TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.— In response to the flooding that struck Northern Michigan communities this spring, nine area credit unions joined forces to establish the Northern Michigan Flood Relief Fund, a micro-grant program designed to provide direct financial relief to members who experienced hardship as a result of the disaster.
 
The fund was a collaborative effort among the Paul Bunyan Chapter of Credit Unions: 4Front Credit Union, Filer Credit Union, Forest Area Federal Credit Union, Frankfort Community Federal Credit Union, Northwest Consumers Federal Credit Union, Safe Harbor Credit Union, TBA Credit Union, Traverse Catholic Federal Credit Union, and Wexford Community Credit Union — representing thousands of members across affected Northern Michigan communities.
 
Together, the nine credit unions contributed a combined total of $36,500, which allowed for the distribution of 73 micro-grants of $500 each to qualifying members.
 
Eligible members were able to apply for grants to help offset costs related to property damage, emergency expenses, temporary displacement, or income disruption caused by the flooding.
 
“Credit unions were built on the principle of people helping people, and that principle has never been more important than it was during this time,” said David Powell, Mortgage Manager at TBA Credit Union. “The Northern Michigan Flood Relief Fund demonstrated what our region’s credit unions can accomplish when we work together. We wanted our members to know they were not alone in their recovery.”
 
To qualify for a micro-grant, applicants had to be a current member of one of the nine participating credit unions, demonstrate financial impact resulting from the spring 2026 flooding, and reside in an affected Northern Michigan community.
 
Northern Michigan Flood Relief Fund is a Michigan Credit Union League – Paul Bunyan Chapter initiative of 4Front CU, Filer CU, Forest Area FCU, Frankfort CFCU, Northwest Consumers FCU, Safe Harbor CU, TBA CU, Traverse Catholic FCU, and Wexford Community CU.