Brett, My recent experience in fundraising for Regards to Rural has been that banks have a couple of ways of funding. The larger banks have a corporate giving program - many with on-line applications, and they give through local branches for more local projects.
Your second question, are both local branches and bank corporate giving offices both requried to give under the community reinvestment act, is a very good question. I’m not entirely sure, but it seems that all banks are part of the community reinvestment act (CRA) ruling. I’ve found each bank to be different in how they approach their giving through the CRA.
What I’ve started doing is first to research the bank on-line. I see what I can find on their website. I look at thier “About Us” section or “Community Giving” and learn what their giving goals are and if we might fit into them. I also look for information on their local branch policies. Some banks are smaller and do not have a corporate giving office; they strictly give smaller amounts in their local branch communities.
If you have a bank in mind, check out their website or call them and ask who to talk to about their community giving programs. If the person doesn’t know about that ask to speak to the branch manager. If you do business with a local bank, start there. Ask to meet with one of the managers or their community giving person and talk with them about your project or organization.
Meanwhile, I’m going to research a bit more about the CRA and get back to this forum on what I find.
Keep up the Good Work! Kim
