Madison kids, arts organizations get boost from bank

Northwestern Financial Review, Apr 15-Apr 30, 2005

Notes, news and views on community banking

First Business Charitable Foundation, the giving arm of the holding company for Madison, Wis.-based First Business Bank, recently committed $50,000 to two area non-profits in the midst of expansion.

Half the money is earmarked for the Boys & Girls Club of Madison, which has a new facility under construction in one of the most troubled neighborhoods of the city. "The building is being well received by the community," said Corey Chambas, president and chief operating officer of First Business Financial. "But once that's in place, the group will need programming. We wanted to make sure there are dollars available to facilitate programs and activities that will be beneficial to the youth of that neighborhood."

Another new building under construction in Madison is the new arts center with space to house various theater and dance groups. The problem for those groups, Chambas explained, is that with new facilities come increased rents. The other half of the foundation's gift will go into the Great Performance Fund of Madison, a $13.6 million matching grant program set up by Madison resident and founder of the American Girl phenomenon, Pleasant Rowland. "These funds will help the organizations that will use that new arts space continue to operate," Chambas said.