At Minnesota Credit Union Network’s ACCELERATE 26 Conference, North Star Credit Union was honored with two statewide Elevate Awards in the $100 million to $250 million asset category, recognizing outstanding service, creativity, and community impact across Minnesota’s credit union movement. 

North Star Credit Union received the Outstanding Service & Impact Award as part of the statewide Elevate Awards program, a recognition program celebrating leadership, service, and community impact across the credit union movement. 

The Outstanding Service & Impact Award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate a strong commitment to the credit union philosophy of people helping people through meaningful service to members and communities. North Star Credit Union was selected for its year-long kindness initiative, which highlighted the good that people were doing in the community. 

Over the course of the year-long kindness campaign, North Star Credit Union created meaningful opportunities for students and community members to actively practice kindness, connection, and encouragement in everyday life. 

Through schools, events, and community partnerships, the campaign encouraged participants to recognize the power of small acts of kindness and positive connection. The initiative reached 1,517 students, created more than 1,000 community touchpoints, and inspired hundreds of stories, submissions, and moments of encouragement throughout the region. 

With thousands of people touched through the efforts of the kindness initiative, it reflects the credit union’s dedication to collaboration, service, and improving financial well-being. 

In addition, North Star Credit Union also received the Outstanding Creative Achievement Award as part of the Elevate Awards program, which showcases credit unions and professionals whose work advances the cooperative “people helping people” mission. 

The award recognized North Star Credit Union’s Financial Compass Podcast for its originality, craftsmanship, and strategic impact, demonstrating how Minnesota credit unions are using bold ideas and compelling storytelling to deepen member engagement and elevate the credit union story. The podcast has reached thousands of listeners through meaningful financial conversations and community-focused stories. 

The Outstanding Creative Achievement Awards celebrate marketing that exemplifies remarkable originality and purposeful creativity, honoring campaigns and projects that not only stand out creatively but also advance credit union values. 

“The Elevate Awards shine a spotlight on the exceptional work happening across Minnesota’s credit union community that brings the cooperative spirit of the credit union movement to life,” said Mara Humphrey, President & CEO of the Minnesota Credit Union Network. 

Recipients were recognized during the Minnesota Credit Union Network’s ACCELERATE 26 Conference at the Mystic Lake Center, where credit union leaders and professionals from across the state gathered for The Minnesota Credit Union Event of the Year, featuring three days of inspiration, innovation, and connections. 

About North Star Credit Union 

North Star Credit Union has branch locations in Cook, Duluth, Mountain Iron, and Nashwauk and has proudly served its communities since 1939. Committed to supporting members and strengthening local communities, North Star Credit Union provides trusted financial services while actively investing in community engagement, education, and outreach initiatives across the region. 

About the Minnesota Credit Union Network 

The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the only trade association that champions Minnesota credit unions. We ensure credit union priorities are front and center as we advocate, accelerate, collaborate, and celebrate Minnesota’s thriving credit union system. 

With $43 billion in assets, Minnesota credit unions are local, trusted financial cooperatives that serve nearly 2.2 million members at 401 branch locations, employing 5,828 people around the state. As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions give back to the communities they serve. 

For more information, visit mncun.org.