The Coop Foundation Announces $55,000 in Grants

capeandcoastbk on December 11, 2019

Left, Jim Kiley, President, Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod; Right, Paul Bober, Member of the Board of Directors, Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod.

Lisa Oliver, President and CEO of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, stands with Jim Kiley, left, President of the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod, and Paul Bober, member of the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod, at the Dec. 6 reception for grant awardees.

The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod Charitable Foundation Trust is pleased to announce $55,000 in grants to local organizations for the final quarter of the year. These grants cap The Coop Foundation’s inaugural year of giving, a year in which The Foundation awarded $180,000 to twenty-two non-profit organizations Cape-wide.

From support to families and children to supporting educational and healthcare opportunities, The Coop Foundation is proud to provide funding to the following organizations:

The Boys & Girls Club of Cape Cod received a grant of $5,000 for their After School Teen Program. The Teen Program served 441 teens in 2018, with an average daily attendance of 47 teens a day in winter, with Friday night’s attendance running between 80 to 200 teens who come for special Friday programs. For every $1 invested in the Boys & Girls Clubs in Massachusetts, $9.60 is created in lifetime economic benefits for our young members, their families, and the wider community due to decreased juvenile crime, teen births, increased graduation and employment rates, and financial support for parents.

Cape Cod Community College Educational Foundation received a grant of $50,000 over 5 years, with $25,000 coming from The Coop Foundation and $25,000 coming from additional funding at The Coop. This grant will go towards the Campaign for a new Science and Engineering Center at Cape Cod Community College. A new state-of-the-art Science and Engineering Center will provide the resources needed to make a significant impact on student outcomes and their job readiness in existing and emerging fields.

Outer Cape Healthcare Services received a grant of $25,000 over 5 years for their Enhancing Spaces, Impacting Lives campaign for their new Harwich Port Health Center. As a community health center, OCHS works to ensure that those who live here year-round have access to quality health care, whether they are working, raising families, or retired. Relocating and expanding the existing undersized Harwich facility a mile away has enabled OCHS to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community by providing new and essential services to more people.

Whelden Memorial Library is local treasure in the West Barnstable community, serving the residents with a safe gathering place for community groups, in-person resources and assistance, access to online resources and CLAMS catalogue, educational events, and a variety of classes. After sustaining significant water damage from winter storms last year, the Library is embarking on a campaign to update the drainage system of the building. The Coop Foundation awarded the library its first community Match Grant and will match funds raised in the community to help restore the building.

Additionally, the Bank donated $1,000 from funds outside of The Coop Foundation to the Takeaway Meal Program and Paper Pantry at St. David’s Episcopal Church. This program is open to all in the community and provides free personal hygiene products not covered by other assistance programs. In addition, patrons of the Paper Pantry receive a free nutritious meal to take home to their families.

“This was a tremendous inaugural year for The Coop Foundation,” said Lisa Oliver, President & CEO of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod and Chair of The Coop Foundation Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the board and the entire team at The Coop Foundation, it is our distinct honor to support these local organizations that are working tirelessly to meet the fundamental needs and challenges of our friends and neighbors on the Cape.  We look forward to many more years of helping to cultivate vibrant and thriving communities.”

Launched in December 2018, The Coop Foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that enhance quality of life through programs and initiatives that meet the fundamental needs of people in the communities the bank serves. The Foundation’s mission is to cultivate vibrant and thriving communities and seeks to partner with organizations working in the fields of economic development and self-sufficiency, community vitality and sustainability, thriving youth and families, education and learning, and health and human care.

Learn about The Coop Foundation and Apply for Grants

The Coop & Habitat for Humanity Helping Local Families Secure Homes

capeandcoastbk on March 25, 2019

Helping Local Families Secure Homes

An Important Partnership

The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod is helping local families secure homes through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

The Coop is providing home financing for two families moving into new homes in Marstons Mills. The homes, located on Dickinson Drive, were built by community volunteers, local families and donors from Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod.

“A home is where families grow, memories are made and possibilities arise. But sadly, not everyone has a safe, healthy place to call home. Instead, many Cape Codders struggling to get by, forced to live in substandard housing,” said Charlotte Green, Residential Mortgage Sales Manager, Officer. “The Coop believes everyone deserves decent, affordable housing on Cape Cod. That’s why Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod and The Coop are partnering together to provide financing for families in Marstons Mills.”

Added Victoria Goldsmith, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod: “We are thrilled to have The Cooperative Bank join us as an important partner to the success of this project. Their participation as mortgage lender increases our capacity to offer the opportunity of affordable home ownership to more local families.”

Home Dedication

A home dedication and open house will be held on April 9th at 4 PM to welcome the families into their new homes. The community is welcome to attend.

