neighborhoods - First Niagara

INVESTING IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS
2015 COMMUNITY REPORT
LIBRARY
SCHOOL
Good neighbors
create great
neighborhoods
LIBRARY
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President’s
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Corporate Social Responsibility
I am proud to present you with our 2015 Community Impact
Report and prouder still of the work that is documented
in its pages. This report provides a mere snapshot of what
we’ve been able to accomplish with all of you, our neighbors,
throughout our four-state footprint.
Our ability to make a difference in the lives and
communities we touch is far and away one of our most important and rewarding responsibilities.
It is not only heartwarming, but motivational for us all to see the great work done through cooperation,
ingenuity and collaboration.
Neighbor to neighbor, thank you for your support as we work together to make the world a better place.
Sincerely,
Gary M. Crosby
President and CEO
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First Niagara’s footprint stretches from the beauty of Niagara Falls to
the great city of Philadelphia and six regions in between. It is our privilege
to work hard as bankers, as neighbors, as friends, to provide financial
services and that extra support that make our neighborhoods strong.
Indulge us as we sing the praises of our customers and community
partners and highlight some of our most gratifying projects; the work we
do to help our neighbors achieve their dreams.
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Western New York
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Funding Another Tool
for Start-Up Businesses
Entrepreneurs and growing companies near the
Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus can now take
advantage of a dynamic new environment for
education and training called Learn in the Thomas
R. Beecher Jr. Innovation Center on the Buffalo
Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC). First Niagara is
financing this new learning suite with a two-year,
50,000 contribution. The grant continues our
$
investment in the BNMC, an important hub for
growth and development in our community.
Located on the first floor of the Innovation Center at
640 Ellicott Street, Learn at the Innovation Center includes
a main classroom for up to 30 people and is outfitted with
the latest technology, as well as private conference spaces.
The 1,500-square-foot suite will be used by the BNMC
business development team for its programs and will also
be available to other partners dedicated to supporting the
region’s growing entrepreneurial community.
A First Niagara branch office in the Innovation Center
allows us to offer information, advice and services to
start-up entrepreneurs.
Vic Nole, director of business development for the
BNMC, commented, “Learn at the Innovation Center now
gives us a dedicated place to hold targeted learning and
problem solving forums for companies and individuals who
need access to specific business networks and expertise.
We are delighted that First Niagara has recognized the
value in supporting the creation of this space in a way that
will really benefit the start-up community. The center will
be a tremendous complement to the already rich portfolio
on the medical campus.”
Learn will be used primarily for programs offered by
the BNMC and its partners including Start Up CEL and
Student Sandbox. The facility will also be offered to outside
organizations dedicated to the entrepreneurial community.
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Western New York
Ensuring that New Neighbors Achieve Success
They come to Buffalo from places
“These microloans make it possible for
such as Rwanda, Burma,
many more Buffalo residents to realize their
Syria and South Sudan,
entrepreneurial potential, with access to funds
leaving a homeland that is
that will help them grow their businesses,” said
no longer viable for their
Ben Bissell, Executive Director of Westminster
families and ready to work
Economic Development Initiative.
hard to make a home in
The positive results are already showing on
their new city.
Buffalo’s West Side in the ethnically diverse
The Westminster Economic
neighborhood of Grant and Ferry streets where
Development Initiative
new retail stores, food establishments and
(WEDI) and First Niagara are
helping to make that possible,
making 200,000 available
$
through our Community
Gysma Kueny operates Gysma’s African
Style, selling colorful jewelry, baskets and
other gift items made in places such as South
Sudan and Ghana in her boutique inside the
West Side Bazaar.
other small businesses are repopulating onceempty storefronts. Resourceful shoppers can
find unique handcrafted gifts, clothing and
jewelry from all over the world, and
Development Corporation to
sample a variety of fresh
boost small business creation
ethnic foods.
on Buffalo’s West Side.
To help ensure that their
WEDI looks for businesses
success is long-term, loan
that will benefit the common
recipients are matched with a
good, businesses that will
volunteer business coach who
hire economically-
helps them achieve their goals
disadvantaged individuals
over the term of the loan.
and businesses owned by
Business owners go through
economically disadvantaged
financial capability training,
individuals who have barriers
create or review a business plan
to accessing traditional
bank loans.
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and create financial projections
When Katie Couric brought
a film crew to Buffalo to shoot a segment of the
“Rebuilding America” series for Yahoo News, one of her stops was
the West Side Bazaar. Couric visited with the vendors, sampled
foods and met with Ben Bissell, WEDI Executive Director.
for the business/project with
WEDI staff members.
Manny Batcho established his Envy Us Looks
Barber Shop on Elmwood Avenue, where he and a
team of stylists are receiving five star reviews from
their clients – especially for the hot towel face wrap.
Ilana Gordon boosted inventory at Turnaround
Skates, a hub for the roller skating and roller derby
community, and the source for roller skates,
protective gear and apparel.
Rubens Mukunzi launched Karibu News, a multilingual and
multicultural newspaper with a goal of linking
Hein Htet Zaw Saw established 007 Chinese Food,
and integrating the
tucked into a corner at the West Side Bazaar and
thriving refugee and
getting rave reviews for its dim sum, sticky rice and
immigrant community
Char Sui buns.
with the rest of its
Western New York
neighbors.
First Niagara donated over $1.5 million
in 2015 to improve neighborhoods
all over Western New York.
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President’s
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Rochester, New York
Championing the Arts
in Rochester
It’s been described as “an all-out, no-holds-barred, multidisciplinary visual
and performing arts festival featuring international, national and local artists.”
So, you might imagine that The First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival is all
play. But it’s so much more.
By drawing more than
63,000 attendees to downtown
Rochester over a 10-day period,
the Fringe celebrates creativity
and the role of the arts in our
lives. It also brings significant
dollars to the city’s economy
and helps position Rochester as
a fresh, vibrant city to people
throughout North America.
“We are very pleased to
have been the presenting
sponsor for Fringe since its
inception in 2013. This event has brought incredible excitement and
notoriety to our great city,” said Suzanne Nasipak Chapman, First Niagara’s
market executive for the region. “The support of our community has helped
it become one of the premier Fringe Festivals in the country.”
The First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival is a member of the U.S.
Association of Fringe Festivals and is one of the largest in the United States.
The East End of Rochester is where you’ll find the heart of the Fringe.
One Fringe Place (corner of Gibbs and Main streets) is the festival “hub” for
all 10 days, with food, drink, free outdoor entertainment, a ticket booth,
merchandise tent, street performers and much more.
This Fringe – partially curated by the festival and partially created
by festival venues – features more than 500 performances and events,
showcasing theater, comedy, visual arts, family entertainment, music, dance,
physical theater, musical theater, opera, poetry, and literature, as well as
“experiences that have yet to be imagined!”
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First Niagara
Awards
Neighborhood
Support
Assuring Students
that they Matter
K – 12 students at the World of Inquiry School work hard,
focusing not only on state standards, but also on learning
by doing, questioning, critical thinking and problem solving.
They deserve
the support of
adults who care
for them and are
willing to help them
through life’s daily
challenges.
