2010 REAL Solutions® Grant Application Info

REAL Solutions is moving to a project focus. What this means is leagues will be invited to submit a two-page project proposal for resources and assistance (i.e., a grant) to implement a project that will encourage and assist partnering credit unions to serve more low-wage working families.

The program is assisting 37 partnering states and almost 850 credit unions. The current participating states joined the program for a variety of reasons, using a variety of implementation strategies. With mass achieved, many of these leagues are ready to delve deeper into helping credit unions serve low-wage families. Using this strategy program outputs will be accountable, measurable and easier to replicate, which is the primary reason REAL Solutions changed its strategy for 2010.

Below are some of the types of proposals that will be funded by NCUF, and must be REAL Solutions mission related and directly supports access to financial products and services to low wealth working families.

• Statewide outreach conference or webinar series
• Product roll-outs such as payday loan alternatives, check-cashing,or 2nd chance checking programs
• Non prime auto loan programs
• VITA or tax preparation services
• Educational programs, such as reality fairs, college student alumni association programs, or in-house financial counselors
• Statewide savings challenges
• Enhanced credit score programs
• RS awareness building, such as a statewide RS branding campaign
• Impact measurement and/or state-level reporting
• Diversity or sensitivity training
• Story collection (cannot be used as entries in REAL Member Stories)

Submit your application electronically by 11:59 PM on February 15, 2010, to Jeff Purvis. If you cannot submit the information electronically, please mail them to arrive by the February 15 deadline at the following address:

• Jeff Purvis, National Learning Center & Database Manager
  National Credit Union Foundation
  601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, South Bldg., Suite 600
  Washington DC 20004

• To download the overview and grant application, click here. Be sure to answer all the questions within the application, prior to submitting.

If you have a question about the REAL Solutions project proposal process, contact Lois Kitsch at 407.616.2409 or 800.356.9655, ext. 6770, or via email.