An Interview with Shaunna Padgett at First National Bank of Michigan
First National Bank of Michigan (FNBM) is a truly local financial institution with a program that encourages its employees to engage in philanthropy through a corporate DAF, the First National Bank of Michigan Charitable Fund held at KZCF.
Shaunna Padgett, chief operating officer at FNBM, spoke with us about the inspiration behind the bank, its giving program and the ripple effects of empowered corporate philanthropy.
Investing in Kalamazoo
Founded in 2006 by two longtime bankers, Larry Lueth and John Schreuder, FNBM is the only locally-owned bank that’s headquartered in Kalamazoo, and it was created in response to a simple but powerful belief: local communities deserve local investment.
“In community banking, you don’t exist without your community,” said Padgett. “Your community has to thrive and grow, and investments have to be made in order for that to happen.”
With 80 employees and branches across southwest Michigan, FNBM has always encouraged its team to volunteer and support local causes, such as Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, Challenger Little League and many other staff favorites.
When they surveyed employees, the message came through loud and clear:
“Our employees craved meaningful work outside of the office. They wanted to contribute to the businesses and nonprofits that we support.”
— Shaunna Padgett, Chief Operating Officer, First National Bank of Michigan
That desire for purpose became the spark for something new.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
To turn their values into real impact, FNBM partnered with KZCF — a like-minded, locally-rooted organization that knows how to make philanthropy accessible for everyone.
Through KZCF, FNBM established their First National Bank of Michigan Charitable Fund, a corporate DAF designed to make giving simple, personal and powerful. KZCF gave the bank the structure and expertise to help employee generosity go further and put their guiding principles into action.
When an employee donates to a local nonprofit, they can simply submit the receipt to FNBM. The bank then matches the donation (up to $350 per employee each year) using money from their DAF at KZCF. Employees can give as much or as little as they are able, even in $5 increments.
The result? A simple, employee-guided system that empowers each person to be a philanthropist and doubles the impact of every gift.
In just 11 years, the First National Bank of Michigan Charitable Fund has become one of the most active among the hundreds managed by KZCF.
Community, Connection & Collective Impact
Padgett has seen the ripple effects firsthand. “Employee camaraderie is kind of an unspoken benefit of it all,” she said.
“Not only are we doing meaningful work outside of the office, but we’re engaging in a way that you don’t often experience when you’re sitting at your desk.”
— Shaunna Padgett, Chief Operating Officer, First National Bank of Michigan
The program has strengthened bonds across teams, deepened community engagement and inspired employees to see themselves as changemakers — a feeling to which Padgett can deeply attest.
“I came here for college, and I stayed because it’s the best big small town ever. That’s because of the philanthropic efforts of customers that bank with us, individuals in the community and the fact that people want to see the community thrive.”