Today, in
addition to their
parents, these
students have
mentors that they can depend on, backed by the First Niagara
Mentoring MattersSM program and its grants that totaled
100,000 in 2015 to Junior Achievement of Central Upstate
$
New York, Monroe Community College and St. John Fisher
College. The three not-for-profit agencies provide volunteer
mentors who support World of Inquiry School No. 58 students,
helping them to achieve both academic and life success.
“First Niagara has become a leader in bringing attention
to the role mentoring can have in empowering young people
to grow into productive individuals,” said Sheelarani Webster,
Principal of World of Inquiry School No. 58. “We are grateful
that they recognize the benefits mentoring can have not only
on children, but also on the volunteers who work with them.”
“First Niagara has become a leader in bringing attention to the role
mentoring can have in empowering young people to grow into
productive individuals.” – Sheelarani Webster
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President’s
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Central New York
Mentoring Children in Auburn
Be a mentor to a child and you not only help him improve his
“The First Niagara Mentoring MattersSM grant has made a
grades and school attendance, you also help him avoid the
huge impact on the students whom we serve,”
dangers of drugs and alcohol, enhance his self-esteem and
said Denise Farrington, Executive Director at Booker T.
give him a better opportunity for a brighter future.
Washington Community Center. “Not only are we able to
At First Niagara we’ve been extending the reach of our
Mentoring Matters
SM
program since it
tell the students how truly special they are, we can now show
them. Having a mentor builds self-
began in 2007. This year, we
esteem and boosts confidence
provided a 25,000 grant to
levels, which encourage the
the Booker T. Washington
development of an optimistic
Community Center to
outlook when striving to achieve
support its six-week summer
positive outcomes in life.”
$
mentoring program.
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Overcoming
Obstacles to
Success
When it comes to providing a stable,
positive experience for at-risk kids, the
Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse has a
track record of success. With a clear
opportunity to make a measurable
difference in the neighborhoods we
serve in Syracuse, First Niagara was
pleased to provide a $20,000 grant to
the organization in 2015. With this
gift, our cumulative support of the
organization over the past eight years
has surpassed $80,000.
The Boys & Girls Clubs is
instrumental in helping children and
teens with critical issues such as health
and life skills as well as educational and
career development.
“We deeply appreciate First Niagara’s
longstanding commitment to our
organization and mission,” said Derrick
Dorsey, Executive Director for the
Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse.
“This grant will provide learning tools
that help promote financial literacy
and money management skills for our
teen members.”
First Niagara has a long history of
supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Syracuse in its mission of inspiring and
enabling all young people to realize their
full potential as productive, responsible
and caring citizens.
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Central New York
Making a College Education Possible
Our Central New York Region boasts 2,254 college students who once believed that higher education was out of reach. That was
before they encountered On Point for College, an organization dedicated to breaking down the barriers that hinder potential
students from entering college and providing the support that empowers them to succeed.
Providing the support goes well beyond the financial support. For the 22 employees and 188 volunteers of On Point for
College, it means driving students to school, counseling them, calling them to follow up and – best of all – cheering for them on
graduation day.
Through our Mentoring MattersSM program, First Niagara has been a sponsor of On Point since 2011, providing total support
of $115,000. In 2015 we were pleased to provide the organization a grant for $25,000.
For taking this simple yet effective approach, founder Ginny Donohue and On Point for College have been recognized for best
practices in the nation by the National College Access Network and the Lumina Foundation for Education.
“There are no words to describe it. On Point for College
is making a difference in the lives of many people.
This is what the American Dream is about.” – Majak Dut
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Eastern New York
Climbing to New Heights in Albany
When First Niagara team members
Saratoga and a local extension
and their families become committed
of the Great Strides national
to an important cause, we make a
walk that in 2015 included
commitment as well. Parents and
a team of more than 50 First
family members of cystic fibrosis
Niagara team members.
patients work in branches in all of
Over the years, we’ve seen
our regions, which is part of the
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
reason First Niagara has been
make significant contributions
involved with the Cystic Fibrosis
to CF research. This crucial
Foundation for more than 20 years.
research has contributed to the
Perhaps no region has taken
development of new therapies
its commitment to the Cystic
and treatments that have
Fibrosis Foundation to greater
improved the lives of people
heights than Eastern New York.
born with the genetic disorder
First Niagara recently made
and actually extended the life
a 15,000 donation to the
expectancy.
$
organization and, on top of that,
a group of First Niagara team
members raised an additional
8,000 by climbing 84 flights of stairs!
$
First Niagara team
members raised
an additional $8,000
by climbing
84 flights of stairs!
“In climbing Corning Tower, our volunteers experienced
breathlessness, which people with cystic fibrosis feel every
day,” explained Susan Hollister, First Niagara Senior Human
Resources Manager. Hollister has served on the board of the
New York State CFF for nearly 20 years and is also a member
of the leadership council for the national organization.
Ascending Albany’s tallest building is just one of the
fundraisers First Niagara team members take part in each
year. There are various social events, a summer gala held in
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Eastern New York
Reinvesting in the Troy Economy
In the late 1990’s, First Niagara partnered with the Troy
Capital Roots will use its $20,000 grant to support the
Architectural Program (TAP) and Rensselaer Polytechnic
Urban Grow Center, which provides significant economic
Institute (RPI) in the renovation of the historic Rice Building
and public welfare benefits to not only the North Central
in order to attract technology companies and new jobs to
neighborhood where it’s located, but also the entire region.
downtown Troy, N.Y.
The Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) will
In August of 2015
make use of its $15,000 grant to enhance
the building was sold to
and promote training and workforce
Troy-based developer Tai
development opportunities as part
Ventures LLC.
of its overall work supporting the
First Niagara is putting
redevelopment and revitalization of the
our portion of the proceeds
Troy community.
from the sale right back into
The $11,000 grant to the Independent
the community, supporting
Living Center of the Hudson Valley
five local nonprofit
(ILCHV) will help the group make
organizations that share
important renovations to its facility.
our vision for a stronger,
The ILCHV is dedicated to supporting
revitalized downtown Troy.
individuals with disabilities as they move
toward independence.
“We’re incredibly
Our grant of $15,000 to the YWCA
grateful that First Niagara
recognizes that expanding
of the Greater Capital Region will
homeownership will continue
go a long way toward purchasing
to make our community strong
much-needed furniture, equipment
and more stable,” said Christine Nealon, Executive Director
and supplies for SRO, the Permanent Housing Program,
of the Troy Rehabilitation & Improvement Program (TRIP), one
Community Meal Kitchen, as well as its family apartments.
of the organizations receiving 20,000. “This grant will help
$
us make important progress on the single-family units we’re
building in the Hillside North neighborhood.”
“We’re incredibly grateful that First Niagara recognizes
that expanding homeownership will continue to make
our community strong and more stable.” – Christine Nealon
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Preparing Young People to Succeed
Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York counts on
its annual Futures Bowl fundraising event to contribute
almost one-third of its operating budget each year, which
is one of the reasons why the event must get off on
the right foot.
First Niagara team members pitched in,
organizing a special grassroots collection across
all 47 Eastern New York branches and at the
Patroon Creek regional headquarters.
