ALEXANDRIA, Va.–NCUA has announced the availability of funding for low-income-designated (LID) credit unions through the Community Development Revolving Loan Fund (CDRLF).
This year, the agency said it has made changes to the grant program to provide LID credit unions with additional options when they apply for Community Development Revolving Loan Fund grants in 2025.
2025 CDRLF Grant Round
According to NCUA, it expects to award approximately $3.465 million in CDRLF funds to anywhere between 85 to 115 LID credit unions. In 2024, the average CDRLF grant award was $26,000.
The grant application period opens on Oct. 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. E.T., and will close on Dec. 16, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. E.T. Detailed information is available in the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted in the Federal Register, NCUA said.
Changes to Application Process
In 2025, the NCUA said it is making changes to the CDLRF process to further serve LID credit unions.
“Although LID credit unions may only be awarded one award, they may apply for awards in two separate initiatives,” the agency said. “If a LID credit union applies for a grant but is not awarded the grant, the LID credit union may elect to convert the grant application into a CDRLF loan application.”
Grants Available in Five Initiatives and One Pilot Initiative
Grants will be awarded in six categories, NCUA said, including:
- Impact Through Innovation Pilot Initiative (maximum award of $100,000)—Providing Phase III funding for credit unions that received grants in 2023.
- New Charter Capacity Building (maximum award of $50,000)—Assisting newly chartered credit unions to increase capacity and better serve members.
- Underserved Outreach (maximum award of $50,000)—Helping credit unions expand access to underserved communities and improve members’ financial well-being.
- Student Internships (maximum award of $25,000)—Enhancing credit unions’ ability to offer internships to high school and college students to gain experience working in a credit union.
- Technology, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence (maximum award of $25,000)—Giving credit unions greater access to affordable digital financial products and to implement artificial intelligence services.
- Training (maximum award of $25,000)—Funding activities such as succession planning, leadership development, and consumer financial protection training.
Credit Unions Should Check Eligibility
To be eligible, NCUA reminded that a credit union must:
- Have the low-income designation to apply.
- Must have an active registration with the System for Award Management. Credit unions with an existing registration must recertify and maintain active status annually. There is no charge for this registration or recertification. SAM.gov users can register or recertify by following the instructions on the website.
Additional Info
Grant application guidelines and frequently asked questions posted on the NCUA’s Grants page. Interested credit unions also may contact the NCUA’s Office of Credit Union Resources and Expansion with any questions by emailing to [email protected].
