Here’s a stat that’ll make you do a double-take: CU Strategic Planning just went five-for-five on grant applications for California’s Investment & Innovation Program.
That’s right—a perfect batting average. Every single credit union they helped apply walked away with funding for the 2025-2026 cycle.
And we’re not talking about pocket change here. Altura Credit Union, Financial Partners Credit Union, MERCO Credit Union, SMW Financial Credit Union, and Vida Credit Union each secured $125,396.82—bringing the total haul to over $626,000 that’ll go straight toward serving California communities that need it most.
When Collaboration Actually Works
“We couldn’t be prouder of these credit unions and the work they’re doing in their communities,” said Stacy Augustine, President of CU Strategic Planning (a Callahan company). “A 100% success rate reflects both the strength of these institutions and the power we have to collaborate on telling their stories in a meaningful way.”
And that’s really the key word here: storytelling. These credit unions are already doing incredible work in economically disadvantaged communities across California. CU Strategic Planning’s job? Making sure those stories come through loud and clear in grant applications.
What Is Cal IIP, Anyway?
The California Investment & Innovation Program—Cal IIP for those of us who like our acronyms—is administered by the Capital Programs & Climate Financing Authority (CPCFA) within the State Treasurer’s Office. Think of it as a funding pipeline specifically designed to strengthen Community Development Financial Institutions, or CDFIs.
These grants aren’t just sitting in a bank account looking pretty. CDFIs can deploy them to expand services, beef up operations, supplement their net assets, or create the kind of financial foundation that attracts even more funding down the road. It’s the kind of investment that compounds over time.
The California State Treasurer’s Office released the 2025-2026 awardee list in May 2026, and our five credit unions made the cut.
Why This Matters Beyond the Numbers
“Programs like Cal IIP recognize what CDFI credit unions deliver every day—real access to fair and affordable financial services for people and communities that need them most,” Augustine explained. “We’re grateful to the California State Treasurer’s Office for investing in this work, and we’re honored to partner with credit unions that take their community development mission so seriously.”
Translation: This isn’t about flashy marketing or checking boxes. It’s about making sure people who’ve been locked out of traditional financial services finally get a seat at the table.
A Track Record That Speaks Volumes
CU Strategic Planning isn’t new to this rodeo. The firm specializes in helping credit unions navigate both federal CDFI Fund awards and state programs like Cal IIP. Their expertise in crafting grant narratives—the kind that actually resonate with decision-makers—has helped credit unions nationwide secure more than $1 billion in community development funding.
Yes, that’s billion with a B.
If your credit union is interested in exploring state or federal grant opportunities, CU Strategic Planning can help you figure out how to position your institution for funding success. Because sometimes, you need someone who knows how to tell your story in a way that gets results.
Related:
The AFFORD Act: A Bipartisan Win for Community Development Finance
Senators and credit unions defend the CDFI Fund from Treasury Secretary Bessent