“We are thankful to First Niagara,” said
Ed Murray, President of JA of NENY. “This
funding will support the 28th Annual Futures
Bowl, our largest fundraising event that is
critical to the success of Junior Achievement
in our mission of inspiring and preparing young
people to succeed in a global economy.”
First Niagara’s fundraising efforts directly
supported 15 classrooms and 330 students
in ENY. Through Junior Achievement,
children learn about business,
workforce preparation and the
importance of staying in school
for future success.
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Tri-State
Empowering Students in Hudson Valley
Junior Achievement of the Hudson Valley is a not-for-profit
First Niagara team members at our Nyack branch hosted
organization designed to empower young people to achieve
a Junior Achievement Job Shadow day for 30 Spring Valley
economic success through a curriculum focused on the
High School juniors and seniors interested in working in the
business world, the local job market and financial literacy.
banking or finance industry. In addition to shadowing First
For these reasons and more,
Niagara team members, the students participated
First Niagara team members in
in seminars on budgeting, resume
our Tri-State Region consider
building and tips for job interviews.
it a partner deserving of
They also learned about banking and
both funding and volunteer
finance career paths, and the kinds
initiatives.
of job opportunities available with
Through Junior
a company like First Niagara, such
Achievement’s JA in a Day
as commercial and investment
program, First Niagara
banking, mortgage lending and
volunteers spent a day
administrative support.
teaching more than 250
Finally, in addition to the important
students at Oakside
work of teaching, First Niagara team
Elementary School in
members routinely contribute to
Peekskill, NY. The students learned about the difference
Junior Achievement through the fun
between needs and wants, and the work families do to
of sports activity, sponsoring an annual Bowl-for-Kids
pay for them.
bowl-a-thon and raising more than $10,000 to support
Junior Achievement of the Hudson Valley.
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“The children responded and seemed to really enjoy the
program. We were able to share some laughs and
I was happily surprised at how much they retained
from week to week.” Deborah Cavers, First Niagara
volunteer
Since 2012, First Niagara has supported dozens of
Junior Achievement organizations across our regions with
more than $700,000, as well as hundreds of volunteers
donating their time and talents to events, classrooms
and governing boards.
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Tri-State
Helping Minority Students Excel in College
One of the most important investments we can make in
“The donation from the First Niagara Foundation allows
any neighborhood is to build strong future leaders and
freshman students who sign up for ConnCAS to receive
entrepreneurs, especially in low and moderate income areas.
mentoring from college graduates and successful members
That’s why First Niagara provided a 28,000 grant in 2015
of the business community,” said Ann Rogers, Executive
to the Norwalk Community College Foundation to support
Director of the NCC Foundation. “These students will learn
ConnCAS, a state-funded College Pathway Program that helps
to set goals, become involved in activities that relate to their
students transition successfully from high school to college.
passions, advocate for themselves academically, and prepare
$
The school’s Connecticut College Access and Success
(ConnCAS) program provides a wide variety of support
for careers that leverage their interests and abilities.”
This is First Niagara’s second year of supporting the
services for students who need extra support and guidance
college. In 2014, we provided a $50,000 grant to support
on their road to graduation. Emphasis is placed on academic
NCC’s partnership with Norwalk High School in creating
course success with offerings such as one-on-one advising,
the Norwalk Early College Academy, a six-year high school-
peer support, personal enrichment and free summer courses.
college program that enables students to graduate with both
a high school diploma and an associate degree
from Norwalk Community College.
First Niagara believes in the value of a good
education and is thrilled to support these
programs in helping students reach their higher
education goals.
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First Niagara
“Our technology classes are extremely popular, and
First Niagara’s contribution allows us to offer the
training so many in our community want and need.”
– Alice Knapp, President of the Ferguson Library
Providing Crucial Computer Literacy
One of the cornerstones of First Niagara’s community
investment program is to support initiatives that provide
educational enrichment in the communities we serve,
particularly in our urban areas. In 2015, we provided a
10,000 grant to Stamford, Connecticut’s public library
$
system to support technology training at the library. This
brings First Niagara’s support of the Ferguson Library to
The Ferguson Library
offers a regular schedule
of technology training, including
introductory classes for those unfamiliar with computers or
just learning basic skills, as well as more advanced courses in
PowerPoint, Excel, digital photography and other subjects.
These free classes help our neighbors become marketable in
the workplace or stay up to date in their current job.
a total of $65,000 since 2012.
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New England
Underwriting a Cinderella Story in East Hartford
If ever a community witnessed a transformation from rags
and the lives of thousands of young people. With the help
to riches, it is East Hartford, Conn. and the development
of First Niagara, as well as state and federal environmental
of the Goodwin College campus on the banks of the
agencies, the college began buying the riverfront property and
Connecticut River.
cleaning up the land, removing a total of 30 oil storage tanks
The story begins in the 1980s, with a piece of property
that was environmentally contaminated, tax delinquent and
and conducting extensive soil remediation before beginning
construction on the new campus.
generally blighted; a graveyard of defunct and rusted out oil
“First Niagara has been a very good friend to Goodwin
tanks. The site had been designated as a brown field by the
College,” said Scheinberg. “They took the time to understand
Environmental Protection Agency.
our history, the trajectory and the number of students who
Enter Prince Charming in the form of Mark Scheinberg,
President of Goodwin College. Instead of a disaster zone,
Scheinberg saw an opportunity to transform both the land
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First Niagara
were coming in, and understood that we were actually being
very conservative in terms of what we could accomplish.”
Today Goodwin College sits on a beautiful riverfront
campus, complete with classrooms, high-tech science labs,
full-time jobs, and contribute $79.5 million in total direct and
indirect economic benefits for the state of Connecticut.
computer labs, libraries, an auditorium and more. The student
First Niagara has played a role in creating those educational
body has been transformed as well, growing from 1,000
and economic benefits. We’ve offered sound financial guidance
students to 3,500 polished professionals ready to start
and creative financing solutions to the college throughout
successful careers.
its growth, and also supported the school and its students
It is a model smart growth project, and exactly the kind of
philanthropically. In the past five years, First Niagara has
initiative First Niagara looks for as we commit to growing and
provided more than $250,000 in charitable grants to support
supporting not just a company, but also a community. One
scholarship programs and other critical support services to
study estimated that the increased educational opportunities
academically and economically at-risk students. In 2015,
available with the college expansion would enable Goodwin
First Niagara also partnered with Goodwin and the state of
graduates to earn a total of 56.9 million in wages annually. The
Connecticut to obtain more than $100,000 in funds through
same study also estimated that the expansion project would
the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit to support
result in the creation of 1,516 new direct and indirect
the installation of solar panels and other energy-efficient
$
upgrades throughout the campus.
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New England
Volunteering Throughout Our Neighborhoods
Sometimes a commitment of financial support turns into an
transferred to the organization’s community-based program
even greater relationship. Such is the case in Manchester,
so that could happen. Today the “big” and “little” spend 10
Conn., where a 2014 Mentoring Matters
to 30 hours a month together. In addition to her time spent
SM
grant has inspired
a deep bond between a First Niagara volunteer and an
with Natasha, Mauro has taken on a second “little” in the
Elisabeth M. Bennett Academy student.
center-based program, and works to recruit more of her
When the Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters aspired to
launch a new center-based program at Manchester’s East Side
colleagues to volunteer.
