The 2024 Sunflower Bank Community Partner Award winners have been decided. This year, community nominations doubled and 19 organizations were recognized. These awards recognize outstanding individuals and organizations in Sunflower Bank and First National 1870 communities through grants of $2,000 to $15,000 that total $80,000.
In, 2023 a Community Partner Award program was established, donating $80,000 to outstanding individuals and organizations within communities served by Sunflower Bank.
"Sunflower Bank is built on a culture of community," said Mollie Carter, executive chairwoman at Sunflower. "We believe that our communities have the ingenuity, drive and resources necessary to grow. Since we are deeply involved in our communities, we make connections that make a difference.
"Everything we do as an organization should have a positive impact on the people with whom we interact. With our mission statement, we affirm our commitment to align our business with our customers, communities, and fellow employees. At Sunflower Bank, we embrace this statement to reflect our dedication to our customers and the communities we serve."
Upward Bound of Barton County is a 2024 receipient of a $15,000 Community Partner Award. Upward Bound provides support to 60 high school students across Sunflower Bank communities to help them succeed before college, be prepared for college entrance, and excel in their higher education pursuits. Serving low-income students and those whose parents do not hold a bachelor's degree, the program provides instruction in math, science, composition, literature, and foreign languages. Upward Bound students have access to tutoring, mentoring, financial literacy education, and assistance with accessing Federal Student Financial Aid, as well as support for facing unique challenges such as homelessness or being in foster care.
Sunflower Bank employees and other community members in qualified counties of Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Washington submitted nominations for award consideration between July 30 - Aug. 23, 2024.
Organizations receiving the most nominations were placed on an employee ballot. Nominees receiving the greatest number of employee votes in each market received a corresponding award.