ICBA Foundation Provides $180,000 in Disaster Relief for Hurricane-Affected Communities

Washington, D.C. (Jan. 07, 2025) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) Foundation Disaster Relief Program today announced it has collected and disbursed $180,000 to assist community banks and their employees affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton, including a $25,000 matching contribution from ICBA.

“Natural disasters can wreak havoc on local communities, and we are incredibly thankful for the tremendous support for the community bankers and their families who were affected by Hurricane Helene,” North Carolina Bankers Association President and CEO Peter Gwaltney said. “With the help of the ICBA Foundation, contributions from across the country underscore the values of community banking and highlight the community-first togetherness our institutions practice every day.”

“This partnership with the ICBA Foundation gives our community bank colleagues and the communities they serve renewed hope in the face of destruction, and we are immensely grateful for the generosity pouring in from all corners,” said Independent Banks of South Carolina Executive Director Teresa Taylor.

Of the ICBA Foundation assistance spanning the impacted region, ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said: “ICBA, our member banks, and our partner organizations across the country are committed to helping those affected by last year’s devastating natural disasters. Community banks play a vital role in supporting the areas they serve, especially during times of crisis. We are proud to contribute to the efforts of friends and neighbors, helping Main Streets and neighborhoods restore what has been lost.”

Organizations receiving financial support include:

Florida

• Feeding Tampa Bay

• Gulf Coast Community Foundation

• The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc.

• Sunrise of Pasco County Inc.

• Taylor County Chamber of Commerce

Georgia

• Remarkable Foundation

• The Coffee County Food Bank

• Golden Harvest Food Bank

North Carolina

• The NCBA Hurricane Relief Fund

South Carolina

• The South Carolina Baptist Convention’s Disaster Relief Fund

Virginia

• The Smyth Country Community Foundation

• Damascus Strong Direct Fund

The ICBA Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund requested tax-deductible donations to assist community bankers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, with support coming from individuals, organizations, and community banks. The ICBA Foundation does not use any collected funds to administer this program.

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.

As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.

About ICBA Foundation Disaster Relief Program

The ICBA Foundation Disaster Relief Program supports ICBA-affiliated state associations, ICBA Federal Delegates, and—in states where neither are present—ICBA leadership bankers in fundraising when areas of their state have been affected by presidentially declared or state governor-declared disasters.

In coordination with the affiliated state association and ICBA Federal Delegate or other ICBA leadership banker in the state, funds are collected and disbursed for the express purpose of assisting affected community banks and community bank employees. The ICBA Foundation does not use any of the funds collected to pay the costs of administering this program.