Mentoring programs like this one have proven to make a
Resource Center, First Niagara worked with the Connecticut
very positive impact on the children they serve, helping them
Mentoring Partnership to get them the funding they needed.
make good choices in school and beyond.
Some of First Niagara’s 75,000 Mentoring Matters grant to
$
“The credit goes to our fantastic volunteers,” proclaimed
CMP was apportioned to Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters
Andrew Fleischmann, President and CEO of Nutmeg Big
to launch the program using First Niagara team members as
Brothers Big Sisters and a state representative serving the
volunteer mentors.
One of those
18th House District in
West Hartford. “They’re
volunteers was
incredibly dedicated people
Assistant Branch
who really have a heartfelt
Manager Kim Mauro,
commitment to the
who signed up to spend
children.”
an hour a week with a
student at the East Side
Resource Center. Mauro,
the “big” and her “little,”
Natasha, got along so well
that they wanted to spend
more time together. They
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Mentoring Matters
SM
Recognizing the importance of mentoring and the positive impact it has on young adults, First Niagara
established our Mentoring MattersSM program back in 2007. Since then we've provided more than $8 million
to mentoring programs throughout our regions, and each year strive to expand the impact of the program
by adding new elements and broadening our reach. Essential to our success have been several strong and
dynamic Mentor Partnerships with which we have partnered.
The National Mentoring Partnership
The National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR) is the
unifying champion for expanding quality youth mentoring
relationships in the United States. For more than 25 years,
MENTOR has served the mentoring field by providing a public
voice; developing and delivering resources to mentoring
programs nationwide; and promoting quality for mentoring
through evidence-based standards, innovative research
and essential tools. MENTOR has developed and supports
a national network of affiliate Mentoring Partnerships that
provide regional, state and local leadership and infrastructure
necessary to support the expansion of quality mentoring
relationships. They work tirelessly to engage with the private,
public and nonprofit sectors to ensure that all youth have
the support they need through mentoring relationships to
succeed at home, school and, ultimately, work.
First Niagara has been proud to partner with MENTOR
and their affiliates, including MENTOR New York and the
Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania. In turn,
MENTOR has helped us grow and strengthen the impact and
reach of our Mentoring MattersSM program. At the National
Mentoring Summit in D.C., we were recognized for our
exceptional partnership in quality youth mentoring.
The Governor’s Prevention Partnership
At First Niagara, we value our relationship with The
Governor’s Prevention Partnership (GPP), a public-private
nonprofit dedicated to keeping Connecticut kids safe,
successful and drug-free for a stronger workforce tomorrow.
Through the establishment of the Connecticut Mentoring
Partnership, GPP provides leadership, resources, training,
and advocacy to more than 150 mentoring programs serving
12,000 youth throughout the state. GPP partners with
schools, businesses, community, and faith-based organizations
to ensure that children are involved in safe, quality mentoring
relationships, while building and sustaining a strong base of
leaders and key stakeholders committed to mentoring.
In the past five years, First Niagara has donated more
than $450,000 in grants, making it possible for the partnership
to create public service announcements and marketing
material to increase mentor recruitment in Connecticut by
67 percent. Our support has also helped lay the groundwork
for a greater New Haven mentoring collaboration, launched
new mentoring initiatives, and provided the initial investment
for the Connecticut Mentoring Fund, a pass-through state
grant program that provides direct funding to qualified
mentoring programs.
Mass Mentoring Partnership
With offices in Boston and Springfield, Mass., the Mass
Mentoring Partnership (MMP) is fueling the movement to
expand empowering youth-adult relationships to meet the
needs of communities across Massachusetts. MMP serves
more than 250 youth-serving organizations, supporting more
than 33,000 youth in mentoring relationships. MMP works
with mentoring and youth development organizations to
assess programmatic needs and organizational capacity to
provide customized strategies that strengthen youth, families,
and communities.
Since entering the Massachusetts market in 2011, First
Niagara has been a corporate partner to MMP, providing
$
300,000 in Mentoring MattersSM grants. Our funding has
enabled MMP to help strengthen existing youth mentoring
organizations in Western Massachusetts, establish new and
innovative mentoring opportunities in the greater Springfield
community, and work hand-in-hand with the Holyoke School
District to embed quality mentoring into turnaround plans for
under-performing schools.
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Sustainability
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Eastern Pennsylvania
Strengthening Startups in Greater Philadelphia
Thanks to a unique partnership between Ben Franklin
1750 companies and generated 51,000 jobs in Southeastern
Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania and First
Pennsylvania.
Niagara, early-stage companies focused on the life sciences,
This loan represents creativity in developing a special
physical sciences and information technology have a new
financing program to a nonprofit that promotes community
opportunity to take root, thrive and create jobs in the five-
development as a financial intermediary that primarily lends
county Greater Philadelphia Region. By extending a 1-milion
or facilitates lending to small businesses, and generates
line of credit in 2015, First Niagara became the first bank to
economic development and jobs.
$
form a funding relationship with Ben Franklin. The funds will
be used to fuel 10 to 20 startup companies in the region.
As an economic development corporation focused on
“The availability of capital to fuel the growth of emerging,
advanced technology enterprises that create well-paid,
sustainable employment is necessary for the growth of our
early-stage ventures, Ben Franklin Technology Partners
region,” said RoseAnn B. Rosenthal, President and CEO of Ben
provides capital, counsel and connections that empower
Franklin. “With this commitment, First Niagara demonstrates
innovators to accelerate their ideas and investors to expand
its commitment to community through the understanding of
their impact. In its 30 year history, Ben Franklin has funded
the need to grow the industries of tomorrow, today.”
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First Niagara
Housing Neighbors
in Crisis
When misfortune strikes, it can be difficult for families to
stay together as they work through their problems. Families
Forward Philadelphia is one of few shelters capable of housing
an entire family, allowing both parents to be with their
children during times of crisis.
Families Forward operates the city’s largest privately run
shelter, with 69 private family units at a residential facility.
As well, it supports 80 families in transitional and permanent
Sponsoring a
Community Favorite
family residential units throughout West Philadelphia.
More than simply a client of First Niagara, the organization
has been the recipient of both financial contributions and
employee volunteers over the past three years. Today, a First
Niagara team member sits on the Families Forward board as
For 26 years, the Tex Mex 5k Race for Open Space has
vice chair.
raised funds for the Wissahickon Valley Watershed
Association (WVWA), a local conservation group dedicated
to protecting the health and beauty of the Wissahickon
Creek preserving open space and creating public trails.
In 2015, First Niagara
provided over $1.1 million
in grants and sponorships
to organizations in
Eastern Pennsylvania.
First Niagara has been an event sponsor for the past
several years. We also have several team members who
volunteer for the cause and help make the event a success.
Runners at the Tex Mex Connection stay after the race for
the “Party-Under-the-Stars” complete with a buffet dinner,
live music, and awards in five-year age groups.
