Raleigh – In a significant boost to public service initiatives, the SECU Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to the Lead for North Carolina (LFNC) fellowship program with a generous $1 million grant. This funding will empower the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill’s School of Government to place up to 150 SECU fellows in paid local government positions over the next five years.
The LFNC program, which was launched in 2019 with the Foundation’s initial support, seeks to cultivate a new generation of leaders dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of local governments across the state. By recruiting, training, and placing emerging leaders in impactful fellowship roles, the initiative aims to strengthen communities and foster a culture of public service.
“Lead for North Carolina is an incredible program, and we couldn’t be more pleased to champion the efforts of the UNC School of Government with our grant,” stated Mona Moon, a board member of the SECU Foundation. “LFNC SECU fellows are passionate about public service and committed to uplifting the work of local governments and the communities they serve.”
The Foundation’s recent grant is poised to double the number of fellows placed in high-impact positions, building upon the success of the program which has already seen over 100 young leaders assigned to 90 organizations throughout North Carolina.
Dylan Russell, Executive Director of LFNC, highlighted the transformative impact of the program: “Much like SECU Foundation’s model of ‘the power of a dollar,’ collectively and cooperatively, each Lead for NC fellow is making a positive transformation on North Carolina.” He emphasized the tangible achievements of the program, including the establishment of 125 new partnerships and the securing of over $100 million in grants. “These young professionals are actively increasing the capacity of local governments, and together we are creating the next bench of civic leaders in North Carolina. This state is better because of their work and because of SECU Foundation’s investment in this program.”
The SECU Foundation, a not-for-profit entity funded by the contributions of SECU members, has a rich history of supporting community development throughout North Carolina. Established as a financial cooperative 87 years ago, SECU has grown to become the second largest credit union in the United States, serving over 2.8 million members with assets totaling $56 billion. The Foundation’s commitment to high-impact projects spans multiple sectors, including housing, education, healthcare, and human services. Since its inception in 2004, it has allocated more than $258 million to initiatives benefiting residents across the state.
As the SECU Foundation continues to champion the Lead for North Carolina program, the partnership underscores an enduring commitment to fostering civic engagement and enhancing the capabilities of local governments. By investing in the leaders of tomorrow, the Foundation is laying a foundation for impactful public service in North Carolina.
For more information about the SECU Foundation and its initiatives, please contact Jama Campbell, Executive Director, at secufoundation@ncsecu.org.