In Commerce Township, Michigan, the Relentless Care Foundation purchased a forklift truck for Hospitality House to help the food pantry more efficiently process food donations, so more hungry families can get the meals they need.

Feeding Hope at Hospitality House

In Commerce Township, Michigan, the Relentless Care Foundation funded the purchase of two forklift hoist trucks by Hospitality House to help the food pantry more efficiently process food donations, so more hungry families can get the meals they need.

Hospitality House

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In Detroit’s Fitzgerald neighborhood, the Roof the Block initiative, led by Bargain Block stars Keith and Evan, with support from the Relentless Care Foundation and Brilliant Detroit, is providing new roofs to 10 long-time residents to promote housing security and community stability.

Raising New Roofs in Detroit

In Detroit’s Fitzgerald neighborhood, about five miles from our forthcoming Detroit Branch, Bargain Block stars, Keith and Evan and their company 

 are giving new roofs to 10 long-time residents of the neighborhood in a program called Roof the Block. The Relentless Care Foundation not only committed $50,000 to Roof the Block, but also engaged 

 to ensure Roof the Block is rooted deeply in the neighborhood it’s meant to serve.

This collaborative effort further stabilizes an already vibrant neighborhood while ensuring housing security and the eventual generational wealth transfer.

Learn how the Relentless Care Foundation supports local arts and culture in the Plymouth community. 

Bringing Arts and Culture to the Plymouth Community

"Fifty five years ago, our founder, Joanne Hulce, had a big, bold vision to bring quality arts experiences to the greater Plymouth community," said Lisa Howard, Executive Director of the Plymouth Community Arts Council.

Howard said that with a generous grant from the Relentless Care Foundation, the Center will continue to make Hulce's vision a reality, enriching Plymouth and western Wayne County with greater access to the arts and fostering artistic excellence.

Plymouth Community Arts Council

Funding Arts and Culture in the Plymouth Community

See how the Relentless Care Foundation is supporting youth arts education in rural northern Michigan communities with a grant to Montmorency County Public Libraries.

Funding Fine Arts Education at Montmorency County Libraries

Lori Haas, director of Montmorency County Public Libraries, said the grant will bring fine arts education to the library's rural northern Michigan communities.

"This grant will allow us to continue our fine arts program and put art supplies in the hands of local children who may not have been able to get access to the arts otherwise."

Montmorency County Libraries

Funding Fine Arts Education at Montmorency County Public Libraries

In the face of a winter storm crisis, CFCU launched emergency credit cards to support families, demonstrating the impact of human-centered product development and the credit union’s dedication to addressing real-world needs and creating social change.

Walking Together: How Credit Unions Can Make Listening their Superpower and Solve Real-World Problems

During a severe winter storm in Michigan, I watched families flood into a hotel lobby, looking for a warm place to stay. Most of the area was without power due to the thick layers of ice covering everything- the same ice that had forced me to work from the hotel lobby that morning. I overheard the front desk explaining to a woman on the phone that they could not accept debit cards for hotel reservations, only credit cards.

This human was looking for a warm, safe place to take her family as they waited for the power to come back on, and she couldn’t solve this simple need for her family because of the type of payment option she utilized. Facepalm. The U.S. Banking System continues to fail consumers. I felt our credit union had to do something. Within the next hour, after a quick conversation with our executive team, we launched a no-credit-check $500 emergency credit card for existing members. Our contact center (internally referred to as our care center) stayed open late that night, issuing these new credit cards.

I can hear the protests of lending, risk, and collection professionals concerned about losses and fraud. But remember, Friedrich Raiffeisen famously said, "Not for profit, not for charity, but for service." My point: Before we dive right into heady analytic risk assessment, let’s remember the heart of our founding purpose.

In a world where digital disruption is reshaping the financial industry, credit unions have a unique opportunity to stand out by focusing on the real-world needs of their members. By leveraging a community-centric approach and member-focused mission, credit unions can create innovative solutions that address pressing societal issues. All we need to do is be attentive and listen. At Community Financial Credit Union, we refer to listening as our superpower.

While it’s important we are good stewards of our members' money and that we ensure we have strong capital and returns, it’s also vital we use those returns to create impact. We can have both strong financial performance and human-centered, heart-forward social impact. We can get back to creating solutions for the struggles we were hearing in the break room. The colleague who couldn’t get a loan to repair their furnace, or for the mom who couldn’t make a hotel reservation because she only had a debit card. Let us not use the cushy capital to get soft in our mission but stronger.

