GLCU Wins State-Level Desjardins Financial Education Award from America’s Credit Unions

​Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) is proud to announce that it received a 2025 State-Level Desjardins Financial Education award from America’s Credit Unions for its financial and housing counseling program. GLCU will be recognized at the Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) Annual Convention Celebration Lunch on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Hilton Chicago.

The Desjardins Financial Education Award recognizes credit unions that demonstrate leadership in financial literacy programs for both youth and adults. The philanthropic arm of GLCU – the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment – supports the community by offering free housing and financial counseling to members and non-members.

The GLCU Foundation’s National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-certified counselors teach clients proven techniques that can help them increase their credit score, manage income and expenses, qualify for down payment and rental assistance, and more.
So far in 2025, The GLCU Foundation has impacted more than 200 people through one-on-one counseling and has hosted over 350 people for housing and financial workshops. This year, the GLCU Foundation has helped save over $8 million in community assets through its financial education efforts.

“We’re incredibly proud to receive the State-Level Desjardins Financial Education Award from America’s Credit Unions,” said Matthew Rizzie, Executive Director of the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment. “The GLCU Foundation believes that education is the key to financial empowerment, and this award reflects our commitment to expanding access to financial education to everyone in our communities.”

Jasmine Taylor-Newton, ICUL Community and Program Coordinator, added, "These awards give us a chance to share the powerful stories behind the work of our credit unions. From financial literacy programs that change lives to community projects that create lasting impact, these awards are a true reflection of the service mindset within our movement."