The FirstBank Charitable Foundation (FBCF), formerly known as The Malvern Federal Charitable Foundation, was founded in 2008 with a clear mission to improve local communities by forming partnerships with charitable organizations. FBCF is dedicated to partnering with passionate nonprofit leaders and philanthropists to create lasting, positive change in communities.

Since its founding in 2008, the Foundation has donated nearly $1 million to organizations that share the mission of improving housing, education, and overall community well-being.

FBCF believes transformative community change requires more than just funding. Rather, it takes innovative collaboration between passionate nonprofit leaders, forward-thinking philanthropists, and locally embedded organizations that are deeply committed to the communities they serve.

“FBCF operates outside the constraints of standard corporate philanthropy models,” said Karen Walter, SVP of Community Development. “Our independent structure allows us to focus solely on maximizing positive impact through creative, mission-driven partnerships.”

FBCF leverages its resources in unique ways to elevate its partners’ vital efforts and catalyze cross-sector collaboration.

“As a foundation with deep roots in the local communities we serve, we have an opportunity to convene ambitious philanthropists and nonprofit leaders,” said Pat L. Ryan, First Bank’s President-CEO and President of FBCF. “Together, we can push the boundaries of what a strategic partnership can achieve.”

This year, FBCF is launching several new initiatives fostering powerful synergies, including the following:

• Better Giving for Greater Impact Summit (May 9th at the Chester County History Center): This flagship event will bring together nonprofits, funders, philanthropists, and businesses to explore cutting-edge practices in cross-sector solutions. It will advance collaboration and community investment innovation.

• Professional Development Sponsorships: These sponsorships fund peer learning on key topics like fundraising, measurement, governance, and sector trends. Together, we can share knowledge to strengthen our collective capabilities.

FirstBank Charitable Foundation’s quarterly board meetings rigorously evaluate funding proposals aligned with the key criteria of furthering its mission of bettering local communities and generating clear benefits for the populations it serves.

“Beyond grantmaking, we are committed to exploring innovative ways to support the transformative work of our partners,” said Walter. “With our deep roots in the communities we serve, we can mobilize valuable resources to drive enduring, community-level change.”

The FirstBank Charitable Foundation extends an invitation to nonprofits and philanthropists who align with its vision of fundamentally improving communities through powerful partnerships. The Foundation encourages exploration of FBCF’s unique opportunities, inviting all to join forces and maximize the collective impact in the places they call home.

Learn more about FirstBank Charitable Foundation and how First Bank remains committed to doing its part to help grow the economy and create value for shareholders and stakeholders with new branches, new markets, new products, and new technology all under consideration, we’re excited for the future. Currently, First Bank has approximately 286 employees and 26 locations throughout New Jersey in Burlington, Essex, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, and Somerset counties and Bucks, Chester, and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania, as well as an additional office in West Palm Beach, Florida.