Announcing the 2024 Grant Recipients: Empowering Virginia's Credit Unions

Your League, in partnership with the Credit Unions Care Foundation of Virginia, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Vizo Financial Empowerment Grants. This year, thirteen outstanding Virginia-based credit unions will share $50,000 in grants dedicated to boosting financial literacy and empowerment across the Commonwealth.

This initiative is the first of a five-year program, supported by $1 million from Vizo Financial, designed to promote financial education, reduce reliance on predatory financial services, and strengthen community well-being.

2024’s Grant Recipients:

• 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union

• Baylands Family Credit Union

• Call Federal Credit Union

• Credit Union of Richmond

• DuPont Community Credit Union

• Freedom First Federal Credit Union

• Hampton Roads Educators Credit Union

• Henrico Federal Credit Union

• Newport News Municipal Employees Credit Union

• Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union

• Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union

• Topside Federal Credit Union

• Virginia Credit Union

The selection process focused on each credit union’s commitment to enhancing financial education, fostering wealth-building, improving creditworthiness, and increasing the overall financial well-being of individuals within their communities. The awarded projects align with the goals of financial empowerment and impactful community service.

Each grantee is committed to using the funds to advance their initiatives and will report on the outcomes and effectiveness of the funded projects, demonstrating the clear benefits to community financial health.

"We are excited to launch this significant initiative, which will unfold over the next four years," stated Karima Freeman, President/CEO of the Virginia Credit Union League. "Our heartfelt thanks go to Vizo Financial for providing the funding that makes these transformative grants possible. This commitment reflects our dedication to enhancing financial stability and literacy throughout Virginia."

“On behalf of Baylands Family Credit Union’s Board of Directors and Management, we thank the Credit Unions Care Foundation of Virginia and VIZO Financial Corporate Credit Union for this opportunity and support,” said Teresa Millis, President and CEO, of grant recipient Baylands Family Credit Union. “We are so grateful to them both and recognize the contributions by both organizations that strengthen our credit union community as a whole. In addition, we appreciate the Virginia Credit Union League that advocates so strongly for all credit unions in Virginia and gives its support and energy to helping credit unions thrive.  We couldn’t do what we do without you!”

As we look forward to the positive changes these projects will bring, your League remains committed to supporting our members and the broader community through initiatives that promote financial empowerment and literacy.