Seeking to promote education and job opportunities, Provident Bank Foundation (PBF) gave grants last month to two Jersey City and one Bayonne not-for-profit organizations. PBF awarded $25,000 for certain projects and programs as part of its 2016 major grants initiative.
These included the Bayonne Educational Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of Jersey City, and Hudson Community Enterprises.
“We have three priorities: community enrichment, education and helping youth and family.” – Jane Kurek
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The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the bank.
Since its inception, the foundation has granted more than $21million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities.
“We have three priorities,” said Jane Kurek, executive director of the Provident Bank Foundation. “Community enrichment, education, and helping youth and family. When you look at these grants, two go to programs for education and the other for community enterprise.”
The Bayonne Education Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of education in Bayonne schools by broadening the educational experience, encouraging and supporting community-wide interest and involvement, and fostering and promoting innovative programs. The $5,000 grant will support seventh grade students from the Bayonne School District with the opportunity to continue their education in science and mathematics in the summer months through Proyecto Science.
The Boys and Girls Club’s mission is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. The $7,500 grant will support a new program entitled “Summer Brain Gain (SBG)” which will provide engaging, educational activities along with summer camp experience for youth ages 6-18.
Hudson Community Enterprises creates employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment by giving them a chance to succeed and improve the community, one person at a time. Funding totaling $5,000 will support the creation of 32 new jobs in the Hudson Community Enterprises’ social enterprise business or in the private sector. Grants are awarded in amounts between $5,000 to $25,000 to help local groups.
Kurek said Provident Bank has a focus on Hudson County because the bank started here about 177 years ago.
“The application process is very structured and looks for groups that fit our vision for the community,” she said. “We are very proud to have started in Jersey City. We never forget our roots.”
Local history, doing local good
Founded in 1839, Provident bank had offices in Temperance Hall in Jersey City with about 200 accounts. The bank’s first deposits were put in tin cans.
The bank later opened an office at 239 Washington St. in 1890 (a building that still exists), later opening its first branch office on Bergen Avenue in 1910. In 2014, the bank had more than 77 branches throughout New Jersey as well as $7.5 billion in assets.
The bank and its foundation complement each other in their vision for the community, its officials say.
“We try to be diverse with our grants depending on the need,” Kurek said.
Provident as a bank is trying to maintain itself as a community-based funder at a time when the banking industry is undergoing massive changes.
“We’ve always been community-oriented, but we have to grow,” Kurek said.
She credited Chris Martin, chief executive officer of Provident, for maintaining growth while still retaining the community traditions.
“If you walk into one of our banks there is always coffee waiting,” Kurek said. “While we have to maintain advances in technology, customers are greeted by a human being. It is a tough balance.”
The foundation in giving grants to local groups helps maintain the bank’s commitment to the community.
“These grants are part of the first cycle for 2016,” she said. “We’re now reviewing for the second cycle. We have 60 requests for the first cycle, and we funded 25.”
For additional information regarding the grant process and deadlines for each of the funding opportunities and information about PBF, visit http://www.ProvidentNJFoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.