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Western Pennsylvania
Supporting a Vibrant Community for Seniors
But these older adults aren’t the
On a lush, 30-acre campus just
north of Pittsburgh, low- and
only ones enjoying the campus. More
moderate-income seniors are
than 200 children attend daycare at
enjoying affordable, new apartments
the Mt. Nazareth Learning Center
in what was once the Sisters of the
next door. And the Sisters of the Holy
Holy Family of Nazareth motherhouse
Family of Nazareth continue to live
and school.
in the community and oversee Holy
Family Manor, an assisted living home
The stately, 89-year-old building
adjacent to Mt. Nazareth Commons.
was transformed into the 42-unit
Mt. Nazareth Commons by Presbyterian SeniorCare in
“One of the areas of compatibility between Presbyterian
partnership with Presbyterian Senior Living. The 8 million
SeniorCare and Presbyterian Senior Living is that we both have
makeover was funded in large part by tax credit financing, with
a service-enriched, aging-in-place philosophy, so we have a
help from First Niagara and other funding agencies.
service coordinator onsite to help new residents, and we also
$
The apartments feature fully equipped kitchens, modern
developed some partnerships with a home health agency and a
bathrooms, individual heat and air controls and an emergency
private duty agency,” said Jim Pieffer, Senior Vice President for
call system.
Presbyterian SeniorCare. “Our goal is to wrap services around
them and use our services and others in the community,
coordinated by our team, to support successful aging.”
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First Niagara
Bundling Up Our Allegheny
County Neighbors
Volunteering with the
Community Food Bank
With children sprouting up one size or even two during some
Our Employee Volunteer Council in our Western
years, it can be difficult to keep them in warm, well-fitting
Pennsylvania Region gathered 25 volunteers to pack
coats, hats, gloves and boots each winter. That’s one of the
food boxes at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food
reasons The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division
Bank. The event, one of 17 coordinated by the EVC in
and WTAE-TV conduct their annual Project Bundle-Up
2015, was part of the region’s United Way Day of Caring.
program, ensuring that children and senior citizens have the
Each box included about 25 packaged food items that
appropriate winter outerwear.
were shipped to needy families in Allegheny and the
In 2015, First Niagara pledged critical funds to support
surrounding counties of southwestern Pennsylvania.
Project Bundle-Up and to help individuals and families in
The team was led by First Niagara’s Randy Cornelius,
Allegheny County get back on their feet during a time when
Vice President Commercial Real Estate Lending, who also
they are in the most need.
serves on the Board of Directors for the Food Bank.
First Niagara team members also volunteered their time
to Project Bundle-Up. One group worked at the WTAE-TV
telethon to help The Salvation Army raise funds for the
program. Another two dozen team members volunteered for a
Project Bundle-Up shopping trip, spending a Saturday helping
First Niagara has given
$
30,000 over the last
five years to the Greater
Pittsburgh Community
Food Bank.
a group of local children to select new winter coats, hats,
scarves and boots.
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Diversity
Sustainability
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Neighborhood
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Community
Development
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First Niagara
Taking a Holistic Approach
“A rising tide lifts all boats.”
– John F. Kennedy
This quote concisely tells the First Niagara story: We believe targeting our
resources and offering accessible financial products will deliver the maximum
community impact and benefit the entire community. Over the years, we’ve
worked to become increasingly effective with our collaborative efforts to affect
positive change in our neighborhoods.
The First Niagara Community Development Corporation (CDC) provides
financial services and outreach to underserved communities and individuals
through partnerships with local nonprofits and public agencies across our eight
regions. The CDC works closely with First Niagara’s Commercial Real Estate,
Residential Mortgage, Business Banking and Middle Market teams in order to
provide a full range of products and services to our customers.
As a result, we provided more than $170 million in community development
loans, channeling much needed financing to community services, affordable
housing and neighborhood stabilization, as well as economic and small business
development. Almost 90,000 neighbors wake up in apartments that First Niagara
has financed. More than 112,000 neighbors work out of property locations we
financed and an estimated $7.7 billion in commerce flows through the retail
outlets financed by First Niagara.
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Community Development
Affordable Housing
Setting the Cornerstone of
Neighborhood Stability
By getting out in our neighborhoods and partnering
with community groups and developers, First
Niagara teams get to know the true housing needs
of our communities. Using a grassroots approach
allows us to find the best services, programs and
financial tools to help our customers realize their
dreams. As a result, in 2015 First Niagara helped
make a positive impact on neighbors throughout
our footprint.
As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank
of New York, First Niagara participates in both the
First Home Club (FHC) program and the Affordable
Home Program (AHP). The FHC helps first time
home buyers attain the goal of home ownership,
while the AHP provides direct subsidies to support
affordable rental and home ownership projects for
low- and moderate-income individuals.
First Niagara also invests both in Low Income
Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and Mortgage
Backed Securities (MBS) to help bridge the gap
of affordability for low- and moderate-income
individuals seeking homeownership or affordable
rental housing.
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First Niagara
Monika Mittelholzer cuts
the ribbon on her new home,
made possible by First Niagara
and Neighborhood Housing
Services of New Haven.
Making Homeownership a Reality
All signs seemed to be pointing to a new home in New Haven,
With a $10,000 grant provided through NHS by First
CT for Monika Mittelholzer. She works at Yale University,
Niagara, Monika was able to say goodbye to her tiny, bedsitter
which encourages all its employees to live in the city. Then
style apartment and hello to her first home. “It’s not as
Monika learned about Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS)
daunting as some people might think,” she explained. “First
of New Haven, with its mission of positioning New Haven’s
Niagara walked me through everything and made it very
neighborhoods to succeed by increasing homeownership;
simple. Now I’m actually paying less for my mortgage than I
making homes beautiful, energy-efficient and affordable; and
was for rent!”
helping residents take charge of their neighborhoods.
The best part, according to Monika, is the comfort of
knowing you never have to move again if you don’t want to.
First Home Club (FHC) is a four-to-one match savings
program that provides grants of up to $7,500 to help a first time
home buyer with a down payment and closing costs. In 2015,
First Niagara assisted 625 neighbors with acquiring a First
Home Club Grant from the FHLBNY (Federal Home Loan
Bank of New York).
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Community Development
Affordable Home Program
Applications for projects are submitted by nonprofit
38 affordable housing units, including 15 that will be designed
organizations and sponsored by First Niagara. We monitor
and designated for individuals with developmental disabilities
the project from the time of application through funding and
and traumatic brain injuries.
post-completion of the project to ensure that the AHP grant
In Henrietta, NY, First Niagara provided $10.7 million in
funds are meeting the needs in accordance with regulatory
financing for the DePaul Rochester View Apartments, a multi-
requirements. First Niagara sponsored 11 projects in 2015,
family housing complex designed to accommodate persons
creating 629 units of affordable housing and totaling 9.7
who are deaf and/or hard of hearing and those using American
million in grant funding throughout our markets.
Sign Language.
