CBAI established the Foundation for Community Banking in 1996 in furtherance of its mission to professionally serve and support member banks through every available channel, and to promote the community banking philosophy. The Foundation is also intended to increase public awareness of community banks and their contributions. 

 

The Foundation has established annual scholarships for high-school seniors to help deserving students further their educations. To fund these scholarships, A Key to the Future of Community Banking — a fund-raising campaign for the Foundation, was created. The initial campaign goal will endow the CBAI Foundation Scholarship Programs at their present.  

 

Scholarships are available for at-large Illinois high school seniors.  It costs the CBAI member bank nothing to sponsor these students.  Scholarships are also available for the children and grandchildren of community bankers and for part-time bank employees.  For detailed information on all of the Foundation’s scholarships, click on the Scholarships link. 

 

About the Foundation 

The Community Bankers Association of Illinois' CBAI Foundation for Community Banking provides funding for an Annual Scholarship Program for deserving Illinois high school seniors. With college tuition rising every year, these statewide scholarships have helped young adults to further their educations since 1987. Donations to the CBAI Foundation are totally tax-deductible and may be made over a period of years. 

 

Since its inception, the CBAI Annual Scholarship Program has distributed more than $130,000 to over 100 appreciative Illinois high school students. In the process, they have learned more about the important roles that community banks play in their lives. 

 

DONOR LEVELS 

Bronze     $ 2,500 — $ 4,999 

Silver        $ 5,000 — $ 9,999 

Gold          $10,000 — $24,999 

Platinum $25,000 or more