Business Startup Opportunity

Consumers Cooperative Association is excited to launch its new CCU Business Incubator Grant program to help early-stage startups turn their big ideas into success stories.

The top three applicants will be invited to participate in a live business pitch competition for the opportunity to receive:

• Grand prize: $10,000
• Second prize: $7,500
• Third prize: $5,000
  

Applications open: October 1, 2026
Application deadline: October 31, 2026

Finalists must be available to participate in person at the business pitch competition from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on December 3, 2026, at CCU headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Membership with Consumers Credit Union (CCU) or Consumers Cooperative Association (CCA) is not required to apply. Employees and their immediate family members are not eligible. Applicants and business owners must be at least 18 years of age. Eligible businesses must be located in and actively operating within Lake, DuPage, Cook, Kane, or McHenry counties.

College Level Scholarships

High school seniors graduating in the Class of 2026 and current college students have the chance to earn one of six scholarships.

• $10,000 Bill Reidel Memorial Scholarship. Honoring William “Bill” Reidel, President Emeritus of Consumers Credit Union. Bill served CCU for nearly 40 years, including 25 years as CEO, where his leadership shaped the organization’s culture and deepened its commitment to serving members. His dedication and focus on member-first values continue to influence CCU’s work every day.
• $5,000 Gayhart Silvola Honorary Scholarship. Honoring Gayhart Silvola, Chairman of the Association Board for more than a decade. Gayhart was a strong supporter of member education, especially in financial wellness, and consistently championed efforts that strengthened CCU’s connection to the communities it serves. His leadership and commitment played an essential role in guiding the Association’s mission.
• $5,000 Dorotha Betke Honorary Scholarship. Honoring Dorotha Betke, Treasurer of the Association for more than 25 years. Dorotha oversaw all budgeting, financial statements, and reporting with exceptional dedication during her long tenure. Her steady leadership and selfless contributions were instrumental in shaping the Association into what it is today.
• $5,000 Kathleen Crews Honorary Scholarship. Honoring Kathleen Crews, former President of the Association. Kathleen led the Association during a period of significant change, guiding its development with clarity and purpose. Her leadership at the Annual Meeting, together with her unwavering commitment to growth, resulted in a significant increase in the number of college scholarships awarded and furthered the Association’s mission to support education.
• $2,500 Kaarin Luhtala Honorary Scholarship. Honoring Kaarin Luhtala, Consumers Credit Union Board Member and Treasurer. Serving from CCU’s earliest years, Kaarin helped shape the foundation of the credit union through her leadership on the board and her historic role as one of its first women officers. Elected to a three-year term and later advancing to Board Treasurer, Kaarin’s achievements, while perhaps more commonplace today, were truly progressive for the early 20th century and helped pave the way for greater inclusion.
• $2,500 Ellen Sandvick Honorary Scholarship. Honoring Ellen Sandvick, first woman to lead a financial institution in Lake County when she served as Chairperson of the Consumers Credit Union Board in 1958. Shortly thereafter, she was elected to lead the Lake County Chapter of Credit Unions (later known as the T.W. Doig Chapter), expanding opportunities for women in finance both at CCU and across Lake County. Her leadership advanced the role of women within financial institutions well beyond our doors.

Trade School Scholarships

Student Loan Debt Grant