The Power of Human-Need Product Development

One effective strategy for credit unions to evolve and win is adopting a holistic- human-problem-driven approach to product development. This means starting by identifying and addressing the pain points that humans experience in their daily lives. By deeply understanding members' needs, credit unions can create human-centered design solutions that deliver genuine value.

Five Ways Community Financial is Uniquely Evolving for Members:

Powerful Partnerships—We seek partnerships that actively engage with us to imagine how we can do better by dreaming boldly. In our partnership with 

, we’ve created account-opening workflows to seamlessly open hundreds of accounts for kindergarten and fifth-grade students in collaboration with a local school district.

Making Impossible Dreams Possible - Develop products that address specific needs, such as affordable housing loans. At Community Financial Credit Union, this was brought to life through our h-Ope!

 mortgage for first-time buyers who have thin or sometimes no credit history.

Not Ignoring Dark Moments- Life isn’t just about retiring and buying a vineyard. Death, sickness, and uncoupling are all major life transitions with profound financial impacts. In our work with 

, we’re using tools we already have to assist members affected by cancer and ensuring we’re able to alleviate their financial burdens so they can concentrate on their treatment and recovery.

- By leveraging our listening superpower and partnering with local community organizations such as 

, we’re delivering tools and products that help those affected by domestic violence and economic abuse by providing not only products that serve those affected but environments that help keep them safe. We’ve added “fast exit” technology on our website, incorporated IVR workflows, and added options for gender preference within our appointment scheduling software so we can meet members and potential members where they feel most comfortable.

Liquidity and Cash Flow Management- We’ve frequently heard during our listening panels with members, especially moms, their day-to-day budgets are particularly challenged, and we see that in our transactional data. By creating products like our 

account, we’re leveraging services like 

 alongside no minimum balance requirements and reduced overdraft fees to save our members a projected $1.2 million this year. My colleague, 

, vp of innovation, insights, and impact, explained this product and aligned services articulately in an 

What unexplored winning ideas could be ignited by close listening and problem-solving within your unique communities?

As credit unions, we have the unique opportunity to positively impact our communities by focusing on solving for human needs. By walking alongside our members and addressing their needs, our industry can truly make a difference. This could also give us even more stories to share that allow us to no longer be the best-kept secret in North America.

Finally, some stats for those curious lending, risk, and collection professionals: during the ice storm, we issued 165 emergency credit cards. While 17% of those cards were charged off, an additional thirty-three deposit shares and 19 additional loans were opened by these members within 90 days of the card issuance. Not a huge positive profit, but the positive social- and community impact is a return on investment that will far outweigh our non-material losses.

addressing a pressing social is Community Financial’s Choose The Bear™ campaign. By raising awareness about domestic violence and economic abuse, this initiative aims to financially empower women to break free from harmful situations.

CFCU and the Relentless Care Foundation partnered with Samaritas to expand access to affordable housing across Michigan.

Expanding Access to Affordable Housing in Michigan

With the Relentless Care Foundation's support, Samaritas launched the "Neighbors, Not Numbers" campaign to raise awareness, help the public understand who qualifies for housing assistance, and empower individuals and families to access stable, affordable housing in our state.

Samaritas

Follow this guide to evaluate the benefits of a 529 college savings plan, and if it's right for your family

When to Consider a 529 College Savings Plan?

If you're like many of parents, college feels like it's a million years away for your child. Especially if you are a new parent, or just newly pregnant and trying to update your financial plan.

But, like it or not, that tens-of-thousands-of-dollars expense is looming in the future. We can help you tackle that big savings goal. And, even more, we can help you determine how to use these funds. (Psst, some states allow you to use college savings funds for primary or secondary school, not only college! And, did you know you can use these funds for multiple children?! Keep reading to learn more!)

First thing's first. What the heck is a 529 plan, or otherwise known as a college savings plan, and technically called a "qualified tuition program"?

These college savings plans were created decades ago, in an effort to encourage people to save money for their children's college tuition. The plan was for college students to rely on less federal loans and sign up for less debt. The colloquial name, 529, gets its name from the tax code it is filed under.

What's the big deal with 529 college savings plans? Earnings on these investment plans are not taxed when they are used for qualified college expenses, and many states allow a tax deduction when contributing into the plans.

What are the benefits of a 529 college savings plan?

Saving for college early—sounds pretty smart, right? (We think so!) The benefits of college savings plans are twofold.

, usually up to a certain amount (see below).

Second, the earnings and growth of college savings funds are 

Third, unused 529 funds up to a certain limit can be 

Can you use 529 college savings funds for other schools?

