Florence Bank Awards $150,000 to Nonprofits in Customers’ Choice Community Grants
Summary
FLORENCE In its 21st year, Florence Banks Customers Choice Community Grants Program awarded $150,000 to 46 area nonprofits in honor of the banks 150th anniversary.I know the total we announced we would award this year was $125,000, but I feel like $150,000 would be a more appropriate amount to celebrate the 150 years that Florence Bank has been in existence, President and CEO Matt Garrity said in leading his first Customers Choice celebration on May 16. Its amazing to see so many community organizations being recognized, and the fact that the recognition comes from Florence Bank customers in the form of votes is really special.Garrity handed checks to 46 nonprofit leaders across the region, awarding 13 with $5,000 gifts the most ever granted in 21 years and presenting $500 surprise awards to 10 organizations that fell just short of the required 50-vote count.These organizations received $5,000 grants: Dakin Humane Society, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Amherst Survival Center, Friends of the Williamsburg Library, Northampton Survival Center, Goshen Firefighters Assoc. Spear Memorial Library, $4,064; Northampton Neighbors, $4,064; Springfield Shriners Hospitals for Children, $3,917; Grow Food Northampton Inc., $3,819; Amherst Neighbors, $3,721; Smith Vocational High School PTO, $3,721; Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School, $3,624; Performing Arts Charter School, $3,575; Therapeutic Equestrian Center, $3,575; Kestrel Land Trust, $3,427; Edward Hopkins Educational Foundation, $3,330; Northampton Community Music Center, $3,232; Safe Passage, $3,134; Empty Arms Bereavement Support, $2,987; New Hingham Elementary School PTO, $2,987; R.K. Finn Ryan Road School, $2,889; Whole Children, $2,693; Belchertown K-9, $2,595; Northampton Football League, $2,545; and Tapestry, $2,448.Finally, these 10 organizations received unexpected $500 awards: the Childrens Advocacy Center of Hampshire County, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, Lorraines Soup Kitchen & Pantry, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, Gray House, Holyoke Community College Foundation, Mental Health Assoc. Inc., Springfield Rescue Mission, the Parish Cupboard, and Thomas J. OConnor Animal Control & Adoption Center.Voting takes place all year long, online at www.florencebank.com/vote and in bank branches, and each customer has only one vote. In 2022, roughly 7,000 votes were cast, making 36 nonprofits eligible for a grant; the other 10 funded organizations were invited to attend the event and were surprised with their $500 award.
Funding
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