2024 has been an even more remarkable year for us, filled with an incredible array of community events, fundraisers, runs, bike rides, and so much more! We are thrilled to have helped even more people and initiatives, further strengthening our communities and continuing to work alongside fantastic partners and non-profits across Niagara and Haldimand.
This year, we took things a step further with our PenFinancial Truly Local Grant Program, now in its second year. We were able to award a total of SIX grants to local non-profit organizations, helping them make a lasting impact.
We are beyond proud of the difference we’ve made in 2024, and it’s all thanks to the unwavering generosity of people like YOU, as well as our dedicated community partners. Here’s a glimpse of some of the amazing things we’ve accomplished together this year!
Volunteer hours served in the Niagara & Haldimand regions. Every PenFi employee is encouraged to complete at least one volunteer activity in their community as part of their Truly Local Commitment goal.
in TLA donations made. Every year, we make a charitable donation of $200 on behalf of each of our employees to reward their volunteerism and community involvement!
our staff members have volunteered their time with over 70 non-profit and community organizations in Niagara, Haldimand and the surrounding area
in additional donations raised through Branch fundraisers. Our PenFi branches actively participate in a variety of community building events and fundraisers all year round.
in Corporate Donations
in Bursaries
in Truly Local Grant Funding
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Our employees are the best, and we’re so proud to shine a light on this year’s Truly Local Ambassador Award winner, Darren DiMarco.
Earlier this fall, Darren was selected by his peers to receive the Ken Janzen Truly Local Ambassador Award. This recognition is awarded to an employee of PenFinancial who goes above and beyond through their personal contribution of volunteering their time to a charity or non-profit in the Niagara or Haldimand regions. The recognition includes a donation of $2,000 in the winner’s name to a charity or charities of their choice.
Darren is involved in many community initiatives and chose to split his donation between Julia’s Hope Cup ($1,000), Hotel Dieu Shaver ($500) and Plymouth Public School’s Breakfast Program ($500). Darren is deeply committed to his community and proud to support Welland, the city he was born and raised in. Julia’s Hope Cup is a perfect fit for his passion for both Welland and hockey. Having gone to Notre Dame High School with Julia, this event holds a special place for him. After participating last year, he’s excited to join again and support such a great cause.
It’s an honour to recognize the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, who received a $25,000 grant from EQ Bank’s Empowering Your Community grant program. PenFinancial applied for the grant on behalf of FENFC’s Grow Program, which received a Truly Local Grant of $8,000 in 2023.
The $25,000 will enable the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre to expand the scope of the Grow program, reaching more participants and enhancing the resources available to them. This funding will provide garden beds, accessible pathways and beds, a seed library, Indigenous guest speakers and workshops, and a student part-time job to learn about gardening, sustainability, and Indigenous Resurgence and Resilience.
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In addition to investing a portion of our profits back into the community, we’re committed to sustainability, too! We proudly choose 100% renewable energy for all of our locations through our partnership with Bullfrog Power.
We also care about our people. We are proud to be the first financial institution in Niagara to be recognized as a Living Wage Employer by the Ontario Living Wage Network.
And last but not least, we’re proud to be B Corp certified. This means we demonstrate high social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency to all stakeholders.
