2024 GLCU Foundation Impact
A Letter from our Executive Director
In 2024, the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment made significant strides in achieving our commitment to build financial well-being for our members, employees, and communities. The GLCU Foundation provided housing and financial counseling to over 1,000 individuals and families, volunteered more than 4,300 hours in the community, and gave back more than $200,000 to our local communities.
To support the community, we had a year of many firsts including holding our inaugural fundraising dinner, participating in Giving Tuesday, and holding other fundraising campaigns like the National Credit Union Foundation’s CUAid Disaster Relief to support communities affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Even with our new initiatives, we remained true to our legacy by awarding seven scholarships to young people attending college or trade school this spring. We also continued supporting our partners by providing for needs we cannot supply directly ourselves, like the food pantries and workforce development organizations.
Witnessing the transformative impact of our programs on the low to moderate-income individuals and families that need our service the most is deeply rewarding, and we are committed to building upon this momentum by expanding our youth financial education programs and our footprint to make first-time homebuyer education available for the community in both Illinois and Indiana.
Our dedicated team members and generous supporters drive our success, and we express sincere gratitude for their unwavering commitment to financially empower the community. We need to continue to reach out to champions like you so our direct service work will receive the financial contribution it needs to be sustainable. We know that your belief in us will help us to achieve the necessary resources for vibrant programs that will impact our communities in the years to come.
Matthew Rizzie
Executive Director GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment
The Winding Road to Homeownership
Brittney wanted to determine if she could one day become a homeowner. However, for years, a single issue had been a major source of stress, rendering her too afraid to confront it. So when the 36-year-old initially visited the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment, she addressed her situation with Senior Housing Counselor John Borthwick. Saddled with debt following a car accident that severely devalued her vehicle, Brittney had found herself in collections after her car was repossessed. During their initial meeting, John addressed the situation head-on. He called the collections company and discovered that the balance had been transferred to a law firm that was only a month away from taking it to court. John worked with the law firm and persuaded them to settle the debt for roughly $3,800.
John began making calls to lenders to figure out who might be able to give Brittney an affordable loan. He also checked with his teammates and someone strongly recommended the non-profit Jewish Free Loan Chicago (JFLC). The GLCU Foundation worked with JFLC on preparing Brittney’s paperwork and they successfully qualified her for a zero-interest loan with an affordable minimum payment that would start in 2025.
Brittney would also be able to use tax rebate money to pay off the loan almost immediately, going from an $18,000 collection to being 100% debt free! This was the one major obstacle from beginning the prepurchase timeline for her since it had such a large impact on the debt to income needed to qualify for a home.
Together with Brittney, John went over different options available to her. Besides working on her credit, another one that stood out was building her savings to eventually qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home within the next year or two, as Habitat for Humanity takes its applications every fall.
Like Habitat for Humanity, the GLCU Foundation believes affordable housing plays a critical role in developing and sustaining strong and stable communities. After meeting with John and facing her fears about the old debt, Brittney felt a renewed sense of purpose and remains determined to continue working with the GLCU Foundation to qualify for Habitat for Humanity and accomplish the dream of homeownership one day.
John Borthwick
Senior Housing & Financial Counselor, GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment
Uplifting Communities by Giving Back: 2024 GLCU Foundation Impact
The GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment embodies the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” through the work it does in the community. In 2024, GLCU partnered with 158 community organizations to provide financial resources, volunteers, and education. The GLCU Foundation spent 167 hours with United Way Lake County, 159 hours with the Northern IL Food Bank, and 140 with HOPE Food Distribution Services, to name a few.
“COOL Ministries Food Bank helps over 5,000 people monthly in the community, and it is so great to be with GLCU while making that impact possible.” - GLCU employee Mike Villarreal of his experience volunteering with one of the GLCU Foundation’s community partners.
More than half of GLCU employees volunteer annually with the GLCU Foundation’s “Great Wave” volunteer program. Through this program, GLCU employees provide the necessary support local nonprofits need in order to make a meaningful impact in the communities we call home.
“It is always a rewarding experience to work with others while providing service to the community.” - Lisa Hopton, GLCU volunteer.
From sorting and packaging produce to putting together sensory kits for children in need, GLCU volunteers and its partner organizations made a tangible difference for those in need in 2024.
“These are great opportunities to give back to kids in need.” - GLCU volunteer Blake Siegel.
In total, the GLCU Foundation spent 4,384 hours on community outreach in 2024.
“We love how GLCU is supporting the community.” - Youth Conservation Corps, a GLCU Foundation partner.
2024 GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment’s Impact –
Community Partnership Recipients
In 2024, the GLCU Foundation’s aim to more impactfully financially empower local communities gained increasing momentum, fulfilling our steadfast commitment to promote financial wellness for our members, employees, and communities. Our innovative programs and unwavering commitment have empowered communities to achieve their financial goals and unlock a brighter, more secure future.
In addition to volunteering, financial education and community outreach, the GLCU Foundation partners with local organizations whose missions align with ours. This not only expands our reach but also makes a greater impact on the financial well-being of our communities. To that end, the GLCU Foundation Board of Directors has chosen the following organizations as the quarterly recipients of its partnership submissions.
2024 Partnership Recipients
Q1 – North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC)
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic’s mission is to provide accessible, quality, equitable, and free legal services in the areas of domestic violence, housing, and immigration. By assisting low-income, at-risk community members, the clinic aims to ensure they receive access to justice and avoid future housing-related hardships.
The GLCU Foundation is excited to continue partnering with NSLAC, as we work together to bolster financial literacy among underserved tenants. This collaboration aims to equip
Q2 – Bridge Communities
Bridge Communities transitions families experiencing homelessness to self-sufficiency by working with partners to provide mentoring support, holistic services, and stable housing. As a dynamic, grassroots non-profit, Bridge Communities’ housing, mentoring, and empowerment programs guide more than 100 families each year toward independence and stability.
The GLCU Foundation looks forward to continuing our partnership with Bridge Communities to transform the lives of families facing homelessness by improving their health and well-being.
Q3 – The National Credit Union Foundation’s (NCUF) CUAid Campaign
The National Credit Union Foundation's CUAid campaign delivers urgent aid to individuals and communities most impacted by natural disasters. From hurricanes and floods to wildfires and earthquakes, immediate assistance for needs such as temporary housing, food, transportation, and more is given to those who need it most.
The GLCU Foundation's commitment to the credit union philosophy of ‘people helping people’ is evident in our partnership with the NCUF and its CUAid campaign and we look forward to strengthening our collaboration.
Q4 – Sarah’s Circle
Since its founding in 1979, Sarah's Circle has offered a comprehensive range of services to help women experiencing homelessness permanently end their housing crises. The organization provides housing, essential supplies, and supportive services to nearly 700 women each year.
The GLCU Foundation has partnered with Sarah’s Circle since 2019, supporting their interim housing program and hosting financial education workshops to financially empower its residents. We anticipate a productive continued partnership with this dynamic organization.
To learn more about our partnership guidelines or to submit a proposal, click here. Donations are awarded on a quarterly basis.
