The Foundation opens $500,000 grant opportunity to advance financial well-being for at-risk youth

The Foundation invests in credit unions working with and through their communities to improve financial well-being for at-risk youth

To close out Financial Capability Month, the National Credit Union Foundation is announcing the opening of its At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grant, making $500,000 in funding available to support credit unions expanding access, opportunity, and financial well-being for young people facing systemic barriers. 

For many at-risk youth experiencing housing instability, justice involvement, educational disruption, or other challenges, access to trusted financial guidance and safe financial products is limited or nonexistent. Barriers such as inconsistent guardianship, identification requirements, and mistrust of financial institutions can prevent young people from opening accounts, building credit, or developing foundational financial skills. Without early support, these gaps can lead to long-term financial vulnerability, including reliance on predatory services and ongoing financial exclusion. 

Applications are now open and will be accepted through June 26, 2026. Individual awards will generally be up to $25,000, with approximately 20 credit unions expected to receive funding. 

This year’s grant builds on the Foundation’s 2025 focus on foster youth, expanding eligibility to support a broader population of at-risk youth. The evolution reflects what credit unions have learned through prior programs and the opportunity to scale financial well-being solutions that address shared root causes of financial instability. 

“Credit unions are uniquely positioned to meet people where they are and walk alongside them on their financial well-being journey,” said Lauren Culp, Executive Director of the National Credit Union Foundation. “Through this grant, we’re investing in the partnerships, products, and programs that help young people build confidence, discover access, and establish long-term resilience by working with and through credit unions to bring our mission to life.” 

The At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grant supports credit unions of all asset sizes that demonstrate readiness to: 

• Deliver financial education tailored to real-life needs  

• Build trusted partnerships with schools, social service agencies, and community organizations  

• Expand access to financial products and services for youth with limited traditional support systems  

• Measure changes in financial knowledge, confidence, and resilience  

• Generate stories and insights that strengthen advocacy efforts  

For many credit unions, especially small credit unions, this funding provides a pathway to test new approaches, deepen community partnerships, and accelerate innovation in ways that may not otherwise be possible. 

The 2024 – 2025 grant cycle demonstrated the impact of this approach, supporting programs that reached more than 2,200 youth, created over 400 new savings accounts, and delivered dozens of financial education experiences across participating credit unions. 

One example is Colorado Credit Union, which used grant funding to build partnerships with local organizations to deliver sustained, community-driven financial well-being programming. That work is now expanding, demonstrating how credit unions can turn pilot programs into long-term strategies. 

Credit unions that participated in last year’s foster youth-focused grants are also encouraged to apply, using their learnings to expand and adapt programs to serve a broader population of at-risk youth. 

To support interested applicants, the Foundation will host an informational webinar covering application details, eligibility, and what makes a strong proposal on May 27. Additional resources and application materials are available at ncuf.coop. 

Beyond funding individual programs, the Foundation will work alongside grant recipients to capture insights, share lessons learned, and elevate impact stories to ensure credit unions across the country learn from one another and strengthen their collective approach to improving financial well-being.