First Merchants’ commitment to our communities is at the heart of what we do – and the backbone of that commitment is our dedication to service and volunteerism.

On National Non-Profit Day, we want to take a moment to share the many ways in which our employees partner with non-profit organizations or choose to give back to their communities.

“We know that one of the best ways to create a good employee experience is to offer meaningful volunteer opportunities with non-profits, boards, and other organizations our team members can feel good about supporting,” said Amanda Phebus, Corporate Social Responsibility Officer with First Merchants Bank. “Their passion for improving the communities we serve is a testament to First Merchants Bank and the care we have for our neighbors.”

Whether it’s building a house with Habitat for Humanity, stocking shelves in a food bank, or serving on local non-profit boards, First Merchants encourages its team members to go “all in.” It’s a mindset that hasn’t gone unnoticed. Lisa Pacula, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, said it’s what first attracted her to First Merchants.

“I spent 18 years in non-profit leadership but joined First Merchants because it offered me the chance to positively impact multiple organizations,” Lisa shared. “First Merchants Bank creates time and space for teammates to serve their community with organizations that spark their passion. The bank’s focus on serving the underserved and under-resourced strikes me as true servant leadership, and I am so proud of the culture we have here – that we work to do the right things for the right reasons to help our communities prosper.”

Our executive team actively encourages employees to volunteer with their communities, and continuously seeks out new partnerships with non-profits in our service areas. These organizations are often pivotal resources to those in low- and middle-income communities, providing necessary services and support – goals that align with First Merchants’ own values.

It’s one reason Jess Hopkins, Vice President and Market Leader with First Merchants Bank, encourages team members in her market area to become involved – often by organizing regular volunteer opportunities.

“Organizing team community days for our consumer bank associates gives me the opportunity to create a positive network for our team members to connect to non-profits in our community,” she said. “My hope for my team members is that it helps ‘replenish the bucket,’ so to speak. We get into a groove sometimes and don’t always get to take a step back and look at why we do the things we do and the significant impact volunteering can have. And we work to really foster a culture of not just serving our community from our banking centers but meeting them where they are.”

We’re proud to support non-profits across our footprint and applaud the vital work these organizations do to support our clients and our communities.