Civic Federal Credit Union and Local Government Federal Credit Union exist to help members achieve prosperity — and prosperity is much more than dollars and cents.
That’s why we focus on the values of People, Planet and Prosperity, and partner with other organizations statewide on life-building programs to provide aid for housing, education and more.
In addition to providing financial services to members across North Carolina, Civic and LGFCU also launched the Civic Local Foundation in 2021 as a partner to support its funding. Just like our two Credit Unions, the Foundation creates positive impact in communities statewide, by placing people first.
By working together to meet real needs, we’re creating a brighter future for all of us.
Read on for highlights of our impact in 2022.
Focused on homeownership
LGFCU is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and designated as a low-income credit union by the National Credit Union Administration. Our status as a CDFI is consistent with our mission to improve the lives of our members.
We're recognized as a leading CDFI through our financial performance and demonstrated commitment to financial inclusion.
We deliver affordable financial products and services to diverse communities across the state, which includes affordable housing for members who otherwise would be vulnerable to high-cost and predatory competitors.
75% of members live in CDFI Target Market areas which lack access to financial services.
$765,000 in mortgage loans was generated from $22,500 in grants through our partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBA) to help first-time homebuyers.
In 2022, our housing loans included:
Values & Sustainability
We’re committed to reducing our own carbon footprint, and to helping North Carolina communities build planet-friendly practices. And we're proud of the fact that our Civic headquarters building achieved carbon neutral status in 2022, meaning both of our buildings now hold this important environmental distinction.
In 2022, we installed 272 solar panels at our Raleigh headquarters.
This will generate EPA equivalents of:
- 15 gas-powered cars driven for a year
- 24 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled
- 8.4 million smartphones charged
- 82 acres of forest in one year
We also installed 4 electric vehicle charging ports:
- Saved 5,036kg greenhouse gas emissions; that’s equal to 129 trees growing for 10 years
- 294 charging sessions to date
- 950 hours of free charging to the public
We’re involved in member communities
Local government employees and their families are the heart of Civic and LGFCU membership. Our Membership & Development team is on the go each day in local government units and member communities statewide. In 2022, the team:
Our employees give back
Our employees believe in serving and supporting programs that make our communities better.
Our members give back too!
Each time our members use their affinity debit cards, we donate 50% of our share of net merchant fees to organizations important to all of us!
In 2022, we donated:
Neighbors helping neighbors
Civic Local Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of our Credit Unions, awarding grants to North Carolina-based nonprofits addressing challenges in health care, housing, human services and hunger.
In 2022, Civic Local Foundation awarded 10 community grants totaling $250,000 to support North Carolina nonprofits focused on addressing needs in health care, housing, human services and hunger.
- Community Empowerment Fund
- Roots of Recovery
- Ripe for Revival
- Unshaken Generation Outreach
- Boundless Impact*
- Chatham Trades
- Families First
- Note in the Pocket
- Children’s Flight of Hope*
- Pretty in Pink Foundation*
* This organization has a statewide service area.
The impact of education
Helping members achieve their professional potential ultimately helps them better serve their communities. That’s why we offer scholarships to our members.
In 2022, we awarded 127 scholarships to members in 62 counties, totaling $250,000:
- 16 Administrative Officers Management Program and Law Enforcement Executive Program Scholarships for municipal law enforcement personnel, $25,000
- 86 UNC School of Government Scholarships for local government employees, $100,000
- 25 Civic Local Foundation Scholarships for students attending colleges, universities and trade schools, $125,000
AOMP/LEEP
16 total Scholarships ($25,000)School of Government
25 total Scholarships ($125,000)Student
86 total Scholarships ($100,000)Power of partnership: UNC School of Government
We’re changing lives and communities in multiple ways through our longstanding partnership with the UNC School of Government.
Our support of the School's Development Finance Initiative (DFI) aids in in providing financial and legal expertise to North Carolina cities and towns, helping to attract billions of dollars in private investment to our state.
In 2022, we supported:
- 20 new DFI projects
- 26 ongoing DFI projects
These include:
- 9 projects in Tier 1 or Tier 2 communities
- 12 in distressed or severely distressed communities
- 9 communities with a population of 20,000 or less
Also in partnership with the School, we provide fellowships through our Leading for Results program. This program helps local government leaders build skills that enhance their public service within our state. In 2022, we supported: