What's Happening with Dakota Credit Union Foundation?

Meet your foundation board members – we appreciate their time and talents!  Plus, special thanks to our generous donors, and find out what’s in store with more upcoming activities! 

by Kayla Pulvermacher, Executive Director, Dakota Credit Union Foundation

The Dakota Credit Union Foundation (DCUF) kicked off 2021 with the annual giving campaign in January.  On the Dakota Credit Union Association dues invoice, credit unions can choose to make a voluntary contribution to the foundation.  We truly appreciate the generosity of those who choose to support DCUF and would like to acknowledge the following credit unions for their substantial donations over the past two years.

Capitol Club Level – $500 or more.
First Century FCU
Flasher Community Credit Union
Fort Randall FCU
Healthcare Plus FCU
Med5 FCU
Western Cooperative CU

Leadership Circle Level – $1,000 or more.
Dakotaland FCU
Norstar FCU
United Savings CU

Chairman’s Club Level – $2,500 or more.
Dakota Plains CU

Founder Level – $5,000 or more.
North Star Community CU

Our fundraising activities, like everything in 2020, took a hit due to the impact of COVID.  However, I’m pleased to report that our fundraising efforts at the 2021 DakCU Summit in Fargo were a resounding success!  The foundation sold mulligans and “extend-a-putts” at the golf scramble, held a 50/50 raffle, and a “wine cork sale” that completely sold out.  Additionally, Roger Heacock, who won the 50/50 raffle, donated a portion of his winnings back to the foundation.  All in all, DCUF brought in over $4,000!

The foundation continues to pay it forward.  Last year, DCUF awarded $10,000 in higher education scholarships to twenty high school and college students across the Dakotas; donated $3,000 to CU Aid that benefitted credit union members impacted by the California wildfires; contributed $500 to the African American Credit Union Council’s “Commitment to Change” scholarship fund; and over $2,000 in grants were awarded to credit union chapters for financial literacy and financial health promotional events.

Moving forward, we have launched a credit union memorial program where anyone can recognize a loved one, a friend, or credit union member with a memorial or a tribute to the Dakota Credit Union Foundation.  Additionally, the foundation board has been working on other events for the year with the Annual Golf Outing scheduled for August 26 at the Apple Creek Country Club in Bismarck.  We are also planning some fun activities for the New Ideas Conference in Deadwood, October 4 – 6.

Finally, the foundation board met early on Wednesday right after the Summit and discussed how best to demonstrate the mission of the foundation and create higher awareness of its work.  As a result, the board will be holding a planning session in August before the golf scramble.

I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge all the current foundation board members.  They give generously of their time and talents to ensure our foundation continues to move forward successfully.

• Darla Schaefer, Chair, Flasher Community Credit Union
• Jane Duerre, Vice-Chair, Nostar Federal Credit Union
• Katie Dressler, Secretary, First Community Credit Union
• Abby Murano, Treasurer, Dakotaland Federal Credit Union
• Jeff Olson, Director Ex Officio, Dakota Credit Union Association
• Jim Schaefbauer, Director, United Savings Credit Union
• Keith Mantz, Director, Capital Credit Union
• Dorothy Voorhees, Director, Sentinel Federal Credit Union           
• Kayla Pulvermacher, Executive Director, Dakota Credit Union Association

​Thank you to everyone who donates their time and dollars to the Dakota Credit Union Foundation. 
Without you, our work wouldn’t be possible.

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