Do you have elementary or secondary aged children enrolled in private school? You may be wondering if you should route tuition payments through your child's 529 plan or use existing 529 funds.

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act further increased flexibility behind college 529 savings plans. The 2017 law allows for distributions from 529 plans to include tuition for primary or secondary education up to $10,000 per year, per family.

A word of caution, though: don't jump into distributions so fast. It's complicated.

As we previously mentioned, the earnings and growth of college savings funds are federal tax free, when used for qualified expenses. This means that, even if your state allows for 529 funds for elementary or secondary tuition, if the funds do not have significant time to grow in the 529, you lose that appreciation tax benefit. This happens because the tax-free growth is so valuable.

Does your state allow use of 529 funds for primary or secondary education?

Before moving forward using your 529 college savings fund for your child or children's primary or secondary school tuition, ensure your state has formally approved the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Although the federal government created 529s, they are administered by the individual state—not necessarily your state of residence, but rather, the state that manages your particular 529. Many states have formally agreed that they will allow distributions to cover elementary and secondary tuition, but many states have not.

Last to consider, if the 529 balance exceeds the expected college cost, a distribution for elementary or secondary education 

 be a beneficial route, but there are still other options. (

, did you know you can use your college savings funds on more than one child? Or, even your children's children?! Keep reading!)

Follow this check-list to determine how to use your 529 college savings funds

As you now know, 529 college savings plans are incredibly beneficial. They help you tackle saving for this massive expense slowly, and can have tax benefits. That's what we call a win-win-win situation—everyone wins!

Review the below checklist to determine if using your 529 college savings funds for your elementary or primary school is possible and advisable.

Has that state declared if they will allow 529 distributions for elementary and secondary tuition?

 This ruling will determine whether or not you can use these funds for anything but college.

Do you have more money in your 529s savings account than what your child will need for college? 

If you do, you can consider pulling funds out to support elementary or secondary tuition. Or, another option to keep in mind is to allow these funds to continue to grow further for 

 children or siblings. Remember that your college savings funds can be for more than one child.

Are considering routing tuition through a 529?

 If so, which state tax deduction are you eligible for? Remember you receive the potential state tax deduction when you are investing in your home state's 529, which may not always be the right fit.

 If you're already contributing to your children's 529, you may already be receiving the max state benefit for contributions.

College savings plans are great tools to help yourself save for the future. One word, or phrase, of caution, though: just like they say to protect yourself before others on airplanes, we suggest you consider getting your own savings in order before funding a college savings plan. Make sure you've paid down big debt and are already saving for retirement before you start pouring your money into a 529 college savings plan.

Follow this 5-step plan to get your college savings fund in order

What's the Right College Savings Plan for My Child?

 resting at $1.71 trillion*—and rising—saving for college is a big deal. And, while most of us don't have $40K to front all at once come college, saving over time can be incredibly helpful for you and your child. In fact, a college savings plan can help your child from having to take federal loans, and be saddled with debt for five, ten, even 30 years.

You might have a newborn baby or are recently pregnant. This still applies to you! Setting up your college savings plan is an important part of your new baby financial plan updates. Or, you may be in the middle of determining if you should get your child a 

Stick around, and we'll help you cover the main questions about college savings plans:

What are the college savings plan options?

What type of college savings plan is right for me and my child?

How do we invest in a college savings plan?

How much should we invest in a college savings plan?

When saving for your child's college tuition, you have several options to consider. Just like we recommend you do for all financial decisions, both big and small, weigh the benefits before you make your selection. And, if you have a partner or spouse who is contributing, we recommend getting them on board, too.

State 529 college savings plans—direct-sold 

can be lower-cost and DIY options that you can open online.

State 529 college savings plans—broker-sold 

are accounts that you can open through your licensed financial advisor. A 2018 Fidelity report** found that 67% of people who worked with a financial advisor felt they had a good understanding of how to save for college, as compared to 40% of those who did not work with a financial advisor.

 are tax-advantaged college savings programs, where you purchase tuition at current rates. Similar to a rent control apartment, these plans allow you to purchase tuition credits for the current cost, versus the likely inflated cost when your child is of college age.

are savings plans that help you to save and pay for education expenses from kindergarten through college. Account earnings can grow tax-deferred and withdrawals are tax-free, when used for eligible expenses.

 are savings accounts with financial institutions that an adult controls for a minor. These accounts don't have withdrawal penalties or require distributions but, unlike 529 college savings plans and educational savings accounts, custodial accounts are 

are generally thought of us loans to the federal government. That's right; you lend money to the federal government for a certain period of time and, when that time is up, the government pays you back in full—with interest.

