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About our Policy Membership
Credit unions that serve predominantly low-income communities -- whether "low-income-designated" by NCUA or not -- are eligible to join as policy members. These credit unions have full access to all Federation capital products, technical and educational services, and more, as well as voting rights to determine Federation policies.
The Federation's policy members number more than 230 credit unions in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Our membership has doubled over the last decade. Our membership includes credit unions of every size and description - urban, rural and reservation-based, faith-based and community-wide, some with a few hundred thousand dollars in assets, others with hundreds of millions.
Only the Federation provides a full range of resources to help you serve your low- and moderate-income membership. We're community development specialists. Capital, expertise, innovative programs, and a national voice for your issues -- the Federation offers all this and more!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For answers to the most common questions regarding membership, please click here.
Special Dues Discount for 2011-12!
We have negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with our colleague organization, the Opportunity Finance Newtowrk (OFN), through which CDCUs who are members of both the Federation and OFN ere eligible for discounts on membership.
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15% discount on Federation membership fees to CDCUs who are members of BOTH organizations.
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15% discount on OFN Membership for CDCUs who are members of BOTH organizations.
This discount is retroactive to this member year. So, if you belong to both organizations already, you are eligible for a 15% rebate from the Federation.
Please contact Federation Diretor of Membership Pablo DeFilippi at pablo@cdcu.coop or (800)437-8711 x304 to coordinate your dues rebate.
Benefits of Policy Membership
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Community Development Investments (Formerly our Capitalization Program). Are you looking for money to help your credit union grow? The Federation has invested more than $90 million in CDCUs since the program began. Product offerings include nominee deposits, secondary capital, Predatory Relief & Intervention Deposits (PRIDEs), Individual Development Account (IDA) matching funds, and much more.
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BALANCE. Thanks to the support of some of the largest credit unions in the country, many of the Federation’s Policy Members under $25 million in assets will be able to enjoy the services of BALANCE, a highly-regarded financial counseling and education service at no cost, and at a significant discounts for members above $25 million in assets.
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Technical Assistance. Do you need help with a "net worth restoration plan?" A field-of-membership expansion? NCUA regulations or examination procedures? The Small Business Administration, the CDFI Fund, or other federal programs? We can help you get the job done.
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Education and Training. Are you looking for a way to develop your management skills? We offer the only professional development program specifically designed for the staff and board members of community development credit unions -- our CDCU Institute™. We also conduct special training workshops around the country.
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Innovative Programs. Are you searching for ways to market to key segments of your membership? We're the only national organization with special programs for faith-based credit unions and Latino credit unions. We provide support to youth credit union programs across the country, and have just introduced a national Train-the-Trainer financial literacy program.
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Advocacy. With a growing membership of more than 200 credit unions, we bring your issues to the nation's policymakers at NCUA, the CDFI Fund, the Small Business Administration, and other agencies. Your voice counts at the Federation.
When you join the Federation as a Policy Member, you'll also receive:
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Monthly mailings about funding, new programs, and other opportunities
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Assistance in applying for resources, including reviews of your business plan, financial projections, or membership expansion plan
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Toll-free telephone consultations about technical issues
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Discounts on all our conferences, trainings, and events
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Free and discounted publications
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Access to a nation-wide network of credit unions with concerns like yours
Apply Now!
