Leaders in Financial Literacy

The CrossState Credit Union Foundation has a history of promoting and supporting impactful and innovative financial literacy initiatives. In 2026, we will again recognize and honor credit unions for excellence in the advancement of financial literacy, including for Collaboration in Financial Literacy. This special category is designed to encourage and celebrate credit unions working united to serve our communities.

Award winners will be honored during CrossState Connect Annual Convention, which will be held on May 19–21, 2026, at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 2, 2026

APPLY NOW

Receive a grant award of $2,500 in support of their financial literacy efforts
Be recognized and featured in the Connect program book and during the Foundation Luncheon
Receive a Leaders in Financial Literacy Award to proudly display
Be featured in our CrossState Daily e-newsletter, in our CU Edge magazine, and on our social media
Be featured in press releases sent to local and statewide news media and credit union publications
Be asked to present their program on a webinar and convention workshop the following year

The awards are open to all credit unions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Entries should be made for projects that were initiated, conducted, or ongoing during the previous calendar year (2025).
Only one entry per credit union will be accepted; a credit union can also be part of a Collaboration category submission.
Applications will not be reviewed if the credit union’s program or similar program has already won.
Credit unions will be grouped by asset size, and then each group will be judged separately. The Collaboration category will also be judged separately.

Examples of eligible projects, including for the Collaboration category:

In-school or after-school financial literacy programs
Community-based financial literacy programs
Workplace financial literacy programs
Programs for the unbanked or underbanked
First-time homebuyer programs
Programs on learning to budget
Education on using credit wisely

The entry form and any supporting materials will be submitted online. Any questions can be directed to Foundation Executive Director Sue Ward-Diorio at sward-diorio@crossstate.org or 717-839-2244.

Winners will be asked for photos of their program for use in a presentation video and for promotional purposes.

Leaders in Financial Literacy Luncheon Sponsorships

Every year, we provide sponsorship opportunities for the Leaders in Financial Literacy Foundation Luncheon.

See what we offered in 2025, and get ready to take advantage when we open in early 2026!

2025 Sponsorships

2025 Financial Literacy Award Winners

Fraud Education Initiatives

Watch the Armco CU Award Video

Expanding Impact Through Community Financial Education

Watch the Bay Atlantic FCU Award Video

Sharing Zogo with Community Partners

Watch the Clearview FCU Award Video

Student Ambassador Program

Watch the First Capital FCU Award Video

Expanding Financial Inclusion and Empowerment

Watch the North Jersey FCU Award Video

Past Leaders in Financial Literacy Award Winners

2024

Cross Valley Federal Credit Union: Ranger Credit Union – Promoting Financial Wellness for High School Students
Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union: Conducting Seminars, “Senior Financial Scams: How to Protect Yourself, Family and Friends.”
Members 1st of New Jersey Federal Credit Union: Special Collaboration Award for Financial Reality Fairs
Mercer County Community Federal Credit Union: Junior Achievement Biztown Collaboration
First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union: Raub Middle School Financial Wellness Program

2023

Belco Community CU – “Belco In-School Financial Wellness Initiative – Dream, Achieve, Succeed”
North Jersey FCU – “The Castle 2.0 at JFK High School – Paterson, NJ”
Service 1^st FCU – “2022 Community Savings Challenge”
White Rose CU – “Customizable Financial Offerings for Local Schools”
Greater Reading Financial Reality Fair Committee – “Special Collaboration Award”

2022

Mercer County Community FCU – “Mercer County Community FCU Extends Financial Literacy for Students through Virtual Learning”
North East Welch FCU – “ Financial Literacy Starts at Home”
TruMark Financial CU – “Financial Literacy for the Underbanked and Unbanked”
Visions FCU – “Wallet Wellness”

2021

ABCO FCU — “Virtual Homebuyer Seminars & Financial Topics”
AmeriChoice FCU — “AmeriChoice Friday Night Rivals Football Financial Literacy”
Credit Union of New Jersey — “Virtual Financial Education Program”
Lanco FCU — “ReSet Redirecting Students to Excel and Thrive”

2020

Belco Community Credit Union — “Team Belco Believes”
Members 1st of New Jersey FCU — “Budget Seminars”
PHEPLE FCU — “Path to Financial Literacy”
Pinpoint FCU — “The Credit Medic”

2019

AmeriChoice FCU — “Financial Literacy for the Underbanked”
Belco Community Credit Union — “Believe in Community”
Members 1st FCU — “Members 1st FCU and Milton Hershey School: 2018 Educational Initiative”
TruMark Financial Credit Union — “Financial Jeopardy”

2018

NET Credit Union — “Student Loan Seminars”
North East Welch FCU — “Community Financial Literacy”
TruMark Financial Credit Union — “TruMark Financial @ Work“

2017

CLARIFI — “The Medical-Financial Partnership
Mercer County Community FCU — “Mercer County Community FCU Teaches Real-Life
Financial Lessons to High School Students”
NET Credit Union — “The Credit Score Program”
Members 1st FCU — “Adult Education: Lunch and Learn Program”

2016

Family Services of Western Pennsylvania — “Ways to Work Transportation Loan & Financial Literacy Program”
PA Assistive Technology Foundation — “Cents & $ensibility: A Guide to Money Management”
PHEPLE FCU — “Partners in Learning Program”
PSECU — “WalletWorks: Expanding Financial Education Beyond the Classroom”