September 16, 2025

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation (DDF), the philanthropic arm of MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), recently awarded $30,000 in grants to Chicago Voyagers, Concordia Place, the Mosaic Film Experience, Racquet Up Detroit, and the Zekelman Holocaust Center.

“We are proud to announce a new round of grants to support community-based nonprofits that are driving meaningful change through the arts, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship,” said Rebecca Surian, Foundation Executive Director. “These nonprofit organizations exemplify dedication and innovation, and we are confident these funds will help amplify their efforts and deepen their impact in our communities.”

Established in 2019, the Foundation is committed to partnering with donors to empower transformational change to make a sustainable difference in our communities. This mission is advanced through strategic investments in five philanthropic pillars — The Arts, Entrepreneurship, Financial Education, Stable Housing, and Youth Empowerment. During the third quarter of 2025, the following nonprofit organizations were awarded grants in support of their work across these pillars:

Chicago Voyagers ($5,000)

Region: Chicago

Pillar: Youth Empowerment

This grant will support Chicago Voyagers’ general operating expenses for outdoor youth development programming. Chicago Voyagers serves more than 250 youth annually, many of whom face poverty, trauma, or special education needs. Chicago Voyagers uses experiential learning to build resilience, self-confidence, and emotional well-being. Programs such as hiking, biking, canoeing, and multiday adventure trips are provided at no cost and led by trauma-informed staff. The organization partners with schools and community organizations to reach youth who benefit most from these transformative experiences.

“We’re so grateful to the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation for its recent grant of $5,000 to support our work making the outdoors accessible to underserved youth throughout the Chicagoland area,” said Bernie Rupe, Executive Director. “Thanks to this generous gift, Chicago Voyagers can continue providing young people with the resources and tools needed to thrive. We truly could not do this work without the support of groups like the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation and their commitment to making strong and vibrant communities.”

Concordia Place ($5,000)

Region: Chicago

Pillar: Entrepreneurship

This grant will support Concordia Place’s Ruckus Entrepreneurs program, which empowers more than 60 Chicago teens to gain real-world business experience. Through hands-on learning, participants research, create, and sell natural body care products while developing financial literacy, marketing, and customer service skills. The program fosters entrepreneurial confidence, teamwork, and social responsibility, helping teens build a strong foundation for future success.

“We are thrilled to receive this transformative grant from the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation as this investment directly supports equipment upgrades for our Ruckus Entrepreneurs program, where high school students gain real-world business experience by creating, branding, and selling natural body care products like soap and lip balm,” said Max Friedland, Director of Teen Programs. “These upgrades signal to our students that their work matters, and their entrepreneurial dreams deserve professional-quality resources.”

Moasic Film Experience ($5,000)

Region: West Michigan

Pillar: Youth Empowerment

This programmatic grant will support the Mosaic Film Experience’s Career Pathways program, which provides middle and high school students with hands-on learning in creative and digital fields. The program develops skills in storytelling, videography, and digital literacy while introducing students to career opportunities in media and technology. By focusing on under-resourced schools, Mosaic helps empower youth with tools for success in today’s evolving workforce.

“We are grateful for the support of the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation,” said Skot Welch, Founder and President. “This grant helps us continue expanding our year-round Career Pathways program, giving more students opportunities to build creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills for career preparedness. Whether they pursue careers in creative and digital industries or any other field, these skills provide a strong foundation for success.”

Racquet Up Detroit ($5,000)

Region: Southeast Michigan

Pillar: Youth Empowerment

This grant was awarded to support Racquet Up Detroit’s Pathways to Success program, a year-round initiative that helps Detroit youth in fifth through 12^th grades, as well as post-secondary alumni, overcome barriers to education, wellness, and economic opportunity. Through academic tutoring, squash, career exploration, and long-term mentorship, the program provides consistent support that helps students build confidence, pursue education, and prepare for future success.

“We’re grateful for the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation’s support as our students build the skills to thrive in education, careers, and life,” said Rosemary O’Connor, Executive Director.

Zekelman Holocaust Center ($10,000)

Region: Southeast Michigan

Pillar: The Arts

The Zekelman Holocaust Center received a grant to support Rise, an original rock musical performed to a sold-out audience on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. The production tells the powerful stories of female Jewish resistance fighters in Eastern Europe during the Holocaust, highlighting their roles as couriers and spies. It blends music and narrative, offering a compelling arts experience that preserves history and elevates voices often left untold.

“The Zekelman Holocaust Center is deeply grateful to the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation for supporting Rise: The Musical and for their ongoing commitment to Holocaust education,” said Liz Pingtella, Senior Events Manager. “This powerful production tells the story of courageous Jewish women whose acts of resistance shone brightly during the Holocaust, brought to life through the energy and defiance of a rock-driven musical score. We are proud to share their stories with audiences in southeast Michigan and hope attendees leave inspired to confront antisemitism in all its forms.”

MSUFCU and Oakland University Credit Union members can support the Foundation and these organizations through a charitable contribution to the Foundation or through the quarterly Desk Drawer Foundation Raffles. The $20 raffle tickets are available for purchase at any Credit Union branch in Michigan. A portion of the funds is awarded to one lucky member each quarter (up to $20,000!), and the remainder of ticket sales revenue is invested in the communities the Credit Union serves through Foundation grants. Members can purchase tickets for the third-quarter raffle beginning July 7 through Sept. 5, 2025; visit DDF Raffle for more information.

For more information on the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation and to donate, visit deskdrawerfoundation.org, call 517-333-2299, or email deskdrawerfoundation@msufcu.org.

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ABOUT THE MSUFCU DESK DRAWER FOUNDATION

The MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation was established in 2019 to partner with donors to empower transformational change to make a sustainable difference in our communities. The Foundation provides meaningful grants to nonprofits whose work impacts their clients and patrons within five philanthropic pillars ― The Arts, Entrepreneurship, Financial Education, Stable Housing, and Youth Empowerment. To date, more than $3 million has been granted. Among other sources, income is generated through employee contributions, organized fundraisers, new/existing credit union members, and the quarterly DDF Raffle. For more information, visit deskdrawerfoundation.org.

ABOUT MSUFCU

Founded in 1937, MSUFCU has a national reputation for excellence and has received several top industry and workplace awards. MSUFCU has been certified as a Great Place to Work^® for 11 consecutive years and has been recognized by the Credit Union National Association, earning first place for the people-helping-people philosophy Louise Herring Award. The Credit Union operates an award-winning, wholly owned credit union service organization, Reseda Group; along with digital financial platforms AlumniFi, Collegiate, and Pillur Business Banking; trade name Oakland University Credit Union; and its foundation, the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation. MSUFCU is headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan; and has 36 branches; more than 370,000 members; $8.26 billion in assets; and 1,200-plus employees. For more information, visit msufcu.org.