Our Community
At Great Lakes Credit Union, we’re more than a safe place to put your money. We’re people helping people through financial education, volunteering, and more.
Community Giveback: Banking for a Greater Good in Action
When we work together to give back to our community, we all benefit. Learn about our Community Giveback efforts.
Community Volunteering
Since 1938, volunteering has been at the heart of our mission. Each year we set a goal to help more communities and organizations be the change they want to see.
3,100
Community outreach hours
Our employees gladly give time to our “Great Wave” volunteer program.
$100,000
Donated to organizations
We proudly raise funds to support dozens of nonprofits each year.
200+
Events supported this year
We believe in the power of supporting local organizations to help build stronger communities.
Driving Force for Financial Education
As a mission-driven financial institution, we aim to empower our youth with financial education. It’s a goal with lasting impact: Investment in a brighter future for our members and communities.
This comprehensive financial literacy initiative for kindergarten to 3rd graders uses games, songs, and videos to teach the basics of money management.
Aimed at kids in 4th to 8th grade, this savings account gives teens an easy way to save, plus educational materials designed to promote a positive financial future.
Hands-on financial literacy simulation prepares young people for the realities of budgeting and navigating financial challenges in the adult world.
Each year, the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment awards scholarships to college-bound students to help cover tuition costs and defray loan debt.
GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment
Our charitable and volunteer arm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to building financial well-being for our members, employees, and communities.
Financial and Housing Counseling
This HUD-approved program, one of the largest of its kind in the state of Illinois, helps families gain control over their finances and maintain homeownership.
Let’s work together!
We believe in the power of collaboration. Interested in partnering with us for a community initiative?
Sponsor and Donation Request
Looking to request a sponsorship or donation from Great Lakes Credit Union? Review our guidelines.
Great Lakes Times Newsletter
Dig into the archives to learn what we’ve been up to, including our community work through the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment.
Great Expectations, Exceeded.
There’s no greater compliment – or incentive to keep doing better – than positive feedback.
“Great Lakes Credit Union has provided us with a team of volunteers for our food pantry program for several years now. We serve a very large volume of community members through our pantry and this would not be possible without the help of volunteers like those at Great Lakes Credit Union!”
“At United Way of Lake County, we believe that lasting community impact is built on collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to equity and opportunity. GLCU Foundation exemplifies these values, not only in its mission of advancing financial empowerment, but also in the way it consistently partners to strengthen the fabric of our community.”
“The Naperville Park District has been working with Great Lakes Credit Union as a sponsor for the past 3 years and each year the partnership has continued to grow. We love partnering with GLCU on so many capacities and appreciate how engaged they are as a company and their staff. It really shows when they come out to events and interact with the Naperville community.”
“GLCU is a great organization to work with. When they volunteer, they are all in and committed to educating our students. The GLCU team does a great job to make sure the content they are delivering is planned, prepped, accurate and relevant to our high school students. We look forward to many opportunities ahead to work with the amazing people at GLCU!”