Bank of the West Celebrates Outstanding Denver Area Nonprofit Organizations at Annual Philanthropy Awards

Winners demonstrate innovation and serve the community through microfinance, culinary job training, and teen family support programs

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bank of the West today announced the Denver area winners of its first annual Philanthropy Awards for Colorado that recognize the leadership of individuals and nonprofit organizations advancing innovative solutions and contributing to progress in their communities.

“The outstanding leaders at each of these organizations are bringing hope and opportunity to many people. We’re really pleased that we can support programs and organizations that strengthen the economic fabric of our community and contribute to our neighbors’ well being”

“These organizations are making a difference every day in our communities by tackling some of our most pressing problems. We’re glad we can give something back to them by recognizing their work. These community leaders set great examples that are inspirational for all of us,” said Michael Robinson, head of Bank of the West's Rocky Mountain Division, which is based in Denver.

“The outstanding leaders at each of these organizations are bringing hope and opportunity to many people. We’re really pleased that we can support programs and organizations that strengthen the economic fabric of our community and contribute to our neighbors’ well being,” said Carolyn Paul, senior vice president and Denver-based regional manager for Bank of the West’s Wealth Management Group.

The organizations recognized in each award category are:

Bank of the West Innovation in Philanthropy Award for a creative emerging nonprofit organization or program
	•	Laureate:  Rocky Mountain Microfinance Institute, www.rmmfi.org
		The Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute (RMMFI) provides learning, lending, and coaching to grow community entrepreneurs who build businesses to advance along the pathway to self-sufficiency and self-worth.
	•	Finalists: Carson J Spencer Foundation (suicide prevention), www.carsonjspencer.org; Revision International (community-driven food systems), www.revisioninternational.org
Community Impact Award honoring the philanthropic efforts of a bank customer
	•	Laureate: Work Options for Women, www.workoptions.org
		Work Options for Women helps help low-income women break the cycle of poverty through its culinary training program, case management and job placement in the food service industry.
	•	Finalists: Community Resources & Housing Development Corporation (sustainable and affordable housing), www.crhdc.org; International Center For Appropriate and Sustainable Technology (job training), www.icastusa.org
Team Member Commitment Award recognizing an organization in which a Bank of the West employee plays a leadership role
	•	Laureate: Florence Crittenton Services of Colorado, www.FloCritCo.org
		Florence Crittenton Services empowers struggling teen families to be productive members of the community by offering a spectrum of wraparound services for the entire teen family.
	•	Finalists: Colorado Enterprise Fund (small business financing and support), www.coloradoenterprisefund.org; Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Denver affiliate (breast cancer advocacy and education), www.komendenver.org

The top award recipient in each category received a $15,000 cash grant and a video produced by Bank of the West profiling their organization's work, which they will be able to use to promote their philanthropic efforts. In addition, the two finalists in each category were given $5,000 cash grants.

Visit the bank’s Community Affairs page http://bit.ly/mI1FeH for more information on the awards program or its Facebook page (http://on.fb.me/kM2JeW) for a highlights video and background on the Denver area winners.

Bank of the West's Wealth Management Group and Community Affairs created the Philanthropy Awards program in 2010 to recognize outstanding examples of organizations and individuals who are making a difference in their communities. This is the first year the Bank hosted its Bank of the West Philanthropy Awards for Colorado, which recognized nonprofit organizations in the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. Nominations for the Innovation in Philanthropy Award were submitted by the public, and candidates for the Community Impact and Team member Commitment Awards were submitted by Bank of the West employees.

The Philanthropy Awards program represents one component of the bank's dedication to utilizing its financial and human resources to improve its communities. Bank of the West also engages in local sponsorships, employee giving, charitable investments and nonprofit relationships throughout its diverse footprint. The bank has more than 175,000 customers and 90 branches in Colorado and is a proud sponsor of University of Colorado athletics.

About Bank of the West:

Based in San Francisco, $58 billion-asset Bank of the West offers a full range of business, corporate, personal, trust and international banking services and operates more than 700 branch locations and commercial banking offices in 19 Western and Midwestern states. Founded on a commitment to relationship banking, the Bank's Wealth Management Group provides banking, wealth planning, insurance and investment services to high net worth individuals. Bank of the West's holding company, BancWest Corporation, is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, among the six strongest banks in the world, according to Standard & Poor's. More information at www.bankofthewest.com.