The Difference helps consumers build financially strong, self-supporting families and communities. This grant supports Wisconsin credit unions offering innovative products and services that:
- Provide affordable alternatives to high-cost financial products and services
- Reduce dependency on predatory financial providers
- Increase financial literacy
- Improve personal financial management
- Foster saving and wealth-building
- Strengthen creditworthiness
- Provide an avenue to personal financial stability
- Improve the financial and economic well-being of Wisconsin communities
Difference Grant applications are accepted May 15 through June 30 each year. Recipients are notified by July 31.
Eligibility & Guidelines
- Wisconsin credit unions that have signed a commitment letter are eligible to apply, as are affiliated system credit union organizations such as chapters, or other groups involved with credit union development efforts. Applicants must complete the application form to be considered.
- Non-credit union organizations partnering with affiliated credit unions and organizations may apply for grant funding, but must clearly articulate how the project will impact credit unions and their members.
- Projects must have clearly defined, measurable and achievable goals and objectives. We favor projects that:
- Offer affordable alternatives to high-cost financial products and services
- Reduce dependency on predatory financial providers
- Increase financial literacy
- Improve personal financial management
- Encourage saving and wealth-building
- Build creditworthiness
- Provide an avenue to personal financial stability and
- Improve the financial and economic well-being of Wisconsin communities
- Funds cannot be used as a cash donation directly to a third-party organization.
- Recipient must demonstrate a strong commitment to the project.
- Recipient must use the grant during the year it is awarded and solely for the purpose stated on the application.
- The Foundation reserves the right to withhold and/or recover grant funds in the event the funds are misused.
- No more than one grant per year, per credit union or organization.
- Grant recipients must provide The Foundation within 30 days after the end of the grant period a final written report detailing how the grant funds were used and what was accomplished with the funds.
- Grants will be awarded based on the number and nature of the grant requests and the Foundation’s budget.
Grant Use Samples
Financial literacy and education programs, partnerships, and materials, special lending programs and loan products, and more. View past recipients below for inspiration.
Applications & Deadline
Applications are accepted between May 15 and June 30 annually. Recipients are notified by July 31.
Questions? Contact Josh Roberts at (608) 640-4065.
The Difference Grant Recipients
past 5 years
2025
Capital Credit Union
Digital enhancements and improvements to the credit union’s reality fair programs
LCO Federal Credit Union
Creation of financial education program for community members, youth, and entrepreneurs
2024
Co-op Credit Union
Implementation of Building Financial Strength program
FOCUS Credit Union
Financial education for members and free financial counseling through Banzai
Fort Community Credit Union
Creation of the Mobile Financial Empowerment Program
Fox Communities Credit Union
Creation of sustained financial education solutions and implementation of the Cashy app
Park City Credit Union
Implementation of focused youth financial education programs and partnering with My First Nest Egg and Zogo
UW Credit Union
Creation of a financial literacy series for low-income and BIPOC Madison-area residents
2023
Superior Choice Credit Union
Support for Superior students
Verve, A Credit Union
Implementation of Fraud Squad
2022
Glacier Hills Credit Union
Creation of credit improvement program, A New Path
Verve, A Credit Union
Creation of Fraud Squad
2021
7 Rivers Chapter of Credit Unions
Support for Finance and Investment Bowl scholarship
Fond du Lac Credit Union
Implementation of a domestic violence loan program
Royal Credit Union
Creation of FinU, a virtual finance education for young adults program
Shoreline Credit Union
Adoption of ZOGO, a financial education program