Leaders in Financial Literacy
Leaders in Financial Literacy Awards for Credit Unions
The CrossState Credit Union Foundation has a history of promoting and supporting financial literacy initiatives. In 2025, we will again recognize and honor credit unions for excellence in the advancement of financial literacy, including our special category called Collaboration in Financial Literacy to encourage and celebrate credit union collaboration in serving our communities.
Award winners will be honored during the CrossState Credit Union Association’s Annual Convention, being held on May 20 to 22, 2025, at the Wind Creek Bethlehem in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Applications for the Awards are open. Apply by February 3, 2025 to be considered.
Eligibility Requirements
- Open to all credit unions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
- Entries should be made for projects initiated, conducted, or ongoing during the previous calendar year (2024)
- Only one entry per credit union will be accepted; a credit union can also be a part of a Collaboration category nomination. The Collaboration category is for collaboration with other credit unions and the community.
- Credit unions will be grouped by asset size and then each group will be judged; the Collaboration category will be judged separately
Examples of eligible projects, including the Collaboration category:
- In-school or after-school financial literacy programs
- Community-based financial literacy programs
- Workplace financial literacy programs
- Programs for the unbanked or underbanked
- First-time homebuyers programs
- Learning to budget programs
- Teaching how to use credit wisely
- Student-run branches
2024 Financial Literacy Award Winners
Cross Valley Federal Credit Union
Ranger Credit Union – Promoting Financial Wellness for High School Students
Cross Valley FCU created a student-led credit union branch that provides financial services and programs for students including private appointments and classroom programs with the credit union’s Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors. The Ranger student branch offers employment and shadowing opportunities and collaborates with the school’s coffee shop. In 2023, The Ranger Program reached over 200 students.
First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union
Raub Middle School Financial Wellness Program
First Commonwealth FCU made a three-year commitment to Raub Middle School to be used to provide financial education to 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade students and their families. The funding provides financial support for reading incentives like, “The Money Club,” financial education classes for parents, the school store, and student events.
Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union
Conducting Seminars, “Senior Financial Scams: How to Protect Yourself, Family and Friends.”
Jersey Shore FCU created a seminar series “Senior Financial Scams” and held them at senior apartments, senior living communities, assisted living, senior centers, and other senior organizations. In 2023, they reached over 410 people. Many employees of the senior housing units and centers also attended the seminars to learn how they can help protect those they care for and serve.
Mercer County Community Federal Credit Union
Junior Achievement BizTown Partnership
Mercer County Community FCU partnered with Junior Achievement of Western PA to sponsor the first group of students from Mercer County to participate in the BizTown comprehensive classroom and hands-on experience. The program involved 167 fifth graders from six classes.
Members 1st of New Jersey
Special Collaboration Award
Members 1st of New Jersey FCU leads a successful collaboration with four other credit unions in the South Jersey area to hold Financial Reality Fairs in their communities. The committed partners are Bay Atlantic FCU, Campbell FCU, Jersey Shore FCU and Thunderbolt Area FCU. In 2023, this collaboration reached 1,600 students.
2024 Leaders in Financial Literacy Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor — Members 1st FCU
Platinum Sponsors
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Gold Sponsors
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |