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Four non-profits were awarded $5,000 for receiving the most votes in Investing in Communities contest
Independent Bank kicked off their 2017 donation campaign, Investing in Communities, in March with four local food non-profit organizations each winning $5,000. Throughout the year, employees are donating $1.50 every Friday to wear jeans, and the Bank is matching those donations for a total of $80,000 for 2017. 16 different non-profits will each win $5,000 to put toward their mission. The campaign includes four phases throughout the year, and is designed to help local organizations that help our communities in a variety of ways—by feeding, protecting, housing, and serving community members.
The first phase of the campaign focused on feeding our communities, with food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens being the benefitting organizations. The public had the opportunity to nominate a local food non-profit March 1-8, 2017. Qualification criteria included a non-profit’s location being in a county that Independent Bank serves, or within 10 miles of a Michigan branch or loan production office, as well as it being considered a 501(c) non-profit organization. There were a total of 54 qualified non-profit organizations nominated, and just under 31,000 votes cast during the first phase. The voting period took place March 15-29, 2017. Eligible voters had to be 18 years or older with a valid Facebook account, and be a resident of Michigan for the votes to qualify. Voters were able to vote once per day for the entire voting period.
The winning food non-profit organizations were:
- Livonia Kids and Families – Wayne County
- The Pantry at Rives – Jackson County
- Pinconning Area Emergency Food Pantry – Bay County
- Shared Blessings Food Pantry – Huron County
“At Independent Bank, giving back to our communities is one of our highest priorities,” said President and CEO, Brad Kessel. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to help organizations that are truly making a difference every day.”
Phase two of Investing in Communities will take place in June, benefitting local animal non-profit organizations, with protecting our communities as the focus. Visit IndependentBank.com/Investing for Official Rules and to learn more.
