Cornerstone Bank announced its donations in 2023 totaled $506,475, benefitting 169 organizations, events and services in Central Massachusetts.

“We have long supported initiatives important to our community, our team, and our customers,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “In 2023, we had another successful and meaningful year of giving back to the communities we serve, both in terms of financial support and time.”

A sampling of the donations Cornerstone made in 2023 includes:

• $50,000 for the Worcester Community Action Council home heating assistance program
• $36,483.60 (Cornerstone’s match of employee donations) for the United Way of South Central Massachusetts, supporting its vital community programs
• $25,000 to the Center of Hope Foundation in Southbridge—the first year of Cornerstone’s five-year total pledge of $125,000 to upgrade and expand the facilities
• $25,000 to support programs and services at the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, including The Achievers, Numbers in the Sun, LIVESTRONG and What’s for Dinner
• $25,000 to Our Bright Future Inc. in Southbridge, committed to empowering children and developing future leaders through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) initiatives
• $15,000 to UMass Memorial Health for its nutrition-focused “Food is Medicine” program, which aims to provide higher-risk patients with access to healthy food options
• $15,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & Metrowest to support the organization’s 60th Anniversary Big Celebration and its Golf Fore Kids event
• $12,500 to the EcoTarium in Worcester. This was the first of Cornerstone’s two-year pledge of $25,000 for construction of a traveling exhibit and redevelopment of its early learning play area
• $12,500 to the Bridge of Faith Youth Center in Southbridge. This was the first of Cornerstone’s two-year pledge of $25,000 to support the organization’s mission

Cornerstone also provided $40,000 in scholarships to 16 local high school seniors with plans to pursue studies in business and finance, and held community-engagement events such as its “Stuff the Bus” school supply drive benefitting the Planting the Seed Foundation of Worcester.

Throughout 2023, Cornerstone held 204 financial literacy programs, up from 114 in 2022, for children, teens, adults and seniors throughout the area, donating a total of 568 hours. Cornerstone Bank also offers employees a “volunteer day” benefit through which they can spend a paid workday volunteering for a local non-profit. In 2023, 73 employees participated for a total of 498 hours, working with groups such as the United Way, Relay for Life, Community Harvest Project, Jacob Edwards Library and Habitat for Humanity.

In September, Cornerstone Bank received the Corporate Citizen Award and was honored among the most charitable companies in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal. In April, the bank received the Community Award from the Planting the Seed Foundation, which recognized Cornerstone’s commitment to homeless children and their families.

Cornerstone Bank recently partnered with Gateways Academy, Inc., a small, private school in Shrewsbury, to support its small business program. In addition to donating a per-student stipend for materials, Cornerstone Bank’s Community Relations Manager, Nicole DiGregorio, along with employees from the finance, commercial, and marketing departments, provided weekly instruction to the students for business plan development and marketing.

“We gave each student $20 to create and sell a product at the school’s December 14 craft fair,” said DiGregorio. “I visited Gateways Academy once a week for 14 weeks, helping each student create a business plan that included a logo, tagline, target audience, budget, supplies list and product pricing. I loved seeing the confidence and excitement building in each student as they worked on their projects. We look forward to returning for more programs next school year.”

In addition to the business plan, DiGregorio taught the students about resources available to help support small businesses, conducted class-wide brainstorming, helped the students create advertising for the craft fair and worked with them on problem-solving skills. At the craft fair on December 14, students sold their products, raising over $1,200 that was donated back to the school for other programs.

“It is an honor for us to support innovative programs like this one at Gateways Academy and spark inspiration for future entrepreneurs,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “The school is one of 70 different local organizations we initiated or renewed partnerships with over the past year.”

Cornerstone Bank recently honored 21 employees who hit a landmark in their tenure in 2023. The Years of Service Awards were presented on December 6 in Sturbridge. Cornerstone employees are honored for every five years of service.

“The dedication of these 21 employees is inspiring,” said CEO of Cornerstone Bank Todd Tallman. “We work to foster a culture of growth and development within our institution, and it is a true testament when we see the longevity of some of our team members. I congratulate them for their years— and some for their decades—of loyalty and commitment to our customers.”

The following 21 employees were recognized at the event:

25 Years

• Heather Goguen
• Kyle Hill
• James Sandagato
• Todd Tallman        

20 Years

• Michael Sullivan

15 Years

• Jessica Johnson            

10 Years

• Scott Auen
• Daniel D’Amico
• Valerie Korzec
• Thomas Langmeyer
• Kerri Lee
• Maria Martinez
• Meredith Nordstrom
• Stacie Partlow           

5 Years

• Alexandria Dickson
• Andrea Fournier
• Brian Grady
• Tracey Jeffries
• Maria Salvatore
• Lisa Stone
• Julia Westwell

Cornerstone Bank has pledged $25,000 over two years to EcoTarium’s $10.5 million Third Century Capital Campaign – Phase III.

“As the only science and nature museum in Central Massachusetts, EcoTarium is a valuable community resource,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “It is our honor to make this pledge in support of the organization’s efforts to expand its facility and ensure it is here for generations to come.”

The funding from Cornerstone Bank will support the construction of a 6,000-square-foot, solar-powered traveling exhibit, and the redevelopment of the early learning play area into an Early Childhood Science Learning Center, including program expansion and an endowment dedicated to supporting children from birth to age eight and their families.

“We are grateful to Cornerstone Bank for its support of our work,” said EcoTarium President and CEO Noreen Johnson Smith. “As we approach the 200th anniversary of our organization in 2025, the completion of these projects will allow us to showcase the museum’s achievements over the years, and bring renewed awareness to our mission. We couldn’t accomplish this without dedicated community partners like Cornerstone Bank.”