$
In our Western New York Region, Lackawanna Homes
was awarded $400,000 in gap financing for the development
of 48 single-family homes and a community building located
in a targeted revitalization neighborhood. First Niagara also
provided $4.6 million in financing to People Inc. to support the
renovation of a 1920’s-era elementary school building into
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First Niagara
Low Income Housing
Tax Credits and Mortgage
Backed Securities
In 2015, First Niagara invested $10 million in Mortgage
Backed Securities in low and moderate income areas and
committed more than $33,945,674 in Low Income Housing
Tax Credits throughout our regions. The result is the creation
of more than 75 new affordable housing units and provision of
over $8.9 million of LMI mortgages (MBS) to support our
Supporting Affordable
City Housing
Pinnacle Place, a 407-unit apartment building provided
much-needed housing for seniors and persons with disabilities
in the city of Rochester. But the 40-year old facility had seen
better days, and the owner was ready to sell.
Rather than let Pinnacle Place continue to deteriorate,
PathStone Corporation stepped up. Given the size of the
renovation project, PathStone needed committed public
and private partners. The City of
communities. Most importantly,
Rochester, the State of New York,
the impact of these investments
and $17.9 million in financing from
can have a dramatic effect on our
First Niagara would make the
neighborhoods and neighbors.
undertaking possible.
One example is Evergreen
Today the building is revitalized,
Lofts in our Buffalo community.
with new kitchens, flooring,
First Niagara provided more
lighting, windows and paint in
than $1 million in gap financing
the apartments, a new roof, and
to support the redevelopment
important life safety improvements
of a vacant building into 56 units
of affordable housing in Buffalo N.Y. The innovative project
features a first floor lobby; a computer center open to the
building’s residents; a community room with an adjoining
kitchen and office space. Residents also enjoy a beautiful
fenced in courtyard.
Evergreen Lofts is also part of the Housing First program,
providing an alternative to emergency shelter/transitional
housing, by moving homeless individuals or households
immediately from the streets or shelters into apartments.
throughout. It’s also 100 percent occupied
by the people who need it most – low-income seniors and
persons with disabilities.
“We were pleased to work with First Niagara on this
important project,” said Stuart J. Mitchell, PathStone
Corporation President and CEO. “Their financial support
enabled us to create a safe, quality and more modernized
residential space for the more than 400 Rochesterians living in
Pinnacle Apartments.”
In 2015, First Niagara celebrated with the community the
opening of Evergreen Lofts and the remarkable impact it made
on this neighborhood.
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Community Development
Powering Small Businesses
in City Neighborhoods
and expansion in the Rochester area. We know microloan
We believe that small businesses are the economic engine
entrepreneurs, providing grants of up to $25,000 to qualified
for growth in our communities. We’re proud to report that
companies and making it possible for emerging entrepreneurs
the First Niagara small business team has originated more
to quickly access funds to grow their businesses.
than 414 million in small business lending throughout our
$
programs like this one pave the way to income mobility for our
urban neighbors.
PathStone administered the loan funds to neighborhood
One such recipient is ROC City Realty a local, female,
regions. These loans can be the lifeblood of a community,
minority-owned firm in the Neighborhood of the Arts
supporting the dreams of entrepreneurs and mom and pop
community. Owner Carmelie Diamond is a quality-driven,
retail establishments, and providing much-needed capital to
Licensed Real Estate Broker who specializes in helping clients
companies looking to grow.
grow into the homes or rental
First Niagara has been
properties they love while she
an active and significant
helps developers and landlords
supporter of the Small
find qualified residents.
Business Investment Company
ROC City Realty offers
(SBIC), providing long-term
several unique services such
benefits to local communities
as monthly educational
through neighborhood
seminars to provide guidance
revitalization and job creation.
to prospective homeowners
In addition to being a significant
in the home buying process
driver of manufacturing
and a “tenant finder service”
companies and other sectors
for apartment developers
that may not have ready access
and landlords. In taking this
to capital, SBIC investments are another innovative way to
unique approach, Diamond promises to “bring a breath of
provide access to capital in underserved areas and the broader
fresh air to the real estate industry in Rochester.”
region as well. In 2015, First Niagara was actively invested in
more than 36.5 million in SBIC programs.
$
“The First Niagara Microloan Fund gives our entrepreneurs
the leverage they need to either start a business or take an
First Niagara is always exploring new opportunities to
existing business to the next level,” said Mayor Lovely A.
leverage partnerships that will support small business growth
Warren. “I want to thank First Niagara and PathStone for
on Main Street. In 2015, we partnered with PathStone
making this important investment in our community and
Corporation, providing 500,000 to its microloan fund,
creating a new source of opportunity.”
$
which is solely dedicated to boosting small business creation
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First Niagara
Bringing High Tech
to Small Business
As high-tech equipment and unique new materials continue
to change the printing industry, staying current is critical.
In 2015 First Niagara helped Mastro Graphic Arts (MGA), a
New York State certified woman-owned business enterprise,
with $335,000 in financing for a new, high-tech printer, as well
as a small business line of credit of $260,000 to help support
cash flow.
This improvement not only increased efficiency in MGA’s
plant, it allowed several MGA employees to be trained and
advance in their careers, making room for several additional
staff members.
Owner Rae Mastrofillippo has positioned MGA well to
Giving Entrepreneurs
Control over their Future
Being featured on a reality TV program was a dream come true
for Peter Cimino and Chris Dorsaneo, owners of four popular
Lloyd Taco Trucks and a concept called Lloyd Taco Factory.
CNBC’s “Restaurant Startup” offered Cimino and Dorsaneo
250,000 in exchange for 25 percent of their company.
$
grow over the next several years. The business continues to
be an important member of its Rochester neighborhood.
But as plans for the restaurant moved full steam ahead,
the pair determined the investor deal wasn’t right for their
business at the time. And that’s where First Niagara stepped
in. Having worked with the owners since 2012 to provide
funds for their food trucks, we understood their vision for the
business. We worked with the duo, determined their exact
needs and then worked quickly to structure and fund the loan
necessary to expand on their dreams.
Today neighbors in Buffalo’s growing Hertel Avenue
business district enjoy what the partners have established
as uniquely Lloyd: quality meats and vegetables, fresh corn
tortillas, secret sauces, and a dining experience that’s been
called “what you’d get if Willy Wonka opened his own
restaurant.”
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President’s
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Community
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Diversity
Sustainability
Awards
Neighborhood
Support
Diversity
LIBRARY
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First Niagara
Celebrating Our Diverse Communities
First Niagara has experienced dramatic growth and change over the past few
years. And while our portfolio and footprint have changed and diversified, so
have the people who work for us and the people who live and work in the many
neighborhoods we serve.
We value diversity as a strength and a priority for our organization. Our vision
of helping our team members, customers and communities to thrive and prosper
can only be accomplished when we recognize, acknowledge and embrace our
differences in terms of background, culture, life experiences, work styles, thoughts
and ideas.
But it’s not enough to simply value diversity. Success comes from an inclusive
business environment where we treat every coworker and all of our customers
with respect.
This vision is supported by an infrastructure throughout the First Niagara
organization, with a broad range of diversity and inclusion initiatives integrated
into our business, employment, supplier, partner and community practices.
The stories told throughout this report demonstrate First Niagara’s commitment
to helping our team members and our communities enjoy the prosperity they
deserve as we play a positive role in something that is bigger than all of us.
