In this section
The Wasyl Topolnicky Memorial Foundation
Dedicated
to supporting the promotion and advancement of Ukrainian arts, culture,
heritage and education.
Wasyl Topolnicky is the father of the Ukrainian Credit Union movement in Canada. Born in 1893 in Halychyna, Mr. Topolnicky served in the First World War, then studied and developed his natural talent as an economist. He completed courses at Liberce, Czechoslovakia, and graduated with a diploma in economics from the Advanced School of Commerce in Prague.
Mr. Topolnicky arrived in Canada in 1927. Observing the financial difficulties of Ukrainian workers in the cities, and being familiar with the credit union movement, Mr. Topolnicky understood that only mutual assistance and mutual effort could teach these workers to help each other. He firmly believed that by helping their members in everyday life, credit unions also had the chance to form an economic base for the Ukrainian community.
Wasyl Topolnicky was the driving force behind the Ukrainian credit union movement in Canada and the free world. He organized several co-operative initiatives including: the first Ukrainian Credit Union in Canada - "Nova Hromada" (The New Community) in Saskatoon in 1939; Kalyna Co-operative in Winnipeg and several others.
We at Carpathia Credit Union are proud of Mr. Topolnicky's second successful co-operative initiative - the founding of Carpathia Credit Union Limited in 1940.
For his leading role in the co-operative movement, Mr. Topolnicky received several awards including the Ukrainian Canadian Committee's Shevchenko medal and a Community Service Award from the City of Winnipeg.
At the request of Mr. Topolnicky, who passed away in November 1978, the monies of his estate were to be used to support the activities of our community. In order to fulfill Mr. Topolnicky's wishes, the Wasyl Topolnicky Memorial Foundation has now been established and is currently accepting applications for funding from charitable organizations that support the preservation, promotion and advancement of arts, culture, heritage and education.
The Board of Directors and Management of Carpathia Credit Union are honored and proud to be supporters of the Wasyl Topolnicky Memorial Foundation.
Click here to learn about Funding Application Guidelines.
Click here to link to application request forms!
To receive additional information on how to apply for funding or how to make a donation to the Wasyl Topolnicky Memorial Foundation please contact Carpathia Credit Union.