How to choose between college savings plan options

Lately, it seems that the state sponsored 529 college savings plans are highly popular. Many financial professionals prefer these as they can have the greatest flexibility.

The main benefits of 529 college savings plans are:

You can sock away the most amount of money each year

You may be eligible for a state tax deduction

If you elect the proper plan and investment option, these plans are relatively "self-managing"—you can set it and 

 because we're big fans of keeping an eye on your investments)

Most states offer at least one 529 plan option, so how do you know which is the right plan? You shouldn't necessarily elect the 529 plan of your state of residence. It may sound strange or counterintuitive, but some state's plans are better than others from a performance, management and fee standpoint. Not to mention, the sole benefit of using your own state's plan is typically to take advantage of the tax benefit. But, that benefit may or may not be major (or even relevant) in your state, if your state has a no state income rate or doesn't offer a tax deduction for 529 plans.

Follow the below checklist and evaluate the following items to determine which college savings plan is right for you and your family:

As previously mentioned, there are broker-sold plans, which pay a commission back to the broker who sells it to you. These plans tend to be more active than passive—meaning your broker is constantly working on getting you the best savings and, therefore, justify their broker fees.

As opposed to the broker route, where you purchase a 529 college savings plan from a broker, going to direct route means you log on the state 529 website and fill out the forms yourself. This method is passive, as you set the account and almost forget it. If you elect the right one, you will not need to pay a broker fee.

Does your state offer a tax deduction for your contributions to 529s?

 Some plans are better than others. We trust Morningstar and the annual rankings they do of state 529 plans.

There you have it! Finding the right college savings plan for you and your family can be as simple as evaluating five short steps! Before you start diving into your college savings plan, make sure you've paid down big debt and are already saving for retirement. After all, it's important to make sure you're financially stable before investing in your child's college savings plan.

**Fidelity, "College is No Free Ride: One-in-Three Families Expect Kids to Save Over $10K for College Costs by High School Graduation (But Haven't Told Them Yet)", 2018

Did you know how you’re raised to approach money has a lasting impact on your lifelong financial habits?

How Childhood Affects Financial Habits

Ever wonder why you're a savvy saver while your bestie's a shopaholic? Or why you break into a cold sweat at the mere thought of investing? Spoiler alert: It might have something to do with your childhood!

In this article, we'll take a look at how our financial experiences as children shape our adult relationship with money, explore the common money mindsets passed down through family dynamics, and discover practical ways to break free from limiting financial patterns that no longer serve you.

The financial impact of childhood experiences

Let's hop into our financial DeLorean and travel back to your younger years. Those early experiences with money? They're like the secret ingredients in your financial recipe today.

Did your parents budget meticulously or live paycheck to paycheck? Was saving for the future a priority, or was instant gratification the norm? These patterns likely left an impression on you.

, you might find yourself naturally inclined to track expenses. On the flip side, if spending was more spontaneous in your household, you might struggle with impulse purchases.

One super easy but effective way to keep yourself in check is to implement the 24-hour rule. Before making a purchase, give yourself a buffer period of at least 24 hours for all non-essential items. This pause can help break impulsive spending habits and give you time to reflect on whether that next dollar could be better used elsewhere.

Was money a taboo topic at the dinner table, or did your family discuss finances openly? Did you understand concepts like 

As a child, this openness (or silence) from your family may have shaped your comfort level with financial conversations. If money was rarely discussed, you might find it challenging to talk about finances with your partner or seek professional advice.

We start to rewrite and reshape our comfortability by addressing the big, green elephant in the room. Start normalizing money conversations in your own life. Set up regular "money dates" with yourself or your partner to discuss financial goals and progress.

Were you encouraged to save part of your allowance or gift money? Did your parents help you open a savings account?

If saving was emphasized, you might have developed a knack for delayed gratification. This skill is crucial for long-term financial success, from building an emergency fund to saving for retirement.

Not everyone is an expert right off the bat, especially when it comes to finances. So, if saving doesn't come naturally, start small. Try the 50/30/20 rule: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and 

 can do wonders for figuring out how to bucket out each of those.

Feeling like your childhood money memories are holding you back? Don't worry, you're not stuck in a financial time loop!

Start by reflecting on your family’s approach to money and identifying which habits you’ve carried into adulthood. Understanding the influences and subsequent behaviors is the first step to financial growth. Maybe you avoid investing because your parents lost money in the stock market, or perhaps you overspend to compensate for childhood scarcity.

