Valuable Partnerships
Artisans' Bank has a strong tradition of supporting our community through corporate contributions and employee volunteer efforts. Additionally, the Bank offers programs and loans specifically designed to assist low- to moderate-income individuals as part of its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) initiatives. Both the Community Programs and the CRA Programs work together to provide Delawareans with valuable partnerships with the Bank and their local community.
The Bank regularly offers sponsorship/grant opportunities and hears requests for funding. Fill out the form within the Request for Funding block below and we will be happy to consider your request.
Community Programs
Artisans' Bank Associates support a number of volunteer programs with their time and talents and are encouraged to volunteer with non-profit agencies and organizations that support our community. Volunteer partnerships have included building homes for Habitat for Humanity, preparing meals for children and their families at Ronald McDonald House, teaching inner city children the importance of saving as part of the National Teach Children to Save Day, collecting food or household items for a variety of local non-profit agencies, and providing gifts as part of the Salvation Army's efforts to serve local families during the holidays.
Our Marketing and Community Relations Officer manages requests for contributions, sponsorships, and volunteer programs. The Bank funds these contributions though its annual operating budget and does not maintain a foundation or endowment fund. To submit a grant or capital campaign request, please write to us at our corporate address and include the information you feel is important to be considered. We will do our best to consider your request in a timely manner.
For more information about Artisans' Bank community involvement and corporate giving, please contact the Marketing and Community Relations Officer, Jennifer Paige, at 302-884-6818 or email her at jpaige@artisansbank.com.
Request for Funding - Grants and Sponsorships
Interested in sponsorship opportunities for your organization?
Artisans’ Bank wholeheartedly supports giving to nonprofit and service organizations within Delaware and our closest neighbors. These organizations are dedicated to improving communities, enhancing educational access, and fostering a spirit of inclusion and diversity, aligned with the Bank’s mission.
OUR AREAS OF FOCUS
We are pleased to provide sponsorships and charitable donations to initiatives that are innovative, creative, and sustainable. Additionally, we understand the value of small charitable work and aim to support nonprofit organizations that focus on:
We are pleased to provide sponsorships and charitable donations to initiatives that are innovative, creative, and sustainable. Additionally, we understand the value of small charitable work and aim to support nonprofit organizations that focus on:
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Artisans’ Bank is dedicated to backing events, initiatives, and activities that enhance the quality of life in Delaware. We encourage cultural diversity and nurture civic leadership. Moreover, we take pride in endorsing community programs that enhance the well-being of Delaware residents, including those that offer access to food and clothing for individuals with limited means.
Our organization provides support to social services entities that contribute to the improvement of health, education, and quality of life, as well as those that offer crucial services to individuals and families with low to moderate incomes. We take great satisfaction in collaborating with programs and organizations dedicated to providing essential services to families.
Our organization provides support to social services entities that contribute to the improvement of health, education, and quality of life, as well as those that offer crucial services to individuals and families with low to moderate incomes. We take great satisfaction in collaborating with programs and organizations dedicated to providing essential services to families.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
We are committed to enhancing the standard of living and economic prosperity for the people of Delaware. We actively seek out partnerships with organizations that drive community growth and foster business development. Artisans’ Bank proudly provides support to nonprofit organizations that offer technical assistance or loan programs for small businesses in low- and moderate-income areas, as well as those that support small businesses employing low- and moderate-income individuals.
EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT
Artisans’ Bank is committed to making a positive impact in our communities by supporting financial literacy and educational programs. We are dedicated to championing initiatives that provide mentorship, workforce development, and internship opportunities across the diverse communities of Delaware. By investing in these initiatives, we aim to empower individuals and contribute to the overall growth and prosperity of our communities.
Artisans’ Bank is committed to making a positive impact in our communities by supporting financial literacy and educational programs. We are dedicated to championing initiatives that provide mentorship, workforce development, and internship opportunities across the diverse communities of Delaware. By investing in these initiatives, we aim to empower individuals and contribute to the overall growth and prosperity of our communities.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Artisans’ Bank is committed to supporting nonprofit organizations that provide housing counseling, transitional housing, and credit counseling assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals in Delaware.
Sponsorship / Grant Limitations
Artisans’ Bank supports qualified nonprofit organizations that are invested in improving communities, fostering a spirit of inclusion and diversity, and whose focus aligns with our transformational vision. We will not provide funding to the following types of organizations, programs or activities:
Artisans’ Bank supports qualified nonprofit organizations that are invested in improving communities, fostering a spirit of inclusion and diversity, and whose focus aligns with our transformational vision. We will not provide funding to the following types of organizations, programs or activities:
- Individuals
- Organizations outside of our footprint or areas of focus
- Debt reduction
- Direct religious programs
- Endowments
- Political causes, candidates, organizations or campaigns
- Organizations must represent that their programs and activities for which they seek funding do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.
