Independent Bank concluded their 2017 donation campaign, Investing in Communities, in November with four local military non-profit organizations each winning $5,000. Throughout the year, employees donated $1.50 every Friday to wear jeans, and the Bank matched those donations for a total of $80,000 for 2017. 16 different non-profits were each awarded with $5,000 to put toward their mission. The campaign included four phases throughout the year, and was designed to help local organizations that help our communities in a variety of ways—by feeding, protecting, housing, and serving community members.
The final phase of the campaign focused on serving our communities, with veterans programs, military outreach groups, and active duty support services being the benefiting organizations.
The public had the opportunity to nominate a local military non-profit November 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 26 qualified non-profit organizations nominated, and just over 10,000 votes cast during the fourth phase. The voting period took place November 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 military non-profit organizations were:
- American Legion Post 491 – Ingham County
- Liberty Trailer Project – Ionia County
- Rolling Thunder Michigan Chapter 4 – Muskegon County
- Yellow Ribbon Guard – Saginaw County
The 12 other non-profit organizations that each received $5,000 for receiving the most votes in their respective phases throughout 2017 were:
Phase One – Feeding our Communities
- 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
Phase Two – Protecting our Communities
- Amazing Grace Animal Rescue – Saginaw County
- Humane Society of West Michigan – Kent County
- Michigan Pit Bull Education Project – Oakland County
- Saginaw County Animal Care and Control – Saginaw County
Phase Three – Housing our Communities
- City Rescue Mission of Saginaw – Saginaw County
- Communities First, Inc. – Genesee County
- Community Home Solutions – Bay County
- Hope 101 Ministry, Inc. – Newaygo County
“Investing in our local communities throughout 2017 was a wonderful experience for Independent Bank and our employees,” said Tricia Raquepaw, Senior Vice President of Marketing. “Giving back to organizations that feed, protect, house, and serve our communities has been more rewarding than we could have ever expected.”
Equal Housing Lender