Moreover, this April's Youth Month theme is "Credit Union Strong" and focuses on financial fitness. If you aren't already doing financial literacy outreach at your credit union (or want to expand in April), here are a few ideas:

• Hold a Financial Reality Fair.

• Utilize Biz Kid$ – hold a screening, a piggy bank hunt and more.

• Host a savings challenge.

We are also inviting credit union organizations to hold a "Financial Fitness Day" fundraiser on April 6, 2016 to kick off National Credit Union Youth Month. This initiative will raise funds for the Foundation and state credit union foundations in support of their financial education initiatives.

To participate, credit union organizations should hold a Jeans or Casual Day fundraiser for staff on April 6. The campaign website can be found at financialfitnessday.com.

In addition to a Financial Fitness Day fundraiser or a financial education event, April is a good time to take a look at your philanthropic and community outreach efforts as well. The National Credit Union Foundation recently released a new toolkit for credit unions, a Credit Union Philanthropy & Foundation Toolkit, to assist staff looking for information and resources about charitable and outreach activities, operating or starting their own foundation, and more.

Be sure to think about how your organization can do the most to advance people's financial lives through your charitable giving. One way to think about your credit union's charitable endeavors is to think about the strategic plan for giving. As not-for-profit financial institutions, each credit union's focus is on the member's financial life and well-being. When you think about your credit union's philanthropic efforts, think about how those efforts connect to improving consumers' financial lives. You will have the most impact when you link your credit union's mission and vision with local and national charities or charitable efforts that help advance your institution's mission.

Sustained, authentic and consistent philanthropy is what sets credit unions apart from other financial institutions. If done right, your credit union will be seen as a financial well-being leader in the community and a trusted community partner that members see as more than just their "bank."

Financial education and community support are natural extensions of the credit union philosophy. In fact, they're embedded in the cooperative principles of education, training and information, and concern for community. Credit unions were born to help their members and the communities they serve.

Don't think your efforts are for nothing. We have work to do. In fact, in a keynote speech given last year during a Pensions & Investments conference, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, "If our young people aren't financially literate, we are part of the problem, not part of the solution." Thank you for being part of the solution.

Gigi Hyland is executive director for the National Credit Union Foundation. She can be reached at 202-824-6282 or [email protected].