Cornerstone Bank is committed to supporting causes that improve the quality of life for the residents of central Massachusetts. The bank frequently makes monetary donations and donations of goods or services to local schools, civic groups and church groups in the communities it serves.

Well-rooted in the Worcester community as the oldest organization dedicated to the study of science and nature, EcoTarium is a private, non-profit institution whose work continues to reflect the ideologies and vision adopted when it was founded almost 200 years ago.

Funds support the For One Child Foundation and The WellStorm, Inc.

Cornerstone Bank is sponsoring the Winter Wonderland Masquerade Gala with a $5,000 donation. The event, which will be held on Saturday, December 2, at 6 p.m. at 55 Pearl Street in Worcester, benefits The WellStorm (TWS) in Southbridge and the For One Child Foundation in Auburn. 

“Not only are we proud to support these two deserving organizations, but also to raise awareness for the valuable work they do,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “We hope others will join by attending and sponsoring this fun and creative opportunity to ‘glam up’ for a great cause.”

TWS aims to bridge the gap of poverty and engage the community in building connections and support for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health struggles and food insecurity. One way TWS does this is by supporting the community with the Bridge Fridge, which allows anyone in the community to access healthy food. The mission of the For One Child Foundation is to empower children by providing learning materials, educational technology and other classroom necessities to deprived schoolchildren, in order to holistically enhance their lives and allow for a better future.

The Winter Wonderland Masquerade Gala will include awards highlighting the work of each organization’s staff, volunteers and supporters, as well as raffles, silent auctions, food, drinks, music and dancing. Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased online at bit.ly/3S8biEg.

Cornerstone Bank today announced it has received the Community Award from the Planting the Seed Foundation. The award recognizes Cornerstone’s commitment to homeless children and their families.

“Planting the Seed Foundation’s commitment to improving the lives of families in need throughout our community grows bigger every year,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “It is our privilege to proudly support them with our Stuff the Bus and toy drive campaigns, and it is a tremendous honor to receive the Community Award.”

Planting the Seed Foundation gives out two Community Awards each year—one to a single person and the other to a community sponsor. Cornerstone Bank’s receipt of the award this year recognizes the company’s support of Planting the Seed with their donations from the annual school supply drive (backpacks, pencils, lunchboxes, etc.) and last year’s holiday toy drive.

Cornerstone Bank has committed $25,000 to the Bridge of Faith Youth Center in Southbridge as part of the organization’s “Bridging the Gap” campaign. The funds—$12,500 in 2023 and $12,500 in 2024—support the organization’s mission to provide youth with essential social, academic and spiritual development in a safe, supervised atmosphere.

“We are honored to sponsor the Bridging the Gap campaign in its development of the future home of the Bridge of Faith Youth Center,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “The work this organization is doing to support youth and families in the community is truly astounding.”

The funds will be used to renovate a historical building in Southbridge to include tutoring and conference rooms, audio and video recording studios, the youth center office and a game room. The Center is working to restore arts and entertainment in Southbridge, as well as provide ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, job search assistance and job readiness training to local parents.

“We are grateful for Cornerstone’s support of our campaign,” said Esteban Carrasco Jr, President, Bridge of Faith Youth Center. “Our team has been working hard as our goals are ambitious, and we cannot wait to make our dreams for our organization become reality.”

Cornerstone Bank is committed to supporting causes that improve the quality of life for the residents of central Massachusetts. The bank frequently makes monetary donations and donations of goods or services to local schools, civic groups and church groups in the communities it serves.

To support the Bridging the Gap campaign, visit bridgeoffaithyouthcenter.org.

Cornerstone Bank has donated $5,000 to the Spencer Exchange Club and will be the lead sponsor of the 2023 Fall Food Fest on Saturday, November 4, at the Spencer Country Inn.

“We’ve proudly supported this event since its first year and it is always a huge success,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “This year’s event is raising money for the local youth basketball court that was damaged in a recent fire. It is our honor to help support this effort that will benefit the youth of Spencer.”

Throughout the years, the Exchange Club of Spencer has been responsible for community improvements of all types, such as the beautification of town parks, the Town Hall clock restoration, children’s play spaces, Memorial Day flags and Spencer Little League Association refreshment booth.

Leicester resident helped build a commercial banking team and empowered people to explore their dreams

Cornerstone Bank announced the upcoming retirement of Executive Vice President, Senior Commercial Officer Michael J. Quink of Leicester. In his time at Cornerstone Bank, Quink received multiple elite sales and leadership awards and is credited with helping to build the Cornerstone commercial banking team into what it is today.

“It has been a privilege to work with Mike and watch him build what we believe is the best commercial banking team in Worcester County,” said Todd Tallman, CEO of Cornerstone Bank. “We thank Mike for his valuable contributions and leadership, specifically his ability to listen to clients, meet them where they are and find the right solutions for them. We wish him the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.”

Quink began his banking career over 40 years ago and has spent the last 13 years at Cornerstone Bank. He has loved every step of the journey, especially the time spent with people he has met, learned from, helped, and been helped by. He has always been enthusiastic and engaged, devising new ways to inspire and empower people to go out and explore their dreams, hopes and wishes.  

“In my 43 years in banking, the work I am most proud of isn’t the sales and leadership awards I’ve won; it’s the people – my colleagues as well as our customers,” said Quink. “You’re only as good as the people around you and I have been fortunate to be surrounded by some of the best. We’ve grown together because we never deviate from company culture – we work together vs. apart. And, while I will miss this work and all the people immensely, I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends and enjoying the great outdoors.”