Florence Bank Awards $150,000 to 40 Local Nonprofits at its 24th Annual Customers’ Choice Community Grants Event

40 organizations across the Pioneer Valley came together Tuesday night at Florence Bank’s annual Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program reception to network and accept a total of $150,000 in awards.

The annual event took place at the Garden House in Look Park in Florence. Recipients praised Florence Bank not only for its generosity but also for providing a space to celebrate area nonprofits and their dedication to the community.

“Our Customers’ Choice Community Grants program is very unique, as it gives a voice to our customers and their preferences on where we allocate the grants,” said President and CEO Matt Garrity. “We enjoy having the chance to connect with each of them and are proud to support the work they do for our communities.”

The grants program was founded in 2002 and, through it, Florence Bank customers are invited to vote for their favorite local nonprofit in hopes it will receive a share of grant funding.

Voting takes place all year long, online at florencebank.com/vote and in bank branches, and each customer has only one vote. To qualify for a community grant, organizations must receive at least 50 votes. In 2025, over 7,500 votes were cast, making 40 nonprofits eligible for a grant.

Out of the 40 nonprofits, there were five first-time recipients including Anne T. Dunphy School, Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity, Northampton Cycling Club, Northampton Musical Booster Club, and Williams-Boltwood Project.

Once again, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Chicopee received a $5,000 grant, as it has for the past six years. The nonprofit has received a Customers’ Choice grant each of the 24 years the program has been offered.

“We are grateful to Florence Bank and its customers for their ongoing support through the Customers’ Choice Program. This important grant helps the Food Bank and our partners provide food to people facing hunger across Western Massachusetts,” said Jillian Morgan, Director of Development for the Food Bank. “We are honored to be among the many organizations supported through this meaningful program.”

In addition to Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, these organizations received a $5,000 grant: Amherst Survival Center, Cancer Connection in Northampton, Dakin Humane Society in Springfield, Easthampton Community Center, Friends of Forbes Library in Northampton, Friends of Northampton Legion Baseball, Friends of the Williamsburg Library, Goshen Firefighters Association, It Takes A Village in Huntington, Northampton Survival Center, Our Lady of the Hills Parish in Haydenville, Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School in Hadley, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Florence.

Visit florencebank.com/cc-2026 to view the complete list of grant recipients.