 

Help More Local Families Secure Homes on The Cape

The Coop Foundation Announces Grants Totaling $75,000

capeandcoastbk on March 8, 2019

foundation grants collage of signature images representing beneficiary organizations

Seven New Grant Recipients

The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod Charitable Foundation Trust announced that it will award grants totaling $75,000 to local organizations for the first quarter of the year, with an initial $62,500 to be awarded this month.

Grants for the first quarter of 2019 ($25,000 over two years, and an additional $30,000 in sponsored events over the next 3 years) were awarded to:

Investing in a Thriving Community

“These awardees provide much needed services to the Cape Cod community,” said Lisa Oliver, President and CEO of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, and President of The Coop Foundation Board of Trustees. “We are thrilled to invest in their efforts through the Foundation.”

The Coop Foundation was launched as an extension of the bank’s long-standing charitable giving programs. “We’ve given back to the community throughout the Bank’s 98-year history. Creating the Foundation solidifies our commitment to invest the communities we serve in perpetuity,” added Oliver. “We look forward to supporting the work of numerous local organizations through grants in the years ahead.”

“We are so grateful to The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod Charitable Foundation Trust for their generous donation to help serve more kids with a mentor,” said JR Mell, Regional Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands. “We are honored that the Foundation has invested in our next phase of strategic growth with a multi-year commitment to our mission. This gift enables us a solid foundation to support the next 3 years of defending potential for under-resourced families right here on Cape Cod.”

Added Wendy Cullinan, Director of Resource Development, Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod: “We are delighted and deeply appreciative that The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod Charitable Foundation Trust has made such a significant donation to the Rotary’s Campaign to raise $100,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod. We rely on the support of our community to serve our mission and this is community at its best.”

About The Coop Foundation Trust

Launched in December of 2018, The Coop Foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that enhance quality of life through programs and initiatives that meet the fundamental needs of people in the communities the bank serves. The Foundation identified five core areas of impact that will be considered for grants initially.  They include economic development and self-sufficiency, community vitality and sustainability, thriving youth and families, education and learning, and health and human care.

The Coop Foundation solidifies and formalizes The Coop’s commitment as a mutual bank to give back to the community, earmarking funds for philanthropy that won’t decrease according to the bottom line, but increase as the assets of the Trust grows. The Coop Foundation serves as an extension of the Bank’s current community giving program by enhancing and expanding it.

For more information on the Foundation and how to apply for a grant:

Charitable Giving

30 Guys in 30 Days-Big Brothers Big Sisters of CC&I

capeandcoastbk on March 5, 2019

30 Guys in 30 DaysAfter a successful start last year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands is relaunching its “30 Guys in 30 Days” campaign. The agency is seeking to recruit more men on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard to support the high demand for mentors.

JR Mell, the organization’s regional director, said “It is a misconception that being a mentor is a huge commitment. We ask for volunteers to commit to a minimum of a year with a child in the community, meeting them two to three times each month for a few hours each time doing activities that you’d probably already be doing and enjoying. All of the bigs that I have talked to who have come forward and joined find that it’s very, very manageable. They feel like they almost get more out of it than the kids do, but it is a very rewarding volunteer opportunity on both sides.” Even though the minimum commitment for volunteering is one year, Mell says that most matches will continue as a lifetime friendship when the child outgrows the program. Mell volunteered as a big brother for close to ten years and feels that it’s the most rewarding thing that he has ever done.

A need for male ‘bigs’

Finding male mentors continues to be the biggest need for the organization. For every one girl who is referred or signed up for the program there are four boys. On the volunteer side, for every male volunteer who signs up there are four women who become mentors. “We are left with this large imbalance that we are trying to address with this campaign,” Mell said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters currently has 80 youth on a wait list for mentors with 63 percent of them being boys.  The “30 Guys in 30 Days” campaign was started last year as the wait list for boys had really grown. “We found it to be really successful in the community.” The campaign will be promoted across the region through digital videos and in-person events to show men what it means to be a mentor with the organization. The enrollment team, which matches bigs with littles, get to know volunteers as a person and match them with children who have similar interests.

Many other community organizations already come forward to help with the campaign. Barnstable Police Officer and Big Brother Corey Frederickson, Cape Cloth’s Founder Sean Fitzpatrick, and Peter Rice with the Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod and a Big Brother will all be featured in video clips highlighting the need for male volunteers. You can watch Peter’s video below.

Cape Cod Young Professionals and The Entrepreneurial Networking Group of Cape Cod will partner with the agency at their March events to help raise awareness and recruitment opportunities for potential volunteers.

Interested volunteers can learn more at www.bbbsmb.org/cape-cod/.
Groups or organizations who may want to help the agency with the campaign should contact Mell at jrmell@bbbscci.org or by calling 508-771-5150 extension 101.


 

Cape Cod’s Best 2019 – Vote for the Coop!

capeandcoastbk on March 1, 2019

Thank you to all of our customers and friends that have supported us.

We are honored and humbled to be nominated as one of Cape Cod’s Best 2019 in Cape Cod Times’ Community Choice Awards

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If you would like to continue your support, The Coop has been nominated in the following categories:
Cape Cod's Best of the Best Vote for Us
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Local Services:
People & Places: 
Vote for The Coop, and tell your family and friends!
If you vote in more than 25 categories, you’ll be entered in a sweepstakes to win $250! Votes can be placed between March 1st and March 24th.
It’s easy to do. Simply choose a category, place your vote and fill in your email address.
Continue and complete the registration form.

Coop Team Members Appointed to Local Board of Directors

capeandcoastbk on February 15, 2019

smiling staff from The Coop

Left to right: Laurie Maul, Kirsten Wickson, Charlotte Green

As a community bank, we take pride in the role we play on Cape Cod by helping our friends and neighbors achieve their financial goals and dreams. But, we do so much more than that. We support hundreds of nonprofit organizations, sponsor events, and volunteer for local charities. To that end, we would like to honor and congratulate a few of our employees who volunteer their time and were recently appointed to serve on a nonprofit board of directors.

WE CAN

Laurie Maul, VP and Human Resources Manager, was appointed as the Personnel Committee Chair to the WE CAN Board of Directors. Laurie joined WE CAN because she has long admired the organization’s ability to provide women with dignity and support as they develop the necessary skills to turn their unique challenges into opportunities for growth and empowerment.

Cape Cod Center for the Arts

Kirsten Wickson, the Bank’s CRM Administrator joined the Board of Directors for the Cape Cod Center for the Arts, the organization that oversees the Cape Playhouse in Dennis Village. The playhouse has undergone significant changes over the past few years and Kirsten is excited to help them as they unfold their strategic plan, which includes launching a capital campaign to update the aging buildings.

Cape Cod Young Professionals

Charlotte Green, our Assistant Residential Mortgage Sales Manager, was appointed to the Cape Cod Young Professionals Board of Directors this month. CCYP connects Cape Cod’s emerging workforce and community leaders, engages them in the community, and supports their efforts to advance, personally and professionally. The Coop has been a Premier Sponsor of the organization for over 6 years and we’re glad to continue to give back to the organization through volunteer support as well.

We’re proud to support the communities where we live and work and grateful for the Positively Different people who work for us!

Jeans Day Employee Charitable Giving Program #CharityJeansDay

capeandcoastbk on January 12, 2019

The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod Jeans Day

Employees of The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod wearing Yarmouth Police Foundation’s Thin Blue Line t-shirts during the special #CharityJeansDay benefiting the family of fallen Yarmouth Police Sergeant Sean M. Gannon.

The impetus for #CharityJeansDay created in 2009, was to give employees an opportunity to create some good for the local community in a fun and engaging way. We really wanted to design a program that the employees could “own.” This program is completely managed by employees. A great side-benefit is we get to dress more comfortably and casually a couple of days each month…the banking industry, as you know, is pretty conservative!

How it works:
Every other Friday, all employees at The Coop are given the option to wear jeans to work. That includes employees in the executive offices and on the front lines in the branches. The only requirement is that the employee has to make a minimum donation of $5 to the Jeans Day fund.
Every other week, a charitable organization is designated as the beneficiary. The organizations are nominated by employees and selected by the employee-based Jeans Day committee. The only criteria for nominations is that the organization be affiliated with Cape Cod and a registered 501(c)3.

Why it works:
Employees appreciate the opportunity to dress more casually at work on a Friday, but also love the chance to support local non-profit organizations in our community. Because the employees help choose the organizations that benefit, they feel invested in the program. This is truly an employee-owned program that’s a win for everyone!

Who it helps:
The organizations we’ve supported range from small groups that fly under the radar to well-known programs like “Stuff a Bus” and “Be a Santa To a Senior.” It also gives us an opportunity to respond to tragedies that unexpectedly impact our community. After the tragic death of Sgt. Sean M. Gannon, for example, our employees initiated a special Jeans Day and raised $2,270 for The Cape Cod Foundation in care of Sgt. Gannon’s family.
With more than half of our employees participating on a regular basis, and often donating more than the $5 minimum, we’re on track to hit our goal of raising $25,000 in 2018! That includes a pledge from the Bank to match up to $500 of each Jeans Day donation.

 

For more on The Coop’s #CharityJeansDay:

 

Want to help?

To learn more about some of the organizations we’ve helped through our #CharityJeansDay program, you can visit their websites below:

 

Headshot of Johanna Zarra, Residential Lending Sales Assistant

 

My name is Johanna and I’m part of the Residential Mortgage team at The Coop. I’m also part of an internal team that’s been running a very cool employee program – “Charity Jeans Day.”