How River Region businesses are strengthening their communities—one partnership at a time.
In the River Region, giving back isn’t just a PR move— it’s embedded in the foundations of many local businesses. From real estate firms and financial institutions to creative agencies and public offices, corporate giving here is less about obligation and more about impact.
We talked to a few standout local organizations to understand what motivates their giving, how they structure their programs and how others can follow suit. Here are the top 10 things we learned:
1. Giving back is more than just an initiative.
- “Supporting our communities isn’t just a part of what we do—it’s at the heart of who we are. We’re committed to making a positive impact in every area we serve.” — Marilyn Hawkins, ASE Credit Union
- “Giving back is part of how we do business and a way for us to show gratitude for the trust our communities place in us.”— Gene Crane, River Bank & Trust
2. Local focus creates local impact.
- “Supporting local causes and contributing our expertise to community organizations isn’t just good business—it’s an investment in places we’re proud to call home.” — Cindy Scott, Jackson Thornton
- “Supporting the community strengthens the trust between our office and the people we serve.”— LaToya C. Barker, Montgomery County Probate Court
3. Employee passion often drives where support goes.
- “If a Stamp team member serves on a nonprofit board, we back that effort—sometimes with time, sometimes in-kind and occasionally with financial support.”— Beth Bushman, Stamp Idea Group
- “Causes are chosen based on employee passion, community need and alignment with our values. Our commitment includes routinely rotating our support for various nonprofits in the River Region.”— Cristy Andrews, Warren Averett
4. Structured programs help maintain consistency and impact.
- “We launched The Ripple Effect, a service-based company initiative that will allow us to host larger outreach events each quarter.”— Jessica Powell, New Waters Realty
- “Our internal Stamp Culture Club is a group of employees that leads company-wide giving initiatives, and the Stamp team regularly volunteers time and talent.”— Beth Bushman, Stamp Idea Group
5. Company incentives help promote efforts.
- “When someone gives at the fair share level, we thank them with a paid day off. We also offer paid volunteer time so our bankers can spend part of their workday helping at United Way agencies and other local nonprofits.”— Gene Crane, River Bank & Trust
- “Through the What A Difference A Day Makes volunteer program, our associates have the opportunity to take one paid day off each year to make life better by volunteering with community organizations to give back right here in the River Region.”— Robert Birmingham, Regions Bank
6. Public offices are getting creative with community engagement.
“One of our favorite and most impactful initiatives is the Montgomery County Probate Court’s Annual Back to School Event. We provide free school supplies, backpacks and resources to children and families across the County.” — LaToya C. Barker, Montgomery County Probate Court
7. Professional expertise can be a powerful donation.
- “We developed the RISE Up brand from the ground up, from logo design to website and outreach materials. It’s a full-circle example of how we show up—using our skills, time and resources to back causes that truly matter to our team and our community.”— Beth Bushman, Stamp Idea Group
- “As financial professionals, we’ve tailored our Community Engagement strategy to focus on three key pillars we believe we’re most qualified to address: Economic and Community Development, Education and Workforce Readiness and Financial Wellness.”— Robert Birmingham, Regions Bank
8. Education and financial literacy are key priorities.
“Every month, our associates provide in-person financial education classes to students in the Montgomery Public Schools System covering important money management topics.”— Robert Birmingham, Regions Bank
9. Giving strengthens internal culture.
- “Giving back reinforces that we’re not just asking others to support this cause—we’re invested ourselves. It shows integrity and sincerity in everything we do.” Carol Gunter, Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama
- “We work with our Young Professionals group to maximize participation and encourage our newer team members to get involved in the community from the start of their careers.”— Cristy Andrews, Warren Averett
10. Small acts add up and lead to big outcomes.
- “New Waters Realty launched the 250 Club, an initiative that donates $250 to Pike Road Schools every time a new home closes in The Waters community. To date, the 250 Club has contributed over $20,000.”— Jessica Powell, New Waters Realty
- “When we celebrated our 100th anniversary in 2019, we set out to perform 100 acts of service throughout that year. We ended up doing well over 150 acts of service.”— Cindy Scott, Jackson Thornton
