<![CDATA[ēCO Credit Union Foundation

<![CDATA[ēCO Credit Union Foundation - Blog]]>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:07:34 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Building Financial Foundations with ACES]]>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:19:42 GMThttps://www.ecocufoundation.org/foundationblog/building-financial-foundations-with-aces

The ēCO Credit Union Foundation was excited to spend time with the students at ACES for an engaging conversation about an important part of preparing for the future: financial literacy.

We believe that learning about money should start early. Giving young people the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions can help them build healthy habits that last well into adulthood. During our visit, we introduced the students to several foundational financial concepts and connected them to situations they may encounter throughout their lives. These concepts included checking and savings accounts, budgeting, and needs versus wants. We discussed the importance of understanding where your money goes and making thoughtful choices about how to spend it.

We also emphasized the importance of paying yourself first by setting aside money for savings and building an emergency fund. Even small amounts saved consistently can add up and provide a financial cushion when unexpected expenses arise.

The students also learned about interest, including the difference between earning interest on money you save and paying interest when you borrow. We even gave them a hand’s on look at how to properly write a check, a useful life skill even in today’s increasingly digital world.

Beyond the financial topics, we also talked about the importance of knowing how to write and sign your name. Throughout life, there will be important documents that require your signature, making this a simple but valuable skill to learn early.

This was our first time visiting the students at ACES, and we are excited to continue building this relationship. We look forward to returning often, going deeper into financial topics, and discussing the real-life skills that can help students feel confident as they prepare for their futures.

The ēCO Credit Union Foundation is proud to invest in our young people and help build strong financial foundations, one conversation at a time.

]]><![CDATA[ēCO Credit Union Foundation Awards Grant to A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club]]>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:17:26 GMThttps://www.ecocufoundation.org/foundationblog/eco-credit-union-foundation-awards-grant-to-ag-gaston-boys-girls-club

Chartered in 2015, the ēCO Credit Union Foundation works to promote financial literacy in the communities served by ēCO Credit Union. The Foundation advances this mission through a range of outreach efforts, including classroom seminars, grants, scholarships, and community events. We are pleased to highlight the most recent recipient of the ēCO Credit Union Foundation’s support.

As it marks its 60th anniversary, the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club continues the legacy of Dr. A.G. Gaston by advancing resilience and empowerment through financial education. Rising from humble beginnings in segregated Birmingham, Dr. Gaston believed that education and economic opportunity were key to breaking cycles of poverty. His vision lives on through programs like Money Matters, which provides essential financial literacy and skill development to youth. Grounded in the latest research, Money Matters equips the students with lifelong tools for financial stability and success, ensuring Dr. Gaston’s vision remains both relevant and impactful today.

With the assistance from the ēCO Credit Union Foundation, the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club will expand and enhance its Money Matters program, providing up to 1,000 young people with access to high-quality financial education as the Club grows throughout the Greater Birmingham area.

The A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club was presented with its grant check at the Walter Howlett Clubhouse. The ēCO Credit Union Foundation looks forward to continuing its support of the Club through an ongoing presence, ensuring the Money Matters program is well supported as it works to expand financial literacy across the Greater Birmingham area.

]]><![CDATA[Keep It Real: Navigating Finances with a Bite of Reality]]>Mon, 24 Jun 2024 15:06:32 GMThttps://www.ecocufoundation.org/foundationblog/keep-it-real-navigating-finances-with-a-bite-of-reality

In a world where financial verbiage can seem like a foreign language, it is more important than ever to break down the barriers to understanding money management. During the 2023-2024 academic year, ēCO presented to over 2000 high school seniors in 11 different schools. This presentation included different aspects of financial education for seniors in high school. Our mission is to continue to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate their financial journey confidently. Financial literacy is the foundation of your relationship with money. It is about understanding how money works in the real world, how to manage it, save it, and invest it. But why is it so crucial? Because financial literacy is not just about affording the life you want; it is about creating it. Here is how we do it:

The 'Keep It Real' Approach

Our "Keep It Real" approach is about stripping away the complexity and delivering financial education in a language that everyone can understand. From balancing a budget to understanding interest rates, we are here to provide practical advice that can be applied to everyday life.

Bite of Reality

We're not just talking the talk; we're walking the walk. Our "Bite of Reality" component is about interactive experiences that simulate real-life financial scenarios. Imagine being thrown into a virtual world where you are tasked with managing a budget, dealing with unexpected expenses, and planning for the future — all while navigating the twists and turns of life.

The Impact

ēCO presented to over 2000 high school seniors in 11 different schools. Before and after the simulation, a survey is given to the students. From those responses, ēCO can gauge the effectiveness of the presentation. Let’s take a look at the results from the past school year. After the presentation, 65% “agree” or “strongly agree” they would go to a credit union for financial help. An additional 25% of students promise to make and stick to a monthly budget. Whereas 96% of students said they will now establish a savings goal and prioritize saving for a purchase first. In a comparable trend, 93% of the students who responded to the post-simulation survey say they now want to use an online banking platform or checkbook register to track their finances. In the end, of all the students who responded to the post-simulation, 85% said they understood credit card debt better.

Join the Movement

We're on a mission to change the face of financial education, and we want you to be a part of it. Whether you're a student, a teacher, or just someone who wants to get a better handle on your finances, join us in making financial literacy a priority. Together, we can demystify the world of money and make financial success a reality for everyone. If you would like to donate to the ēCO Credit Union Foundation; please visit www.ecocufoundation.org. Want ēCO to present to your class? Send us an email at marketing@ecocu.org.
Let's keep it real and take a big bite out of reality!

]]><![CDATA[Financially ‘LIT’ eCO Credit Union Foundation Grant]]>Mon, 28 Sep 2020 20:31:04 GMThttps://www.ecocufoundation.org/foundationblog/financially-lit-eco-credit-union-foundation-grant

The eCO Credit Union Foundation was chartered in 2015 to help spread financial literacy in the communities served by eCO Credit Union. Throughout the years, the Foundation has accomplished this mission through a variety of outreach, including classroom seminars, grants, online programs, and even a financial conference. We are excited to share more about the most recent recipient of the eCO Credit Union Foundation’s outreach.

Beverly Morse has taught for a number of years; after joining the Jefferson County Schools system this year, she learned about the eCO Credit Union Foundation Grant program and quickly applied. She wants to implement a program in her classroom called “Financially ‘LIT.’” As a teacher at Erwin Middle School, a Title 1 School, she wants to give her students the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty.

The program will involve a variety of components. Some of the focuses include budgeting, checking accounts, and identifying money. She plans to add a “Transformation Room’ where students will be able to purchase from a café, clothing shop, and grocery store.

Ms. Morse was presented with the grant check at eCO Credit Union’s Clay branch. The eCO Credit Union Foundation also plans to partner with her to offer classroom seminars for her students.
Thank you for championing financial literacy, Mrs. Morse! We look forward to seeing how your students are impacted by your passion for financial education.

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