← Back to US Funders Directory

State Employees Credit Union Foundation

Annual Giving
$23.0M
Grant Range
$40K - $2.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $23 million (FY 2024)
  • Total Committed Since 2004: Over $300 million
  • Decision Time: Semi-annual cycles (January and July)
  • Grant Range: $40,000 (capacity building) - $2,000,000+ (major capital)
  • Geographic Focus: North Carolina only (all 100 counties)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.ncsecufoundation.org

Email: secufoundation@ncsecu.org

Mailing Address:
SECU Foundation
PO Box 25966
Raleigh, NC 27611-5966

Grants Portal: Available on website at ncsecufoundation.org/Grants

Overview

Founded in 2004 by the State Employees' Credit Union Board of Directors, the SECU Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that has become the largest charitable foundation in the credit union industry. With over $300 million committed in scholarships, grants, and loans since inception, the Foundation has made an impact in all 100 North Carolina counties. Funded through the reallocation of members' $1 monthly checking account maintenance fee (with over 99% participation), the Foundation generates approximately $20 million annually to address community challenges. The Foundation's mission centers on the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People," focusing on high-impact projects in education, housing, healthcare, and human services that improve the social and economic conditions of public employees and all North Carolina citizens. Recent strategic initiatives include significant disaster relief efforts, with $3.75 million donated to Western North Carolina communities following Hurricane Helene in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Capital Grants - Fund tangible, permanent, and visible projects, typically supporting construction or major renovation of buildings and facilities. Recent awards range from $500,000 to $2,000,000. Applications accepted through online portal on semi-annual cycles.

Programmatic Grants - Support pilot programs or large-scale program expansions that provide regional or statewide services. Recent awards typically range from $350,000 to $1,500,000. Applications accepted through online portal on semi-annual cycles.

Mission Development Grants (MDGs) - Capacity-building grants of $40,000 each supporting smaller nonprofits through organizational assessments, goal setting, and pathways for expansion. Includes dedicated consultant access over a two-year period. As of 2024, 120 North Carolina organizations have participated in this program.

Priority Areas

  • Education: Teacher recruitment/retention, financial literacy programs, scholarships, and educational facilities
  • Housing: Affordable housing initiatives, homelessness prevention, and housing security projects
  • Healthcare: Healthcare access expansion, mental health services, and medical facilities
  • Human Services: Crisis intervention, child advocacy, services for vulnerable populations, and community development

Key Funding Preferences:

  • Projects that benefit North Carolina public employees and their communities
  • Initiatives with statewide or major regional impact
  • Projects that can serve as models for replication in other NC communities
  • Tangible projects that are permanent and visible (particularly for capital grants)
  • Organizations demonstrating the "People Helping People" philosophy

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects outside North Carolina
  • Organizations based outside North Carolina
  • Operational expenses (preference given to capital projects)
  • Organizations lacking basic infrastructure (websites, strategic plans, capital campaign experience)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Jama Campbell - Senior Vice President, Executive Director
Campbell joined the Foundation as its first full-time employee after 30 years at SECU, including 20 years in branch management and 10 years as district manager. She describes her role as "trying to suss out the greatest needs in North Carolina, make sure my board knows about them, and then help bring projects to life." Campbell emphasizes: "We're always looking for ways to help people and organizations fill the key gaps in their communities."

Staff: The Foundation employs 4 staff members, with two having branch network backgrounds similar to Campbell's.

Board of Directors

Mona Moon - Chair (Retired COO of NC Medicaid)
Stelfanie Williams - Vice Chair (VP for Durham Affairs, Duke University; former community college president)
Mark Fleming - Secretary/Treasurer (Former government affairs executive, US Senate and Army veteran)
Chris Ayers - Executive Director, NC Utilities Commission Public Staff
Bob Brinson - Former CIO, NC Department of Public Safety; CPA
Michael Clements - Former community investment executive
Amaka Flynn - Retired contract monitoring specialist, NC DHHS
Ben McLawhorn - Retired audit and compliance director, NC Office of State Controller
Brad McMillen - Assistant Superintendent for Data, Research, and Accountability, Wake County Public Schools
Thomas Parrish - NC Department of Information Technology
Chuck Stone - Former administrative officer; past president, State Employees Association of NC
Jennifer Willis - Retired associate dean, UNC School of Government
McKinley Wooten Jr. - Assistant Secretary, NC Department of Revenue (Board member since 2004)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Access the Grants Portal: Applications must be submitted through the online grants portal at ncsecufoundation.org/Grants

  2. Two-Stage Process:

    • Pre-Proposal Registration: Submit initial registration through the portal. Approvals to submit full applications are generally made within 5 business days.
    • Full Application: Once registration is approved, applicants receive an invitation to complete and submit a full grant application.

