Midland States Bank is committed to supporting the communities we serve. Our vitality as a community bank depends on the well-being of the neighborhoods, towns and communities in which we operate. The Midland States Bank Foundation was created to provide improvements for the general welfare, education and health in our communities.
Through our Foundation, we are proud to offer grants to non-profit organizations and initiatives that align with our key focus areas: education, work force development, financial empowerment, housing, small business development and health & wellness.
Key Award Dates
We are proud to offer select grants to non-profit organizations and community-focused initiatives.
Spring Awards
Grant Amount: $7,500+
Application Opens: February 1
Application Deadline: March 31
Final Notification to Applicant: June 30
Fall Awards
Grant Amount: $7,500+
Application Opens: July 1
Application Deadline: September 30
Final Notification to Applicant: December 31
Eligibility
To apply for a donation from the Midland States Bank Foundation, applicants must:
Be tax exempt as defined by Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) of the IRS Code.
Provide a copy of the organization's tax exempt status determination letter from the IRS.
Serve the communities in Midland’s geographical footprint.
Be aligned with the goals and focus of Midland States Bank: Education, Work Force Development, Financial Empowerment, Housing, Small Business Development, and Health & Wellness.
Apply within the award timeframe.
Special consideration is given to programs that support low- to moderate-income populations.
Additional Guidelines:
All requests must be submitted electronically via the application link. We will no longer accept letters of inquiry or paper/email requests.
The Midland States Bank Foundation does not donate to these organizations, activities, or purposes:
Programs that are not within our geographical footprint.
Individuals
Political organizations or projects
Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, national, or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, veteran status, disability or other characteristics protected by law
Annual appeals
Travel expenses for organization's employees
Operating deficits
Memorial campaigns
How to Apply for a Donation
1. Review Our Focus Areas
Familiarize yourself with our community impact key focus areas. We support causes that align with our core values and objectives. Take the time to understand the specific areas where we aim to make a significant impact.
2. Check Your Eligibility
Before proceeding with the application, carefully review the eligibility criteria to ensure that your organization or initiative meets the necessary requirements. We prioritize transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
3. Craft Your Proposal
Develop a compelling project proposal that clearly articulates your organization's mission, goals, and strategies. Demonstrate how your work aligns with our community impact focus areas and how the requested donation will contribute to the success of your project and to the community.
4. Submit Your Application
Fill out our online donation application form, providing accurate and comprehensive information about your organization and project. Be concise yet informative, emphasizing the impact your initiative will have on the community. Include any relevant supporting documents or testimonials that strengthen your application. Please note that late submissions may not be considered, so we recommend allowing ample time for the submission process.
5. Undergo Review
Our Foundation Board will thoroughly review all submitted applications. Shortlisted organizations may be contacted for additional information or clarification. The final selection process may involve interviews or presentations. Once a decision is made, we will notify applicants of the outcome within the Foundation's specified timeframe.
6. Receive Donation Disbursement and Reporting Request
If your organization is chosen, you will receive a monetary donation to support your project. We may request periodic progress reports to ensure that the funds are being utilized effectively and to assess the impact of the supported initiatives.
We want to remind you that the result of your organization’s application seldom reflects its perceived worthiness. Rather, it may indicate our previous commitments within a geographic area, current support of a similar organization, or incomplete information provided by the organization.
We hope to assist as many local organizations as our resources will allow. However, please recognize that we consistently receive more requests for funds than can be supported by Midland States Bank’s resources. Limited resources require that we prioritize our giving. To accomplish this, we consider those areas in which we believe the most critical needs exist and where the Bank’s resources can have the most favorable impact on the communities we serve.
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