For the last 13 years, BankGloucester has run its “Banking for the Community Program,” which incentivizes local charities and foundations to solicit votes to compete for funding. The organization able to get the word out and get the most votes, wins the most amount of BankGloucester’s money.
This year, the bank reported that 87 local organizations received votes in its program. 21 of them will receive a combined total of $25,000. In all, participating charities received close to 10,000 votes from supporters in the last three months.
Cape Ann Animal Aid received the most votes and was awarded $5,000. The organization receiving the second most votes was The Open Door who received $4,000. The organization with the third most votes was Generous Gardeners receiving $3,000. Both the Backyard Growers and Ipswich Humane Group / Animal Shelter received $2,000 each and Gloucester Education Foundation and Wellspring House received $1,000 each.
The following organizations received $500 each: Schooner Adventure, Seaside Sustainability, Action Inc., SeniorCare Inc., Essex Shipbuilding Museum, Care Dimensions, Rose Baker Senior Center, Three Sisters, Ipswich Caring, Essex Senior Center, Ipswich Dinner Bell, Friends of Manchester Council on Aging, Education Foundation Rockport and Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra was our write-in winner.
“We’re grateful to be in a position where we are able to continue this important community-wide program, particularly through the pandemic,” said Patrick Thorpe, president and CEO of BankGloucester. “We are fortunate to be part of a great community that truly cares about each other, and we are happy to join them in support of so many deserving organizations that have made such a positive impact on our community.”
Community votes determined how the funds were distributed. Votes were cast through the bank’s website or via paper ballot at its Gloucester, Essex and Ipswich branch locations. There were 20 organizations featured on the ballot and write-ins were welcomed. This year, one write-in organization was a winner.
BankGloucester is a $330 million state-chartered mutual bank has been serving Gloucester and its neighboring communities since 1887.
