Pledged Member Deposits
Pledged Corporate Deposits
Donated Capital
POTENTIAL IMPACT (S&L)

Our Vision
Our Vision is to Empower Communities through Financial Transformation.

Our Mission
Our mission is to empower the multicultural communities of Minneapolis, along with our family and friends, by:
- Promoting Financial Literacy: Equipping members with practical tools and proven strategies to make informed financial decisions and achieve lasting stability.
- Providing Affordable Financial Services: Offering tailored solutions that repair banking inequity among underrepresented communities.
- Fostering Homeownership: Creating pathways to homeownership as a cornerstone of financial stability and community development.
Headley Williamson - Founder
Shares how Tribe FCU started
20 years ago when our families were struggling with bills, Headley Williamson (founder) read Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover and started to follow the Seven Steps of Financial Freedom (7SFF).
Headley then realized that if he could control interest rates with a credit union, he could accelerate his family’s financial freedom.
Carlisha Lyles - case study
Single mom of 3 shares her story
2010
- Renter, $10,000 car loan at 26%
- 600~ credit score
2023
- Home owner, 252K mortgage at 2.85%
- 700~ credit score
Jose Williamson - Founder
Shares Our Vision for Thriving Communities
Jose Williamson is a husband and father to four amazing children. He is an invested community tennis leader and member and has lived in the Kingfield neighborhood his entire life. José is also the founder and Executive Director of Shining Stars Tennis in Minneapolis.
DONATE
Donate to support the start-up operating costs for Tribe FCU.
Kindly, fill out this form with your details and under “Organization Name” type ” Tribe Federal Credit Union “.
We appreciate every dollar gifted to empower our community!
Our Creed
- Fair Compensation, Sustainable Growth: All Salaries are no higher than upper middle class range. By setting a limit on our salaries, we will be able to have sustainable growth safeguarding the long-term prosperity of our members and the communities we serve.
- Responsible Lending Practices: We provide financial services that empower our members while minimizing risk. We will keep interest rates no higher than 8% above prime rate in most circumstances, and will never go above 12% above the prime rate across our products. Promoting affordability and accessibility to credit.
- Promoting Financial Literacy: We believe that knowledge is power. Through education initiatives and resources, including the principles of financial freedom outlined by Dave Ramsey’s 7 Steps, we empower our members to make informed financial decisions and achieve their goals.
- Community Engagement: By giving back to our communities and supporting local initiatives, we create opportunities for collective growth and prosperity, enriching the lives of everyone we touch. We are committed to give 10% of our post operational net earnings back to the community yearly in charitable gifts.
- Transparency and Accountability: We operate with transparency and accountability in all our dealings, earning the trust and confidence of our members through honest communication and responsible stewardship of their resources. We will perform at least one audit every year.
- Continuous Improvement: Once a month we will conduct an iterative process where each board member participates in a retrospective. Where we ask: what is working, what is not working and what needs to change. We are committed to implementing changes that are the outcome of the retrospective in order to continue to improve the credit union.
Rationale and Urgency for Support of Tribe
In today’s diverse society, there remains a significant gap in financial services that are attuned to the specific needs and challenges of multicultural communities, including Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and other underrepresented groups. While many financial institutions cater to the majority, they often overlook the unique cultural sensitivities and financial challenges faced by these communities.
Tribe Federal Credit Union is committed to filling this gap by providing inclusive financial services that promote economic equity and social justice for all underserved populations. Minnesota, in particular, has a rich tapestry of cultural diversity, yet lacks sufficient financial institutions that understand and prioritize the needs of its diverse population. This lack of representation has perpetuated financial disparities, including low home ownership rates, and vulnerability to predatory lending practices.
We believe that every community deserves access to fair, transparent, and culturally sensitive financial services. Tribe FCU will directly address the financial challenges faced by these communities who have been historically marginalized and underserved. By offering low-interest loans, financial literacy programs, and proactive customer support, we aim to empower our members rather than penalize them.
Call to Action
We seek the support of foundations and individuals who are dedicated to fostering economic inclusion and social justice across all communities. Your funding will enable Tribe FCU to expand its reach and impact, providing much-needed financial services and education to multicultural communities throughout Minnesota. Together, we can break down barriers to financial success and build a stronger, more equitable future for all.
Capital Contributions and Support $600K Goal
Contributor | Amount |
SFI Members | $510 |
Board of Directors | $50,000 |
Blaze Credit Union | $25,000 |
The Hayes Fund of the Minnesota Women’s Foundation | $50,000 |
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union | $150,000 |
Headley Williamson Gift | $167,000 |
Community Development Revolving Loan Fund Urgent Need Grant | $7,500 |
McKnight Foundation Letter of Support, August 23, 2024 | |
Dave Larson, CEO Affinity Plus FCU, Joins as Mentor, August 12, 2024 | |
Bridget Petersen, Blaze Credit Union AVP, Joins as Mentor, September 10, 2024 | |
Marcia Lewis, Blaze Credit Union Regulatory and Efficiencies Consultant, Joins as Mentor, September 12, 2024 |
Goal $600K

DONATE
Donate to support the start-up operating costs for Tribe FCU.
Kindly, fill out this form with your details and under “Organization Name” type ” Tribe Federal Credit Union “.
We appreciate every dollar gifted to empower our community!