Credit Unions for Kids

What Credit Unions for Kids does

Credit Unions for Kids (CU4Kids) is a nonprofit cooperative initiative established in 1986 and operated under the umbrella of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. It coordinates fundraising by the U.S. credit union movement in support of nonprofit children's hospitals, with cumulative donations raised of more than $220 million over its 40-year history. The program is organized around 17 active local committees that engage credit unions across at least 14 metropolitan areas including Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Flint, Oklahoma City, and multiple California markets.

CU4Kids delivers its mission through three core fundraising mechanisms, each designed to be turnkey for credit unions of any size: (1) the ATM Fees Campaign, under which credit unions direct a portion of non-member ATM fees to their local children's hospital; (2) the Icon Campaign, in which members donate $1 or more in exchange for a signed paper Miracle Balloon icon displayed in-branch; and (3) Signature Events, encompassing local golf tournaments, multi-state fundraisers, and walk events such as the CHOC Walk. A fourth offering, the CMN-hosted Marketing Asset Library, provides brand guidelines, templates, and promotional materials to participating credit unions at no cost.

The program's economics are non-commercial: participation is free for credit unions, paper icons are provided at no charge, and the organization has no disclosed revenue line of its own — the $220M+ cited represents pass-through donations raised by participating credit unions rather than retained revenue. Governance is provided by an Advisory Board comprising senior leaders from Cornerstone Credit Union League, GoWest Association, CUNA, MD|DC Credit Union Association, TruStage, and participating credit unions including SchoolsFirst FCU and Orsa Credit Union. Distribution runs through credit union league networks, branch-level activation, the cu4kids.org website, and a LinkedIn presence.

Name

Credit Unions for Kids

Legal name

Credit Unions for Kids

Website

https://cu4kids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Credit Unions for Kids is a 40-year-old nonprofit cooperative initiative under Children's Miracle Network Hospitals that coordinates fundraising by U.S. credit unions through ATM fees, icon campaigns, and signature events, raising over $220 million cumulatively for children's hospitals via 17 local committees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: CU4Kids raises funds through multiple mechanisms: (1) ATM Fees Campaign where credit unions add $1 or more to non-member ATM fees directed to local children's hospitals, (2) Icon Campaign where members donate $1 in exchange for a paper icon, and (3) sponsorship of local hospital events. All funds raised support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Credit Unions for Kids (CU4Kids) coordinates and supports credit union fundraising initiatives for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The organization provides credit unions with turnkey fundraising programs, including the ATM Fees Campaign, the Icon Campaign featuring Miracle Balloon paper icons, and signature event sponsorships such as golf tournaments and multi-state fundraisers. CU4Kids serves as the unified national philanthropic program of the credit union movement, having raised more than $220 million for pediatric healthcare over 40 years of operation.

Product overview

Credit Unions for Kids is a cooperative fundraising network that provides multiple interconnected programs enabling credit unions to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The core offerings include the ATM Fees Campaign (redirecting ATM fees to hospitals), the Icon Campaign (Miracle Balloon paper icons for member donations), Signature Events (golf tournaments and fundraisers), and supporting marketing resources. These programs work together as a unified fundraising platform under the CU4Kids brand, all aligned with the credit union movement's 'People Helping People' philosophy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ATM Fees Campaign

Quantifiable outcome

• $220 million+ raised for CMN hospitals over 40 years
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Children's Miracle Network HospitalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMN is the parent organization of CU4Kids. The program has been a key philanthropy initiative for credit unions supporting CMN hospitals for 40 years, raising over $220 million.
• GoWest Credit Union AssociationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoWest supports CU4Kids because it reflects the core credit union mission of 'people helping people.' CEO Troy Stang publicly endorses the program.
• Northwest Credit Union AssociationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNWCUA loves CU4Kids because it allows credit unions to work together in a fun and meaningful way that makes a difference for hospitals, kids, and families.
• Cornerstone Credit Union LeaguemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCornerstone Credit Union League's President/CEO Caroline Willard serves as Board Chair of CU4Kids, demonstrating organizational commitment.
• TruStageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTruStage SVP Chris Roe serves as Vice Chair of the CU4Kids Advisory Board, providing corporate and legislative affairs perspective.
• MD|DC Credit Union AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMD|DC Credit Union Association's John Bratsakis serves on the CU4Kids board, previously as Board Chair.
• Credit Union National Association (CUNA)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerCUNA Executive Director Brad Miller serves on the CU4Kids Advisory Board, representing the national credit union association.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cu4kids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Credit Unions for Kids