For the second year, Notre Dame Federal Credit Union (FCU) and USC Credit Union (USCCU) have agreed to “battle” in a $10,000 Charity Challenge. Each credit union has donated $5,000 towards the contest, and the winner takes all for the charity of their choice. The credit union that receives the most auto loan applications leading up to the Notre Dame vs. USC football game on November 29 receives $10,000 for their charity. Notre Dame is hoping to donate the winnings to the Kelly Cares Foundation, a breast cancer awareness organization co-founded by University of Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly and his wife, Paqui, who is a breast cancer survivor.

“This positive competition will have a great outcome no matter who wins because both credit unions are helping community organizations in need of support,” stated Notre Dame FCU President/CEO Tom Gryp, a 1979 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. “Notre Dame Federal Credit Union’s members and staff are proud to step up and help a good cause, and just like the Notre Dame USC football rivalry, we are here with a good attitude and focus about winning this year!”

Gryp said that the Notre Dame FCU staff is very involved in participating in this spirited competition, sharing the contest details with members, and tracking the daily update to see which credit union is ahead on the scoreboard. A football helmet trophy representing both colleges with a history of football game wins and losses sits atop the teller line at the main campus branch as inspiration. Gryp encourages all Notre Dame fans who are in the market for an auto loan to go to NotreDameFCU.com/BeatUSC to find out more about the Kelly Cares Foundation, apply for an auto loan, and help out with the cause. If USCCU wins the challenge, they will donate the winnings to USC Good Neighbors. It provides financial support to university-community partnerships between USC faculty and staff and local nonprofit organizations that have a visible, positive impact on the neighborhoods surrounding the University Park and Health Sciences campuses. As part of this compettition, the two credit unions have also created a traveling trophy that celebrates the 85-year football rivalry. Named the “Tradition Never Graduates” trophy, it resides with the credit union of the school that won the latest gridiron contest. For the past year, the trophy was proudly displayed in the Notre Dame FCU corporate office, celebrating the 14-10 victory of the Fighting Irish over the Trojans in last year’s game. About Notre Dame Federal Credit Union Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Notre Dame, Indiana, is a not-for-profit financial cooperative. With assets of nearly $470 million, Notre Dame FCU’s dedicated partners (employees) provide a wide array of financial empowerment services to its nationwide network of over 58,000 members through its virtual branch network (Shamrock Center), a robust online banking and mobile app platform, and nine physical branches located in the greater South Bend area. About Kelly Cares Foundation The Kelly Cares Foundation was established by the Brian and Paqui Kelly family to support organizations, initiatives and programs that closely align with the goals and values of the Kelly family. A strong emphasis has been made on three main pillars: Health, Education, and Community. To accomplish its mission, Kelly Cares emphasizes: (1) Health, through promoting breast cancer awareness, supporting those in need, funding valuable research, and encouraging prevention; (2) Education, by funding educational research and supporting institutional advancement at all levels and capacities; and (3) Community, strong communities are a direct result of active participation on the part of their citizens. The Foundation supports projects and initiatives that encourage the engagement of individuals in their local communities. Find out more at kellycaresfoundation.org.