Community Involvement Program

Highland Bank has grown within the communities we serve since 1943. As a member of an interdependent community, we believe that individuals and corporations are responsible for finding ways to improve the communities in which they do business. That is why we established our Community Involvement Program, with the goal to make our communities stronger by reciprocating the support given to the bank in the form of time, talent, and money, and to provide an example of charitable giving for other local businesses.

As a member of the MN Keystone Program since 2002, we commit to donate 2% of our pre-tax earnings annually to local non-profit organizations. These organizations should strive to develop integrity, accountability, responsibility, community growth, or strengthen families. We are proud to have been recognized as a 2018 MN Keystone Program Honored Company for our giving program and it’s contributions to our communities.

Charitable Giving

Grant Program

Highland Bank’s Community Involvement Program’s mission is to help make the communities in which we do business stronger by supporting the charitable organizations and those in need in our market areas.

Our Community Involvement Program (CIP) Steering Committee meets on a quarterly basis to review grant applications submitted by local non-profit 501(c)3 organizations for donation and sponsorship requests. The CIP Committee will give highest priority to organizations that promote the development of commerce, especially through program activities and scholarships. Additionally, high priority will be given to programs that support strengthening families.

Employee Match

Our employees are passionate about giving back to our community and many of them donate money on their own to causes they are passionate about. To support the philanthropy of our employees and invest in the causes that matter to them, we established an employee match program, matching dollar for dollar their donations to non-profit organizations.

United Way/Community Health Charities Campaigns

Highland Bank has been a strong supporter of the Greater Twin Cities United Way since 1994, and Creating Healthier Communities (CHC) since 2017. Both organizations unite donors with the most trusted charities in our community. Through our annual giving campaigns, we raise money and awareness for these organizations through donation drives, community outreach activities, and internal fundraising activities.

Volunteerism

We’re not afraid to get our hands dirty!

While financial support and partnership with many local charities is a big part of what we do, volunteering also helps our employees feel connected to the citizens they serve. As a result, employees are encouraged to volunteer on the clock during group volunteer events benefiting local charities. In the last few years, Highland Bank employees have dedicated their time to clean up the banks of the Mississippi with the Conservation Corps MN & Iowa, unpacking and sorting clothes for ARC Greater Twin Cities, serving food to children at the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery. In 2023 our employees took a day (pictured) to work with Emerge Mother’s Academy to package diapers, birthday kits, self-care kits, and weekend snack packs.