NorthCountry Federal Credit Union Announces $20,000 Grant to Rhino Foods Foundation
South Burlington, VT — March 17, 2025 — NorthCountry Federal Credit Union (NorthCountry) is proud to announce a $20,000 grant to the Rhino Foods Foundation in support of the Income Advance program—an employer-sponsored financial wellness solution that has helped thousands of Vermont workers access safe, affordable emergency credit.
This new grant continues a longstanding partnership dating back to 2007, when Income Advance first began as an innovation created within NorthCountry. Over the past 17+ years, the collaboration between NorthCountry and Rhino Foods Foundation has grown into one of Vermont’s most successful financial inclusion initiatives.
“Income Advance started at NorthCountry, and our partnership has been instrumental not only in expanding access through NorthCountry’s own lending, but also in helping grow the program to other lenders in Vermont and across the country,” said Christina Blunt, Executive Director of the Rhino Foods Foundation.
• Since inception, NorthCountry supported lending has delivered more than 12,000 safe emergency loans totaling over $16 million.
• In 2025 alone, NorthCountry issued over $1.7 million in Income Advance loans to more than 1,200 workers, helping prevent financial emergencies that can destabilize households.
• NorthCountry serves more Vermont employers and originates more Income Advance loans annually than any other lending partner in the state.
The program has become a model for expansion nationwide. Rhino Foods Foundation notes that the partnership with NorthCountry has directly influenced national adoption, including recent expansion all the way to San Diego, where Dr. Bronner’s partnered with Mission Federal Credit Union to offer the program to its workforce.
“This program is a powerful example of what long-term, values aligned partnership can achieve,” said NorthCountry’s Senior Vice President of Lending, Jeff Smith. “Rhino Foods Foundation has created a model that improves financial stability, strengthens businesses, and supports community resilience. NorthCountry is proud to continue being the anchor institution of this work.”
This new grant continues a longstanding partnership dating back to 2007, when Income Advance first began as an innovation created within NorthCountry. Over the past 17+ years, the collaboration between NorthCountry and Rhino Foods Foundation has grown into one of Vermont’s most successful financial inclusion initiatives.
“Income Advance started at NorthCountry, and our partnership has been instrumental not only in expanding access through NorthCountry’s own lending, but also in helping grow the program to other lenders in Vermont and across the country,” said Christina Blunt, Executive Director of the Rhino Foods Foundation.
A Proven Impact Across Vermont
With NorthCountry as its largest and longest standing lending partner in the state, Income Advance has delivered measurable and powerful results:• Since inception, NorthCountry supported lending has delivered more than 12,000 safe emergency loans totaling over $16 million.
• In 2025 alone, NorthCountry issued over $1.7 million in Income Advance loans to more than 1,200 workers, helping prevent financial emergencies that can destabilize households.
• NorthCountry serves more Vermont employers and originates more Income Advance loans annually than any other lending partner in the state.
The program has become a model for expansion nationwide. Rhino Foods Foundation notes that the partnership with NorthCountry has directly influenced national adoption, including recent expansion all the way to San Diego, where Dr. Bronner’s partnered with Mission Federal Credit Union to offer the program to its workforce.
Building Toward a Strategic Tipping Point
Research shows that when an innovation reaches 25% adoption, it becomes normalized and self-sustaining. Currently, 8–9% of the Vermont workforce has access to the Income Advance program as an employee benefit. NorthCountry’s continued investment and partnership is helping push the state closer to the Foundation's tipping point goal.“This program is a powerful example of what long-term, values aligned partnership can achieve,” said NorthCountry’s Senior Vice President of Lending, Jeff Smith. “Rhino Foods Foundation has created a model that improves financial stability, strengthens businesses, and supports community resilience. NorthCountry is proud to continue being the anchor institution of this work.”