Once you’ve identified the influences and behaviors, apply your awareness to your daily decisions to notice when you’re following inherited patterns. Make small, deliberate changes that align with your current goals and over time, that awareness will turn into intentional action and better financial habits.

A great place to start is to keep a money journal for a week. Note your spending decisions and the emotions behind them. Look for patterns linked to your childhood experiences. When you can identify patterns that you want to change, it becomes a lot easier to recognize when and where to break those patterns.

It's never too late to develop healthy financial habits. Start small, be consistent, and watch your money mindset evolve.

Choose one financial skill to master this month, whether it's creating/tightening a budget, understanding your credit score and how to build better credit, or learning about alternative investing options.

Remember, your childhood experiences may have set the stage, but you're the director of your financial future. Here's some additional steps to establishing better financial habits:

: Take stock of your income, expenses, debts, and savings. Knowledge is power!

: Whether it's building an emergency fund, paying off debt, or saving for a down payment, define what financial success looks like for you.

: Find a budgeting method that fits your lifestyle, whether it's the envelope system, zero-based budgeting, or a simple 50/30/20 split.

: Set up automatic transfers to your savings and investment accounts to make good financial habits effortless.

: The financial world is always evolving. Stay informed through reputable financial websites, books, and podcasts.

Whether you're aiming to be a savvy saver, a confident investor, or just want to feel more in control of your finances, CFCU is here to help you write your own money story. Our 

 provides personalized financial guidance, helping you break free from limiting money beliefs and build a secure financial future.

We're also committed to financial literacy for children by helping the next generation build healthier financial habits. Our 

 provide Michigan youth with the foundation they need to break cycles and create their own path to financial success.

Disclaimer: It is important to understand that nothing in this content should be considered personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice.

Read about how CFCU and the Relentless Care Foundation are supporting youth workforce development, culinary arts and food entrepreneurship in Detroit and beyond.

Cooking Up Recipes for Success at Detroit Food Academy

The Relentless Care Foundation's grant will support offerings like the Afterschool Leadership Program, which provides weekly cooking classes to youth at schools and community centers, and the Advanced Afterschool Leadership Program, where 20-25 students who have excelled in the culinary arts gain practical career skills, financial literacy and food industry entrepreneurship training at the Academy's Small Batch kitchen.

"We have a lot of amazing partnerships we've developed throughout the years with local food businesses," said Kiki Louya, Executive Director of Detroit Food Academy, "and thanks to the Relentless Care Foundation, we can magnify those partnerships and improve upon our workforce development pipeline."

Detroit Food Academy

The Relentless Care Foundation awarded a $20,000 grant to the Community Economy Development Association of Michigan, CEDAM, a nonprofit association that works to build vibrant communities across Michigan, supporting them in their efforts to expand access to affordable housing, drive greater economic growth, and increase household wealth.

Advancing Affordable Housing Development with CEDAM

One of CEDAM's core priorities is to build robust, equitable affordable housing development in Michigan through the Real Estate Development Bootcamp Program, which supports emerging real estate developers as they work to construct new affordable housing developments across the state.

"With support from the Relentless Care Foundation, we’re going to be able to track our outcomes better," said Emily Reyst, Director of Communications and Training at CEDAM.

"We'll have a better understanding of how our participants in the Real Estate Bootcamp Program are doing and how they’ll shape the field for years to come."

CEDAM

Learn how CFCU and the Relentless Care Foundation are partnering with local organizations like Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Michigan to build affordable housing in the communities we serve.

Working Together to Build Affordable Housing in Northeast Michigan

"Without the help of the Relentless Care Foundation, nothing could get done to address the need for affordable housing in our service area," said Ted Fines, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Michigan.

Over the next year, the non-profit organization plans to build another four houses, with more planned to be built over the next three to seven years on 19.5 acres of land.

Get Inspired

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Feeding Hope at Hospitality House

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Raising New Roofs in Detroit

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Funding Arts and Culture in the Plymouth Community

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Funding Fine Arts Education at Montmorency County Public Libraries

Thought Leadership

Walking Together: How Credit Unions Can Make Listening their Superpower and Solve Real-World Problems

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Expanding Access to Affordable Housing in Michigan

Guide

When to Consider a 529 College Savings Plan?

Guide

What's the Right College Savings Plan for My Child?

Guide

How Childhood Affects Financial Habits

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Cooking Up Recipes for Success at Detroit Food Academy

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Advancing Affordable Housing Development with CEDAM

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Working Together to Build Affordable Housing in Northeast Michigan