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Primary Area of Impact: Economic Development, Poverty Alleviation
Geographic Areas Served: United States
Year Founded: 1993
Website: www.hopecu.org
Overview
Hope Enterprise Corporation (HEC) is a not-for-profit Community Development Financial Institution with a mission of strengthening communities, building assets and improving lives in economically distressed communities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, by providing access to affordable, responsible financial products and related services.
HEC is the primary sponsor of Hope Credit Union (HCU), a low-income designated credit union that serves 32,000 members within the same geographic footprint. Collectively known as HOPE, HEC and HCU provide a range of financial services that support jobs, housing, community, infrastructure, access to responsible banking services and that address socio-economic challenges confronting the region and its low-income residents. Since 1994, HOPE’s efforts have generated over $2 billion in financing and benefited more than 650,000 individuals in distressed communities throughout the Mid South. HOPE bolsters its impact through policy analysis and advocacy in the areas of financial inclusion, family economic security, and other issues that affect low-wealth and traditionally disenfranchised individuals.
Accomplishments
- One of only 16 credit unions in Mississippi to earn the Mississippi Credit Union Association’s (MSCUA) Advocacy Award
- Winner of the John P. McNulty Prize: Aspen Global Leadership Network
- Ernst & Young National Supporter of Entrepreneurship
- Co-op America Building Economic Alternatives Award
- National Community Reinvestment Coalition James Leach Award
- Credit Union Times Serving the Underserved Award
