Whether it's giving back, awarding scholarships, creating community, providing innovative solutions, or fostering financial literacy (and so much more), here's how Wisconsin's credit unions supported their members and communities in June!
Giving Back
Royal Credit Union’s Diaper Drive Makes a Meaningful Impact
Royal Credit Union (Royal) successfully hosted its second annual Diaper Drive throughout May, supporting Feed My People Food Bank, St. Croix Valley Food Bank, and the Diaper Bank of Minnesota. Through the generosity of community members and team members, Royal collected more than 10,000 diapers, 134 packages of wipes, and raised over $6,600 to assist families in need. This effort equates to approximately 860 families receiving short-term emergency diaper relief across the communities Royal serves. (Royal Credit Union, 6/4)
United Way Day of Caring 2026
Great Rivers United Way's Day of Caring will be held on Wednesday, July 15th. There will be projects from 9:00-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m. and volunteers will be accepted on a first come first serve basis. (Verve, a Credit Union, 6/16)
Fox Communities Credit Union announces $25,000 matching gift to support Fox Cares Foundation
Fox Communities Credit Union is helping extend the impact of Fox Cares Foundation by providing a $25,000 dollar-for-dollar matching gift, doubling donations made during the Foundation’s anniversary campaign that will run through August 9. (Fox Communities Credit Union, 6/25)
RCU Foundation Awards Major Gift to Support Day Resource Center in Eau Claire
The Royal Credit Union Foundation (RCU Foundation) has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council (WDEOC) to support the Day Resource Center, a project designed to provide daytime shelter, resources, and services at one easily accessible location for individuals experiencing homelessness in the Eau Claire community. (Royal Credit Union, 6/25)
Bike to the Beat charity event returns to Appleton this August
Returning for its 9th annual year, Fox Communities Credit Union will host Bike to the Beat on August 1, inviting riders of all ages to come together for a day of fresh air, community, live music, local food, and giving back to a number of charities throughout northeast Wisconsin. (Fox Communities Credit Union, 6/24)
CoVantage Cares Foundation to host 4th Annual Fore Our Communities Golf Outing
The CoVantage Cares Foundation, the charitable giving arm of CoVantage Credit Union, is hosting its 4th Annual Fore Our Communities Golf Outing on September 10, 2026, at Mid Vallee Golf Course in De Pere, Wisconsin. This annual charity golf outing brings together community members, business partners, and supporters for a day focused on fun, connection, and giving back. (CoVantage Credit Union, 6/24)
Day Resource Center nears campaign goal following $100k RCU Foundation gift
A recent donation led the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council (WDEOC) to say they are closing in on their goal for the One Better Way Capital Campaign. Last week, Royal Credit Union (RCU) Foundation met with members of the Day Resource Center at 1 Better Way in Eau Claire to donate $100,000. (Royal Credit Union, 6/28)
Fox Communities Credit Union Celebrates 10 Years of Giving With Donation Match
A local bank will be doubling any donations to its charitable foundation for the next month. As a part of the Fox Cares Foundation anniversary campaign, Fox Communities Credit Union will be matching any gifts given to the foundation until they reach $25,000 or until the event comes to an end on August 9th. This is for the Foundation’s 10-year anniversary, during which time, the Fox Cares Foundation has given more than $850,000 to non-profit programs across eastern Wisconsin and supported over 30 nonprofit organizations. (Fox Communities Credit Union, 6/26)
Royal Credit Union donates $100k to Western Dairyland
The Royal Credit Union Foundation is taking a major step towards ending homelessness in our area. The foundation is donating one hundred thousand dollars to the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council (WDEOC). The money will go towards housing and family service programs for people experiencing homelessness. (Royal Credit Union, 6/25)
Creating Community
Superior Choice Credit Union hosting 3rd annual block party
Superior Choice Credit Union is hosting its 3rd annual block party on Thursday, June 18 Everyone is welcome to the family-friendly event. It will take place in the parking lot at SSCU's Tower Avenue location. Festivities include face painting and a petting zoo for the kids. There will be food trucks, live music, and the Minnesota Monsters on hand to connect with the community and sign autographs. (Superior Choice Credit Union, 6/17)
Supporting Financial Literacy
Credit unions step up to protect older members during Elder Abuse Awareness Month
At the center of this year’s effort is a new Elder Exploitation Prevention Toolkit, developed by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues and underwritten cooperatively by the state credit union leagues, so the materials reach credit unions free of charge. The aim, said Brad Miller, president of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, is to make it easy for institutions of any size “to educate members, equip staff, and inform their community.” Combating financial abuse of older adults, he noted, ranks among credit unions’ highest priorities. (Verve, a Credit Union, 6/4)
