Sembrando Sueños con NLCUP: Inclusiv
We are grateful to Inclusiv for their continued partnership with NLCUP and for their support of the sold-out NLCUP 2026 Conference. Their commitment helps create the space for meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and collaboration among credit union professionals and allies coming together in Long Beach. As a national organization dedicated to advancing economic justice and financial inclusion, Inclusiv’s work closely aligns with NLCUP’s mission to uplift communities and invest in leaders who are shaping a more equitable financial system. Together, we share a belief that lasting change begins when people, purpose, and opportunity are intentionally brought together.
Below, the Inclusiv team shares how Sembrando Sueños shows up in their work and vision for the future.
Intro & Mission
Inclusiv’s mission is to help low- and moderate-income people and communities achieve financial independence through credit unions. Founded in 1974, Inclusiv is a CDFI intermediary and national network of community development credit unions (CDCUs).
We support CDCUs with capital investment, innovative financial products, training and technical assistance, and advocacy.
What dreams or goals is your organization currently “planting” in the community?
Inclusiv supports credit unions in achieving our shared mission and our vision is that:
Credit unions reach and serve underserved consumers with products and services that build greater financial security and advance their financial goals.
Credit unions provide affordable homeownership opportunities that support wealth building and thriving communities.
Credit union small business lenders have the resources needed to spur creation of quality jobs through entrepreneurship and worker ownership.
Credit unions empower their communities to access affordable clean energy solutions that drive utility bill savings, create good jobs, and build climate resiliency.
When you think about "Sembrando Sueños", what does that phrase mean to your organization?
For us, it means supporting credit unions build a financial system that works for everyone.
What changes or trends do you see shaping the credit union industry that we should all be paying attention to?
Inclusiv’s member credit unions offer many inspiring examples of how the movement can advance financial inclusion and better serve low-income members, new immigrants, and other people often excluded from the mainstream financial system. This commitment is demonstrated every day and proven by continued interest in CDFI certification, the growth of our Juntos Avanzamos network and the impact of our members in their communities.
Of course, credit unions are facing challenges too, like merger pressures. We are here to support our members and help them navigate the challenges they face.
What leaders or movements inspire your approach to financial inclusion?
The CDCU movement as a whole inspires our work – we have incredible members who are outstanding leaders in our movement. There are too many to name individually!
What lessons have you learned that could inspire future leaders in credit unions and community finance, especially those serving underserved communities?
The power of our movement coming together to organize for our communities. This year has brought new challenges. One big example is the Reduction In Force at the CDFI Fund, but working together we have thus far successfully overcome them.
What do you hope attendees will walk away with from this year’s conference?
We hope they walk away with actionable advice on deepening their impact by expanding inclusive lending in their communities and exploring clean energy lending. We are also hoping our CDFI panel make CDFI and CDFI prospective credit unions feel empowered to take on not only the certification process, but to utilize their CDFI certification to its fullest capacity. The benefits of the CDFI certification extend beyond grant dollars and have proven to encourage a positive impact on lending growth and strategic lending.
This conversation is part of NLCUP’s Sembrando Sueños series, which highlights the leaders and partners shaping the future of cooperative finance through community, inclusion, and shared purpose. These reflections help set the tone for the conversations taking place at the NLCUP 2026 Conference, where credit union professionals and allies come together to learn, connect, and build what comes next.