At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grant
Putting new ideas into action to improve the financial well-being of at-risk youth.
The opportunity
The National Credit Union Foundation announced 24 credit unions selected to receive funding through its At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grant. The Foundation originally made $500,000 available for the grant cycle but, after receiving the largest response to a call for applications in the grant program’s history, added an additional $150,000, bringing total funding to $647,600 to support more credit unions in launching or expanding programs designed to serve the unique financial needs of young people in communities across the entire country.
Building on lessons learned from the Foundation’s Foster Youth Financial Literacy Grant, this expanded focus on at-risk youth allows credit unions greater flexibility to serve vulnerable young people in their communities while addressing shared root causes of financial instability. This funding opportunity is open to credit unions of any asset size that demonstrate readiness to serve at-risk youth through tailored financial education, trusted community partnerships, and accessible products and services.
“A young person’s financial well-being is the throughline that influences nearly every opportunity that follows, from education and employment to housing and long-term stability. What we saw in this grant cycle was extraordinary demand from credit unions eager to address those challenges in their communities. The Foundation turns that commitment into action by bringing together resources, innovations, and connections that accelerate and scale what works. More than the dollars granted, this is about changing the trajectory of millions of lives.”
Lauren Culp, Executive Director, National Credit Union Foundation
The Foundation’s grant recipients will put new ideas into action to improve the financial well-being of at-risk youth. The projects will allow participants to build real-world financial skills and confidence through experiences that may include saving toward meaningful goals, building credit, managing earned income, exploring entrepreneurship and establishing relationships with trusted financial institutions. Through strong community partnerships, grant recipients will meet young people where they are and create opportunities to turn financial education into action.
The At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grant seeks to equip credit unions to:
- Deliver financial education tailored to the unique needs of at-risk youth, including budgeting, credit, and banking basics
- Measure changes in financial knowledge, confidence, and resilience following program participation
- Forge partnerships with schools, social service agencies, juvenile justice programs, and community organizations to improve access and trust
- Create or adapt account products and services for youth who may lack traditional parental or guardian support
- Generate member stories and insights that strengthen advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels
As part of the application process, credit unions must submit a project plan that:
- Describes the target at-risk youth population and community need
- Outlines the proposed financial education approach and delivery method
- Identifies key community partners and their roles
- Provides a timeline for implementation
- Defines success metrics and anticipated outcomes
- The Foundation reserves the right to request additional information regarding an applicant’s insurance coverage, regulatory status, or financial condition as part of the review process
The Foundation will evaluate the impact of this grant using a combination of qualitative and quantitative measures, including:
- Full and appropriate use of grant funds
- Successful launch and execution of proposed programs
- Number of at-risk youth served
- Evidence of improved financial knowledge, confidence, or access to financial services
- Credit union commitment to sustaining or evolving programs beyond the grant period
- Member and community stories highlighting impact
Sharing the journey story
Grant recipients are expected to document their journey in planning, launching, and refining programs for at-risk youth. Reporting and storytelling requirements will be included in the grant agreement.
Applications will close in June and grantees will be selected and notified by August. The grant period will begin in September and work must be completed by September 30, 2027.
Application deadline: June 26, 2026
Notification of grant recipients: August 2026
Announcement of winners: September 2026
Grant period begins: September 30, 2026
Grant period ends: September 30, 2027
Final report due: September 30, 2027
Credit unions are building new partnerships, rethinking access, and creating pathways to financial well-being for young people who have historically been left out of the financial system. In some cases, it starts with a single idea. In others, it scales into long-term strategies that reshape how credit unions serve their communities. These stories show what’s possible when financial well-being is built for real life and what happens when credit unions are given the space to test, learn, and lead.
Questions
If you have questions while preparing your application, please contact Christine Hickey, Senior Manager, Financial Well-Being Programs & Grants.
Christine Hickey, CUDE
Disclosures
The Foundation will review applications based on alignment with grant objectives, feasibility, organizational readiness, and potential for impact. The Foundation may request clarification or additional information during the review process.
The Foundation reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications received.