Help Protect CDFI Credit Unions

Not only are credit unions facing the threat of our tax-exempt status, but we are also facing the potential loss of our CDFI funding. CDFIs, or Community Development Financial Institutions, are mission-driven organizations that expand financial products and services to lower-income households, small businesses, and communities. This funding enables certain credit unions, such as Tucoemas, to go above and beyond for our community and provide the extra necessary assistance to our members.

Over the last five years, Tucoemas has utilized this funding to give back to the community by investing nearly $ 500,000 in financial education, which has helped more than 1,400 members learn about personal finance and acquire the necessary tools to achieve financial success. We have certified 35+ team members as financial counselors, more than any other community financial institution in our area. We have invested more than $ 300,000 in local non-profits to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness, first-time college students, access to critical healthcare, and other initiatives. We’ve helped over 600 families and individuals reduce debt and improve their credit scores.  We provide emergency, 0% loans for our team when they and their families experience tragedy.  We offer free checking accounts and reduced fees of over $ 250,000 annually.  We’ve invested over $ 7 million in capital in Tulare County to help low- to moderate-income communities access financing at reasonable rates. In a persistent poverty county like Tulare County, all of these efforts help to ensure our community’s stability, safety, and resilience.

Congress recently voted to pass the Continuing Resolution, which included fully funding the Community Development Financial Institution Fund. As a CDFI-certified institution operating in a persistent poverty county, the support of the CDFI fund has helped make all of the above efforts possible. While we appreciate the efforts to create a more efficient government, we must fight to maintain our CDFI certification to continue doing the outstanding work we do for our neighbors.

Please help us advocate for the importance of the CDFI fund by clicking the link below and contacting your local congress personnel. Feel free to use the information provided above to help show the difference this funding can make on organizations such as Tucoemas and the community we serve. Thank you for your continued support.

Take action here: My Congressional District

Step 1: enter your zip code

Step 2: Click one or both Representatives

Step 3: Click “Contact” on your Representatives webpage