Fostering Excellence
UnitedOne CEO Kim Rooney reflects on her legacy as retirement nears
As Kim Rooney prepares to retire as CEO of UnitedOne Credit Union, she says her goals since Day One have been communication and education. “I enjoy people and learning about people,” she told the Herald Times Reporter. “For me, it always came down to educating and helping people.” Rooney has served as UnitedOne’s CEO since 2009 and will step down on June 26. (UnitedOne Credit Union, 6/5)
National Credit Union Foundation Names 52 New Development Educators For 2026
The National Credit Union Foundation has named 52 leaders from across the United States as the next Credit Union Development Educators of 2026. The group earned their designation after completing the Foundation’s signature Credit Union Development EducationTM (DE) program on June 5. (Royal Credit Union, Altra Federal Credit Union, Summit Credit Union, Educators Credit Union, Sentry Credit Union, UW Credit Union, 6/8)
Kaudy Takes Helm As CoVantage CEO
Matt Kaudy has assumed the role of president and CEO of CoVantage Credit Union, succeeding retiring CEO Charlie Zanayed and becoming only the fourth CEO in the credit union’s 73-year history. CoVantage said Kaudy’s appointment follows a two-year succession process led by its board of directors. Zanayed served as president and CEO for 13 years. (CoVantage Credit Union, 6/12)
Brewery Credit Union Announces June 30 Grand Opening of Midtown Center Branch
Brewery Credit Union, the "Best Place to Borrow and Save" in the Milwaukee area, will celebrate its new location near Midtown Center June 30 with a grand opening for its members and the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Brewery Credit Union, 6/15)
Forbes 2026 America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions
Credit unions have long been known—and valued—for their personalized service, low fees, member ownership model and nonprofit status. Forbes has produced the 2026 ranking of America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions. (Summit Credit Union, CoVantage Credit Union, Royal Credit Union, Educators Credit Union, Altra Federal Credit Union, UW Credit Union, Guardian Credit Union, Marine Credit Union, 6/17)
Community Shares of Wisconsin: 2026 Community Change-Maker Awards
On September 17, Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) will honor local leaders and organizations who are advancing social and environmental justice in our community. At a time when many organizations are shying away from diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social justice issues, Community Shares of Wisconsin and its 81 member nonprofits are proud to honor leaders who champion these causes and continue to do what is right. The annual Community Change-Maker Awards event is presented by UW Credit Union and will take place at The East Side Club in Madison. (UW Credit Union, 6/22)
Landmark Credit Union opens new Madison branch as part of expansion
Landmark Credit Union is expanding its Madison footprint with the opening of a new branch on Monroe Street. The branch is part of Landmark’s strategic growth plan, which includes opening four additional locations by the end of 2027. Those branches are planned for Sun Prairie, Middleton, Waunakee and East Washington Avenue in Madison. (Landmark Credit Union, 6/29)
Awarding Scholarships
Green Lake seniors receive nearly $1M in scholarships
Green Lake School honored the class of 2026 during its annual Senior Scholarship and Awards Night Wednesday, May 20. Area service groups, businesses and other community organizations provided $954,052 in scholarships to students as part of the celebration, while Green Lake School provided awards, many of which came with medallions, tassels or sashes to wear during graduation. ("Golden Rule" Community Credit Union, 6/6)
Supporting education through scholarship programs
Post-high school education can be a critical tool for lifetime success, but also an expensive one. Working to meet a wide range of community needs, credit unions are a resource in pursuing education, as detailed by a recent America’s Credit Unions Blog post. Credit unions like Desert Financial award scholarships through their foundation ($212,000 to 66 students this year, totaling nearly $2 million awarded since 2017), while many others use scholarship opportunities to build financial literacy, connect with the community, and more. (UnitedOne Credit Union, 6/8)
WESTconsin Credit Union Awards Scholarships to Local Graduates
WESTconsin Credit Union is committed to providing financial assistance to students in their membership area. This year, $500 scholarships were awarded to 29 area high school seniors as part of the WESTconsin Scholarship Program. Scholarship recipients were selected based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement, school and community involvement, career aspirations, and personal goals. Each award is a recognition of their hard work and a step forward in their pursuit of higher education. (WESTconsin Credit Union, 6/28)