  3. Application Cycles:

    • January Cycle: Application deadline October 31st
    • July Cycle: Application deadline April 30th

  4. No Funding Restrictions: The Foundation does not place minimum or maximum restrictions on grant amounts requested.

Decision Timeline

  • Pre-Proposal Review: Approvals typically within 5 business days
  • Full Application Review: Grants considered semi-annually during January and July board meetings
  • Notification: Specific timeline not published; applicants notified after board decisions

Success Rates

While specific success rate percentages are not published, recent data shows:

  • FY 2022-2023: 56 nonprofits received grants totaling over $23 million (largest giving year)
  • The Foundation has funded hundreds of organizations across all 100 NC counties since 2004
  • Mission Development Grants: 120 organizations supported to date

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publish a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations are advised to contact the Foundation directly through the grants portal or via email for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Organizational Readiness is Critical: According to Foundation leadership, "A lot of our 'no's' were due to lack of knowledge and understanding." Successful applicants demonstrate:

  • Strategic planning capacity
  • Previous capital campaign experience (for major capital grants)
  • Strong organizational infrastructure (website, financial management systems)
  • Clear understanding of the Foundation's mission and priorities

Alignment with "People Helping People" Philosophy: The Foundation seeks organizations that embody the credit union's core values and demonstrate commitment to serving North Carolina public employees and their communities.

Regional or Statewide Impact: Preference given to projects that have major regional or statewide impact and can serve as models for replication in other communities across North Carolina.

Tangible, Visible Projects: For capital grants, the Foundation seeks permanent, visible projects rather than operational support. Projects should create lasting community assets.

Strong Stewardship: Campbell emphasizes the Foundation's focus on multiplication: "How can we multiply every one of those member dollars?" Successful applications demonstrate efficient use of funds and sustainable impact.

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Good Shepherd Center: $2 million to fight homelessness (2024)
  • Lucy Daniels Center: $750,000 for youth mental health facility (2024)
  • TROSA: $1 million for Durham campus expansion (2024)
  • SPCA Wake: $1 million for regional campus for pets and people (2024)
  • SouthLight Healthcare: $500,000 to expand outpatient treatment services (2024)
  • Tammy Lynn Center: $1.5 million for campus expansion (2023)
  • Eden Village of Wilmington: $500,000 for tiny home initiative (2023)

Flexibility and Problem-Solving: Campbell notes, "There are times when you have to say no, but we're looking for ways to help people get where they need to be." The Foundation values collaboration and works with applicants to help them succeed.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Public Employee Focus: While serving all North Carolinians, the Foundation prioritizes projects that improve social and economic conditions for public employees. Demonstrate how your project serves this constituency.

  • Build Organizational Capacity First: Before applying for major capital or programmatic grants, ensure your organization has basic infrastructure in place. Consider applying for a Mission Development Grant first if capacity building is needed.

  • Think Statewide or Regional: The Foundation values projects with broad impact that can be replicated. Articulate how your project serves as a model for other NC communities.

  • Emphasize Permanence and Visibility: For capital projects, demonstrate how the investment creates lasting, tangible community assets that embody "People Helping People."

  • Know the Funding Cycle: With only two cycles per year, plan applications well in advance of deadlines (October 31 and April 30).

  • Leverage the Two-Stage Process: The pre-proposal registration allows for early feedback. Use this opportunity to ensure alignment before investing in a full application.

  • Demonstrate Member Stewardship: Show how grant funds will be multiplied and create sustainable impact, honoring the $1 monthly contributions of over 2.7 million SECU members.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory