The mission of Bank of the West's Charitable Investments Program is to help meet the needs of the communities we serve by supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving quality of life, particularly for low- and moderate-income individuals and communities.
Investment requests are granted based on the nonprofit organization's ability to meet the Bank's charitable giving criteria, as well as availability of charitable funds. Although there are more deserving charitable organizations in all of our communities than the Bank is able to support, the Charitable Investments Program makes every effort to assist as many qualifying nonprofit organizations as possible.
Bank of the West's charitable investments are limited to public, nonprofit charitable organizations and agencies that are exempt from federal taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. High priority is placed on grants that benefit low- to moderate-income individuals and communities.
Recipient nonprofit organizations must:
- Serve our geographic areas
- Fit within our charitable giving categories
- Operate as an equal opportunity employer
- Be governed by a board of directors
- Demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability
Funding Exclusions:
- Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
- Individuals
- Fraternal or alumni organizations
- Political Action Committees, political candidates, causes or organizations attempting to influence legislation
- Capital campaigns
- Trips or tours for individuals and groups
- Talent and beauty contests
Bank of the West actively grants charitable investments in the communities we serve, which includes the following counties in these 19 states:
Bank of the West Charitable Investments program accepts letters of inquiry from nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life, particularly for low- and moderate-income individuals and communities in following charitable giving categories:
- Financial education and management training programs
- Job training and vocational programs, including literacy and basic-skills education, for low- to moderate-income adults
- Creation, preservation or rehabilitation of affordable housing
- Homeownership and credit counseling programs for low- to moderate-income individuals
- Financing services and technical assistance programs for small businesses and farms
- Asset creation and preservation programs for low- to moderate-income individuals
If your program is selected for future consideration, you will be contacted to complete a full on-line grant application.