Approval
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
CRA Programming + Loan Products
Many of the following CRA loan products require additional support and are not intended for direct to consumer use. For more information, please contact our CRA Officer, Joel Schiller, at 302-884-6566, or email him at jschiller@artisansbank.com.
Homeownership Program
The Bank offers low- and moderate-income first-time home buyers a slightly reduced interest rate with no bank application fee. The discount is offered to low- and moderate-income homebuyers and for properties in low- and moderate-income census tracts. The Bank participates in the FHLMC Home Possible programs, the FHLB Pittsburg First Front Door settlement assistance program, and offers both FHA and VA mortgages, which are attractive to first-time home buyers. The Bank offers a variety of adjustable-rate and conventional financing and sells the majority of these loans servicing released to FHLMC or US Bank. Please contact our Residential Lending department at 302.884.6868 for details of our homeownership initiatives.
Credit Builders Loans
This consumer loan product assists borrowers in accruing the savings necessary for a home purchase down payment or personal savings needs. Proceeds from a consumer loan of $500 to $2,000 are deposited into an Artisans’ Bank Credit Builder Savings account that secures the loan. Borrowers repay the loan over a twelve-to-twenty-four-month period, from their monthly cash flow, while strengthening their credit ratings. More recently, the Bank's Credit Builder program was expanded to assist borrowers in establishing or improving their credit score. As this is not a direct-to-consumer product, applications for Credit Builder loans must come from a participating local agency who can provide the client technical assistance needed to ensure success.
Small Dollar Loans
Artisans' Bank offers a low interest, no fee, micro-loan program for the working poor, as an alternative payday or title lending. The Bank and participating agencies will approve small dollar loan requests from $300 to $2,000 to assist consumers through temporary hardships, while strengthening their credit ratings with the consumer reporting agencies. This is not a direct-to-consumer product, and clients must be referred to the Bank by a participating local agency (see below) who will provide the technical assistance needed to ensure customer success.
Deposit Products:
The Bank supports several no or low-cost savings products for low- and moderate-income consumers. Applications for the Bank's Easy Access and Free Savers products may come from any consumer. Applications for our other CRA deposit products must come from a participating local non-profit agency (see below) who will provide the technical assistance needed to ensure success.
Easy Access Accounts
Artisans' Bank supports the national BankOn initiative to provide safe, affordable, and functional bank accounts. Our Easy Access Account is a non-interesting bearing, low cost, checkless checking account with no overdraft or NSF fees. The account offers a VISA check card and access to the Bank's free online banking, mobile banking and bill payment services. The account has a low $ 3 monthly service charge which is waived each statement cycle with either an ACH Credit or Debit or a $300 average daily balance. The account also offers up to 4 free money orders per month to facilitate bill payment. Transactions which would normally incur an overdraft or NSF fee are returned or declined with no bank fee.
Free and Group Savers Accounts
Free and Group Savers Accounts are designed as an entry-level savings account for consumers who are unfamiliar with bank products. These accounts earn a premium rate of interest and have no minimum balance requirements or monthly services fees. Group Savers accounts must be opened via a referral from a participating community service agency (see below) who will provide the technical assistance to ensure success.
Individual Development Accounts
The Bank is able to support individual development “matched savings” account (IDA) programs offered by local participating agencies. IDA participants save for home ownership, micro enterprise development, or continuing education and receive a private or public sector savings match if they meet their personal savings goals. Individual Development Accounts must be opened via a referral from a participating community service agency. At this time, the Bank is not aware of any active IDA programs in the State of Delaware.
Bank at School Accounts
The Bank supports the University of Delaware's Bank at School program by offering savings accounts to students. We proudly support this program by offering on-site banking services at the following schools: Odyssey Intermediate, Caravel Academy, W. Reily Brown Elementary, Holy Angels Academy, Linden Hill Elementary, Lancashire Elementary, Lord Baltimore Elementary, and David Robinson Elementary schools. For more information on the Bank at School program, please contact the UD Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship at 302-831-2559.
Approved Community Agencies
If you would like to join the Bank’s list of approved community agencies who offer our CRA programs, we'd like to talk with you. Please contact our CRA Officer, Joel Schiller, at 302-884-6566, or email him at jschiller@artisansbank.com.
We can help you achieve home ownership!
Your success is our top priority, and we are dedicated to helping you every step of the way.