CUNA Mutual Group, the largest international provider of insurance and retirement services to credit unions, has committed to give World Council of Credit Unions up to $1 million to support its work to champion and grow credit unions and cooperative finance worldwide.

CUNA Mutual Group will provide a matching grant based on the amount of 2021 donations that come into Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions—the fundraising and engagement arm of World Council. For every dollar donated to the Worldwide Foundation, CUNA Mutual Group will give one dollar to World Council.

“We are overwhelmed by this generous show of support from CUNA Mutual Group. As one of World Council’s oldest members—and the largest annual donor to our Worldwide Foundation—they have long demonstrated their commitment to the work we do to support the international credit union movement,” said Brian Branch, World Council President and CEO.

Originally beginning operations in 1971, World Council is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021. CUNA Mutual Group’s contribution will position World Council to successfully support credit unions in growing economies by promoting financial inclusion, strengthening institutions, and providing policy and regulatory support for the next 50 years.

“We believe a brighter financial future should be accessible to everyone,” said Robert N. Trunzo, President and CEO of CUNA Mutual Group. “The World Council’s work to support credit unions and their members is a crucial part of ensuring that access for people around the world. We are committed to supporting this work and encourage others to do the same.”

Trunzo is challenging credit unions, CUSOs and individuals in our industry to help the Worldwide Foundation meet its 2021 Bridge the Gap campaign goal of $1.7 million—thereby ensuring CUNA Mutual Group fulfills its $1 million commitment to World Council.

“CUNA Mutual Group has provided a unique opportunity for us to help advance credit unions worldwide. This challenge calls on other industry leaders to engage and support credit unions that face glaring digital, safety, gender and leadership gaps worldwide. If this challenge is answered, we all will be that much closer to achieving our purpose of transforming a billion member lives worldwide,” said Mike Reuter, Executive Director of Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions.

To accept CUNA Mutual Group’s challenge and donate to Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions’ Bridge the Gap campaign, visit the 2021 CUNA Mutual Group Challenge homepage.

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development platform for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 86,055 credit unions in 118 countries serve 291 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.