Iowa Credit Union Foundation Benefit Night Raises More Than $98,000 for Mission-Aligned Programs and Resources

September 13, 2022

DES MOINES - In its 27^th year, the Iowa Credit Union Foundation (ICUF) serves as the hub for credit union philanthropy in Iowa. At this year’s annual ICUF Benefit Night Fundraiser, held Monday, August 29 at the Community Choice Convention Center in Des Moines, ICUF raised more than $98,000 in support of their work to champion financial well-being for all. This year marked a historic amount of dollars raised.

ICUF Benefit Night is held each year during the Iowa Credit Union Convention. The money raised supports ICUF’s mission-based work across the state of Iowa. This year’s event was attended by more than 300 credit union supporters from the credit union industry, as well as the business community.

“Thank you to those who attended Benefit Night and support the work of the Iowa Credit Union Foundation," said Ena Babic Barnes, ICUF Executive Director. “As our Foundation considers future investments and growing its impact, fundraising efforts such as Benefit Night allows us to discover the needs of Iowans and collectively make a difference through investments, collaboration, education and advocacy.”

During the event, Babic Barnes, together with Ann McMillian, ICUF Board Chair and Marian Holmes, ICUF Board Vice-Chair shared some of the foundation’s work from the past year and recognized the two 2022 ICUF Community Impact Award recipients. The Community Impact Award is presented to the individuals and organizations within the Iowa credit union movement who have demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility through volunteerism, advocacy and philanthropy in service toward community-based charitable causes.

This year’s award winners were Jeff Disterhoft, CEO of GreenState Credit Union and Jim Dean, CEO of Affinity Credit Union.

“Through dedicating countless hours championing charitable causes, giving a voice to those in need and fundraising thousands of dollars to support their community, these two leaders and their impact have made our state a better place and inspire all of us to keep living the “people helping people” philosophy,” said Ann McMillian, ICUF Board Chair.

The event also highlighted ICUF’s impact over the past year:

• The fourth year of ICUF’s People Helping People’ Financial Coach Program was held in 2022. The Program supports credit union employees in becoming member advocates to help members navigate difficult financial situations. More than 150 coaches have graduated from the program since its inception in 2019. Investment in extensive research aimed at understanding the financial well-being needs of marginalized Iowans has become a top priority for ICUF, in order to move the needle in addressing racial wealth gaps, affordable housing, access to financial services, and other financial inclusion needs in Iowa.
• ICUF has shown continued support of credit union members through the Warren A. Morrow Memorial Scholarship program, which awarded $23,000 in collegiate and secondary education scholarships earlier this year
• The “Be the Light” ICUF Golf Classic event, raised more than $48,000 used to fund a variety of scholarships, financial education programming and grants for Iowans and Iowa credit unions.

Founded in 1995 as the philanthropic arm of the ICUL, ICUF’s primary focus is the championing the financial well-being of Iowans through credit unions. Guided by the credit union philosophy of people helping people ICUF champions financial well-being for all through its various programs, grants and scholarships. For more information, visit www.IowaCreditUnionFoundation.org.