Celebrating 20 Years of the Power of a Dollar



In 2004, the SECU Board of Directors chartered the SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the $1 monthly contributions from SECU member checking accounts, to help identify and address community issues and promote local and community development in North Carolina in the areas of education, housing, healthcare and human services. The SECU Foundation celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2024 and is grateful for the opportunity to strengthen communities across North Carolina thanks to the generosity of SECU members and countless partnerships across the state. Check out our announcement for our 20th Anniversary.


SECU Foundation Stories

Power of one dollar graphic

Check out the to learn more about projects funded with the “power of your dollar.”



Did you know?

  • Over 99% of SECU members with checking accounts opt-in to SECU Foundation contributions.
  • SECU Foundation is the largest foundation in the credit union industry.
  • We provide support to all 100 counties of North Carolina.
  • The Foundation provides grants for capital projects, programmatic initiatives, or capacity building needs to deserving nonprofits.
  • The Foundation has awarded over 16,000 scholarships to students attending public universities and community colleges in North Carolina.
  • Over 200 projects have been funded through SECU Foundation grants.
  • The Foundation is proud to have given over a quarter of a billion dollars in grants, loans, and scholarships since 2004.


Over $300 million committed in grants, loans, & scholarships since 2004

A color coded map of NC displaying funding by economic region
SECU yellow slice

Northwest

$14,858,015

SECU light green slice

Southeast

$30,589,825

SECU gray slice

Piedmont

$32,510,344

SECU dark blue slice

Sandhills

$22,857,720

SECU orange slice

N. Central

$69,022,598

SECU green slice

Southwest

$29,638,900

SECU blue slice

Northeast

$28,606,716

SECU light blue slice

Western

$30,065,667

Statewide Impact Projects: $42,880,464



History of the SECU Foundation

2004

SECU Board of Directors chartered SECU Foundation

2005

  • People Helping People® scholarships program launched to support NC students
  • SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals approved as first capital project

2007

Foundation’s first teacher housing site, Hertford Pointe, opened in Ahoskie, NC

2009-2011

Provided significant support to hospice centers with grants to construct 11 facilities across NC

2013

Piloted university internships, which later became the SECU Public Fellows Internship program

2015

Provided nearly $11 million for the Mountains to Sea Challenge with Habitat for Humanity of NC, for a Habitat house in all 100 counties

2017

Began capacity building funding for smaller non-profits, which became the Mission Development Grant program

2018

SECU Bridge to Career program began funding short-term certificate scholarships, building off previous support for community college continuing education

2020

SECU Foundation, along with SECU, gave over $16 million to support non-profit operations during COVID-19 pandemic

2022

Began hosting statewide convenings to bring more value and resources to non-profits and communities

2024

SECU Foundation celebrates 20 years of impact, with over $300 million committed in grants, loans, and scholarships