SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Community Bank, N.A. says it has donated $10,000 to the Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (WISE) Women’s Business Center at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University (SU).
WISE is a Women’s Business Center dedicated to empowering Central New York’s entrepreneurs in all stages of business through training programs, counseling, and connections.
The donation will directly support WISE’s Accelerate Financial Management program, a hands-on initiative that equips entrepreneurs with essential financial skills to build and sustain successful businesses. It covers topics like budgeting, cash flow, financial statements and profitability strategies, and the program ensures participants gain practical financial-management skills tailored to their needs, the bank said.
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Community Bank also notes that it made the donation in recognition of International Women’s Day, which is set for Saturday, March 8, per the Friday, March 7 announcement.
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize the importance of empowering women through financial literacy and economic opportunity,” Pam Brunet, director of community & corporate relations at Community Financial System Inc., said in the announcement. “Women make up a significant percentage of our workforce, and we are deeply committed to investing in initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for women in our communities.”
DeWitt–based Community Financial System (NYSE: CBU) is the parent company of Community Bank.
Community Financial also used its announcement to highlight the percentage of women who work in its companies. They include Community Financial System (71 percent overall and 51 percent corporate); Community Bank, N.A. (79 percent); Community Bank Wealth Management (46 percent); Benefit Plans Administration Services (BPAS)(59 percent); and OneGroup NY Inc. (72 percent).
“At WISE, we believe in the economic power of women entrepreneurs,” Meghan Florkowski, director of the WISE Women’s Business Center, said. “This generous donation from Community Bank will directly support our local business owners, providing the essential financial tools and resources they need to succeed. By working together, we are empowering women to strengthen their financial management skills and build more sustainable businesses, ultimately contributing to the growth and vitality of our community.”