Local nonprofit representatives joined Montecito Bank & Trust associates for a twist on the bank’s annual Anniversary Grants reception on Wednesday, as the 29th Anniversary Grants event was held virtually for the second year in a row.
“There is no better way to start our anniversary celebration than by recognizing our associates — the heart of our bank,” MB&T Chairman/CEO Janet Garufis said. “Even in the midst of a global pandemic, they found ways to volunteer more than 5,000 hours in 2020 serving on boards, teaching financial literacy and helping nonprofit organizations that have provided critical support to the basic needs of our community during this time. I am so proud! Today, we not only celebrate them, we also celebrate the incredible nonprofits that they have hand-selected for this special anniversary tradition.”
Montecito Bank & Trust associates shared their personal connections to the nonprofit recipients, and the lively chatroom banter persisted throughout the event, congratulating and thanking the nonprofits, cheering on fellow associates and providing a chance for all to reconnect.
Late founder Michael Towbes created Montecito Bank & Trust’s Anniversary Grants program in 1993 to celebrate the bank’s anniversary by giving back. He wanted bank associates to have a say in the direction of the bank’s corporate giving and to celebrate the exceptional volunteer service they give back to Central Coast communities.
All Anniversary Grants recipients were hand-selected by bank associates after they campaigned, rallied and voted for the organizations that mean so much to them. Nonprofit recipients received a check for $2,000 and a short promotional video showcasing each organization’s extraordinary work.
For the second year, the Jerry Parent Anniversary Grants Legacy Award was presented to an organization that made a significant and sustainable impact on the community. This year’s recipient was the Family Service Agency.
The 2021 Anniversary Grants recipients:
» Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo
» Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Barbara County
» Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
» Hillside House
» Rich at Heart
» Salvation Army/Santa Barbara Corps
» Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society/Dog Adoption Welfare Group (DAWG)
» Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program
» Solid Foundations
» The Grace Fisher Foundation
Click here to watch the Anniversary Grant promotional videos.
Montecito Bank & Trust is the oldest and largest locally owned community bank in the Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Founded in 1975, the bank celebrated its 46th anniversary on Wednesday and operates 11 branch offices in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Solvang, Montecito, Carpinteria, Ventura, Camarillo and Westlake Village.
Montecito Bank & Trust has a history of unwavering corporate philanthropy in the local communities it serves, annually donating $1.5 million and volunteering more than 5,000 hours to nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
The bank offers a variety of competitive deposit and lending solutions for businesses and consumers, including business loans and lines of credit; commercial real estate finance; SBA loans; mortgage loans, consumer loans; credit cards; merchant services; and online services, including mobile banking and cash management. Its Wealth Management Division provides comprehensive trust services and full investment management for all branch office markets. The bank has earned 21 Best Bank awards in the last eight years, in addition to numerous accolades for Best Mortgage and Best Financial Services Company in Santa Barbara, Best Investment Company in Santa Ynez Valley and the #1 Best Bank to Work For in California (American Banker Magazine).
— Jamie Perez is the marketing manager for Montecito Bank & Trust.