea City CU, said in a statement. “We are dedicated to supporting the sustainability of individual credit unions and strengthening the entire ecosystem, ensuring our collective voice is heard and our communities are supported in times of need.”

Added Richard J. “Rick” Skaggs, chair of The League board, vice chair of the LEVERAGE board, chair of the CU Impact Foundation board, and president and CEO of USF FCU, in a statement, “Supporting initiatives like The League’s Advocacy Fund, state PACs, and disaster resilience ensures that credit unions can continue to advocate effectively and provide critical support to members and communities during times of need. These investments strengthen the foundation of our industry, helping credit unions navigate challenges, drive positive change, and deliver lasting value to those they serve.”

What’s Included

According to LEVERGE, the value transfer includes:

• $350,000 allocated to The Advocacy Fund, which helps elect credit union-friendly candidates at the federal and state levels in our four-state footprint and supports various advocacy initiatives. The funding also supports the D.C. Credit Union House modernization project, which aims to preserve the rich history of the credit union movement in Washington, D.C. and also provide a place for credit unions to meet and advocate with policymakers, the organization said.
• $150,000 to support The League’s four state Political Action Committees (PACs).
• $100,000 allocated to the Credit Union Impact Foundation, to support the disaster resilience fund, a fund designed to assist credit unions impacted by natural disasters. 

‘Long-Term Success’

“LEVERAGE is proud to support the long-term success of our credit union community through this value transfer,” Steve Willis, president of LEVERAGE, said in a statement. “These contributions reflect our dedication to fostering an environment where credit unions feel supported—whether through advocacy, political engagement, professional development funding, or recovery after natural disasters.”

 Added The League President Samantha A.M. Beeler, “This value transfer is a testament to our combined team’s commitment to strengthening the credit union movement and supporting our members through our unique structure. By investing in Advocacy and Foundation efforts, we are not only supporting our credit unions at the state and federal levels, but we are also supporting them in their communities. We appreciate the generosity of our for-profit partners who are focused on fueling the mission and advancing the cause of member credit unions.”