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.

Submissions for 2026 are closed.

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

Leaders in Financial Literacy Luncheon Sponsorships

Each year, the award winners are honored during CrossState Connect Annual Convention at the Foundation Luncheon, presented by Members 1st Federal Credit Union. They will receive a display award and grant of $2,500 in support of their financial literacy efforts.

If you’d like to support the Foundation, considering one of the many Luncheon sponsorship opportunities we offer!

Explore Luncheon Sponsorships

2026 Financial Literacy Award Winners

WealthWise

Youth Program

Fraud Awareness with Consumer Advocate Mary Bach

THRIVE Financial Wellness Pathway

Neurodivergent-Friendly Financial Well-Being Initiative

Special Collaboration Award

2026 Leaders in Financial Literacy Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor — Members 1st FCU

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Past Leaders in Financial Literacy Award Winners

2025

Armco CU – “Fraud Education Initiatives”
Bay Atlantic FCU – “Expanding Impact Through Community Financial Education”
Clearview FCU – “Sharing Zogo with Community Partners”
First Capital FCU – “Student Ambassador Program”
North Jersey FCU – “Expanding Financial Inclusion and Empowerment”

2024

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

Leaders in Financial Literacy

Leaders in Financial Literacy Awards for Credit Unions

Each Winner Will…

Eligibility

Leaders in Financial Literacy Luncheon Sponsorships

2026 Financial Literacy Award Winners

Cross Valley Federal Credit Union

Everence Federal Credit Union

Members 1st Federal Credit Union

Pheple Federal Credit Union

Credit Union of New Jersey