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Diversity
Preparing Blind Adults for Careers
Approximately 70 percent of working-age Americans who are
to train 30 clients per year, move them into a two-week
blind or visually impaired find themselves unemployed. The
internship and then place them into employment.
Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany (NABA) aims
“First Niagara’s generous support has tremendously
to change that statistic by helping its clients build their skills
helped our initiative to employ people who are blind,” said
and confidence through a new call center training program.
Christopher T. Burke, Executive Director, Northeastern
First Niagara provided a grant of 10,000 to make
$
Association of the Blind at Albany. “NABA has built a call
the NABA’s call-center dream a reality. The new facility
center training program for people who are blind giving
provides computer skills evaluation, computer training, job
them the skills necessary to obtain call center jobs in the
development and job placement services. NABA's goal is
community. This is a great opportunity for NABA and the
entire community of people we serve.”
Teaching Banking Basics to Newcomers
Writing a check or using a credit card is such an ordinary part
At First Niagara, we’re going out into communities
of most of our lives that it takes very little conscious thought.
across our regions to help people of all experience levels
But imagine that you’ve never had a checking account, a credit
improve their understanding and use of financial offerings
card or a loan. That’s the situation for many young people who
and opportunities. In 2015 we launched Financial Literacy
are establishing first jobs and independent households.
Matters, a comprehensive training program based on the
The scenario is compounded for immigrants, many of
them refugees who left their possessions behind as they fled
FDIC’s Money Smart curriculum.
Three different curricula are offered: one for small
violence with only their children and the few things they
business, one on basic financial and banking topics, and one
could carry. Imagine trying to find work, earn money and
geared especially to young adults. Each curriculum features
establish a home for your family – yet you are still learning
eight to 11 different presentations that run from one to two
English and you have never
hours and cover topics such as budgeting,
experienced the currency used
banking services, different forms of
here, much less things like debit
credit, financial decision making and even
cards and ATM machines.
identity theft.
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First Niagara
Celebrating and Supporting Bilingual Education
Buffalo’s Hispanic community has been actively involved
The Buffalo school district operates bilingual programs
for more than 50 years in advocating for educational equity
in five elementary schools and one high school. These
for their children. Much of this work has been accomplished
bilingual education programs provide instruction to students
through the Bilingual Community Advisory Board, which
in two languages – English and Spanish. They allow English
sought to establish a bilingual program that would teach
learners to continue to develop language and content skills
and maintain Spanish language and culture while students
in their home language while also learning English. English
learn English.
speakers are also afforded the opportunity to become
First Niagara pitched in last year, contributing 10,000
$
bilingual and biliterate.
to create the Ralph R. Hernandez Bilingual Education
Scholarship Fund in honor of the former Buffalo School Board
President. The fund will help create
enhanced educational opportunities
for Hispanic students, encouraging
bilingual students to continue their
education by attending an institute
of higher learning.
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Community
Development
Diversity
Sustainability
Awards
Neighborhood
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Sustainability
Conscious of our impact on the environment, First Niagara has grown our
recycling program and embarked on innovative ways to save energy and
reduce our carbon footprint. During 2015, we not only launched the largest
solar energy project of its kind in New York State, but provided financing to
customers who share our sustainable values and dreams. The following stories
demonstrate the great strides we’ve taken in a short period of time to build
sustainability into our business practices.
LIBRARY
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First Niagara
Building Solar Fields Across New York
With the goal of reducing our impact on the environment,
Monolith is now in the process of creating 85 solar systems
First Niagara began exploring the option of installing solar
containing 648 panels per system on 28 vacant parcels of
systems on the roofs of some of our larger facilities in
property stretching across the state for First Niagara’s benefit.
2013. With projected savings of as much as 250,000
Monolith is acquiring the land and building the solar fields
annually, we partnered with Monolith Solar Associates and
which, when completed in 2017, will feed all the electricity
began to implement the plan in early 2015.
generated directly into the power grid.
$
That’s when Monolith’s Key Account Manager, Tim Carr
For our part, First Niagara will purchase power from
suggested a modification to the plan. He explained that the
Monolith at 20 percent savings for the next 20 years. That
New York Public Service Commission had adopted a new
adds up to an average of $1.2 million in savings per year once
policy that allowed a shift from net metering to a remote net
the systems are fully implemented, with minimum estimated
metering program.
savings of $24 million over the course of the program.
Instead of solar panels
The benefits to First
attached to or adjacent
Niagara and
to a building providing
Monolith are
energy directly to the
matched by the
building, the solar
benefit to the
systems could now
environment. And
be placed on remote
since the solar fields
“host” sites. With
are often built in
the right locations in
rural locations on
terms of electricity
old, unused plots
load zones and
and farmlands, the
utility carriers, First
sale of the land is
Niagara locations
having a positive
across the state could
impact on those in the
be designated “satellite” sites and recipients of the
community as well.
energy credits. Another benefit of the remote solar fields
is that panels can be ground mounted and installed so
that maximum solar capture occurs.
2015 Community Report
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Sustainability
Taking Solar Energy Coast to Coast
From Maine to California, new solar installations will
Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Maine, New
generate 85 GWh of electricity each year through the work
Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Arizona and California.
of Greenskies Renewable Energy and the support of First
“First Niagara is continuing to build its expertise as a
Niagara. The latest $66 million financing package is the sixth
lender in the solar and renewable energy industry and took
round of financing Greenskies has completed with First
the time early on in the process to get to know our business
Niagara since 2012.
and our individual financial needs,” said Michael Sylvestrini,
The Connecticut-based company designs, builds and
President and Founder of Greenskies. “First Niagara has
maintains solar photovoltaic systems for corporations,
consistently provided us with financial packages that allow
municipalities and educational institutions. With these new
us the opportunity to continue to develop our unique
funds Greenskies plans to develop and install 127 solar
products and services within the expanding solar
arrays on commercial and municipal buildings in Connecticut,
and renewable energy industry.”
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First Niagara
Fueling the Growth in Renewable Energy
In 2014, with the goal of building a sustainable, high-efficiency,
The company is currently serving 15 new commercial and
low-emissions wood heating sector in New York state, Gov.
residential wood pellet-fired heating projects in the Mohawk
Andrew Cuomo launched the Renewable Heat NY initiative.
Valley and North Country, including municipal buildings,
Meanwhile in Mohawk Valley, a woman-owned family
retail businesses and homes. In addition to providing warmth
business – Vincent’s Heating
and comfort, these systems keep the heating dollars close
and Fuel Service – was poised
to home – allowing residents, businesses and communities
for great things.
to use locally produced wood pellets for heating in
With the help of a
state-of-the-art pellet boilers that are made in New York.
1.7 million grant from the
$
New York State Energy
Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) and
a $217,000 commercial real
estate mortgage from First
Niagara, Vincent’s has become
a leader in the green energy/
bioenergy field. Today it is
the only bulk pellet delivery
company in Central, Southern
and Northeastern New York.
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Sustainability
Connecting a Family Farm with a Solar Future
On a farm just 57 miles north of New York City, a 110 year old
reduce energy consumption or generate renewable energy.
farm house and outbuildings repurposed for artisanal cheese
First Niagara provided EIC with a $3 million line of capital to
making have gone 100 percent solar as part of New York
provide financing to property owners, $75,000 of which was
state’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) project. The
used to fund the solar installation project at the creamery.
53-kilowatt ground-mounted solar installation at the 5 Spoke
“We are excited to be able to deploy such deep sources
Creamery in Goshen was completed through the Energize NY
of project capital in partnership with First Niagara for energy
Finance program with funding from First Niagara.
improvement projects in our member municipalities,” said
The Energize NY Finance program through the Energy
Improvement Corporation (EIC) offers low-cost, long-term
financing up to the full cost of energy improvements that
Mark Thielking, EIC’s Executive Director.
Providing financing for projects that will help improve
the overall energy footprint of a home or business is
something First Niagara is proud to support
throughout our footprint.
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First Niagara
President’s
Letter
Regions
Serviced
Community
Development
Diversity
Sustainability
Awards
Neighborhood
Support
Awards &
Recognition
MONEY Magazine gave First Niagara the top spot among
Northeast Regional Banks in its Best Banks in America 20152016 ranking. The publication cites our Pinnacle Plus Checking,
emphasizing the wallet-friendly feature of allowing customers to
avoid fees when using ATMs in the United States and Canada.
First Niagara is the only financial institution headquartered in
New York to have made the list.
American Banker and Reputation Institute ranked First Niagara
Financial Group fourth among customers in an independent
survey of the largest U.S. banks’ reputations. First Niagara is also
one of only eight with “excellent” scores. First Niagara’s 2015
ranking is the highest of any headquartered in New York state for
the second year in a row. The company’s overall reputation score
from customers is especially notable, given that First Niagara is
the 27th largest, by assets, among the 32 retail banks evaluated.
The Philadelphia Business Journal presented First Niagara
with the 2015 Corporate Giving Award for Hands-on Initiatives
for our work with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Junior Achievement of Western New York recognized
First Niagara for outstanding financial and volunteer support.
At the 3rd annual NYS Broadband Summit and Awards
Ceremony, First Niagara was honored for our collaboration with
Computers for Children, an initiative that the organization says
has had a great impact on digital literacy.
NeighborWorks Rochester selected First Niagara as its 2014
partner of the year. The award comes as a result of the work
the two organizations have accomplished together over the
past year and the positive impact their efforts have made on
the community. Namely, First Niagara and NeighborWorks
have partnered to provide high-quality homeownership
education in the Rochester community and have helped local
families build their assets through home ownership.
First Niagara branch customers said they would be “likely
advocates” of First Niagara as a banking partner to their friends
and family. The ninety-two percent rating puts First Niagara
among top financial institutions with best-in-class customer
experience.
Ragan’s 2014 Employee Communications Awards, a national
competition that draws entries from Ford Motor Company,
Xerox, AT&T, MD Anderson Cancer Center, JPMorgan Chase,
MasterCard and other well-known companies, selected the
First Niagara internal website as a finalist.
Wells Fargo named First Niagara one of the four best banks
it works with in the sale of government loan securities (Ginnie
Mae). The ranking is based on quality and volume.
Hanover Insurance Group recognized First Niagara Risk
Management as the Western New York Regional Personal Lines
Carrier of the Year. This recognition is awarded to highlight
and celebrate the notable accomplishments and commitments
of top flight partners or emerging partners across New York.
Mass Mentoring awarded First Niagara Foundation with their
Ignite Award for outstanding innovation by a business in the
field of mentoring at their Corporate Mentoring Summit.
MENTOR, The National Mentoring Partnership, awarded
First Niagara Foundation with their Corporate Mentoring
Challenge award for our exceptional partnership in quality
youth mentoring at the National Summit in Washington DC.
2015 Community Report
|
45
President’s
Letter
Regions
Serviced
Community
Development
Diversity
Sustainability
Awards
Neighborhood
Support
Neighborhood
Support
First Niagara has a long and proud history of volunteering,
In 2015, our employees logged more than 57,000 hours
from serving on boards, to leading strategic planning efforts,
of volunteer service and thousands of additional hours went
mentoring young people, building homes for Habitat for
unreported but certainly appreciated and valued!
Humanity and collecting clothing or toys for those in need.
First Niagara has long been a supporter of the United
The First Niagara team is the first to step up to help others
Way. In recent years, to encourage support all employees gifts
in our communities. Each of our regions has a robust and
to the United Way have been matched on a 1:1 basis. This
dynamic cadre of individuals who spearhead our volunteer
year, the total donated was just over $800,000. These dollars
activities and make up our Employee Volunteer Councils,
went to 89 different United Way agencies throughout the
one in each region.
communities we serve.
With more than 150 leaders serving, they work hard
In 2015, First Niagara donated computers valued at more
to motivate, recruit and mentor our team all year long. In
than $750,000, and more than 25 tons of office equipment
addition, they coordinate jeans days when employees donate
and furniture to nonprofit organizations around the world.
$
5 in order to wear jeans to work and designate local charities
Recipients included Buffalo’s Computers for Children program,
to be the recipient of the gift. In 2015, our EVCs raised nearly
the Mission of Hope in Haiti and many others. In addition to
$
115,000 in regional Jeans Days and they were responsible for
helping our neighbors, we helped our planet by keeping
recruiting volunteers to support over 230 events throughout
15.56 tons from going into landfills.
the year. Additionally, the First Niagara teams can always be
seen out in the community on the United Way Day of Caring
and many other annual events across our footprint.
46
|
First Niagara
Total Giving for 2015
Corporate: $2,045,474
Foundation: $5,784,325
$
Total:
7,829,799
Total Foundation
Giving since 2009
$
42,634,845
1,205
total number
of nonprofit
partners
supported
Grants and Sponsorships fall
into the following categories:
36%
Youth & Education
20%
44%
Neighborhood
Revitalization
Quality of Life
Total Community
Development Loans
in 2015:
170 million
$
United Way Support
Employee Giving
401,978
$
Corporate Match:
430,000
$
Total:
831,978
$
Our team logged
over 57,000 hours of
volunteer service
232 events were supported with volunteers
and $113,200 was raised by our Employee
Volunteer Councils through jeans days and
other special events.
About First Niagara
First Niagara, through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A.,
is a multi-state community-oriented bank with approximately 390 branches,
40 billion in assets, $30 billion in deposits, and approximately 5,300 employees
$
providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across
New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For additional
information on First Niagara, visit us at www.firstniagara.com
About The First Niagara Foundation
The First Niagara Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable entity. Founded in 1998,
communities in which we live and work, with specific focus on Youth
Ne w En
gla
nd
the First Niagara Foundation is committed to supporting organizations in the
St. Lawrence
and Education, Community Development and Neighborhood
Revitalization. In 2015, the First Niagara Foundation contributed
Jefferson
New York
nearly $6 million in charitable grants to community partners
across the bank’s four-state footprint.
Rochester
Albany
Syracuse
Buffalo
Boston
West Springfield
Binghamton
Hartford
Manchester
New Haven
Nyack
Norwalk
Erie
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Allentown
Plymouth Meeting
Cleveland
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
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@FirstNiagara
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