Philanthropic Giving
Through the Flagstar Foundation, we give back to those we serve by promoting workforce readiness, arts and culture, and financial capability.
Flagstar Foundation
The Flagstar Foundation looks to support charitable causes and provide grants to nonprofit organizations that align with our corporate philanthropy priorities within the communities we serve:
- Michigan
- Northern Indiana (primarily South Bend and Fort Wayne)
- Northern Wisconsin (Gillett, Marinette, Mountain, and Oconto Falls)
- California (High Desert of San Bernardino County)
The Foundation’s priorities are workforce readiness, arts and culture, and financial capability. The board places special emphasis to direct grant funding toward nonprofits that serve racial and ethnic groups, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, women, and veterans to ensure that we are supporting and promoting the bank’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Workforce Readiness
We support organizations preparing individuals with barriers to employment to earn a livable wage. Examples of programs we support are:
- Apprenticeship programs
- Skilled trades training
- STEM initiatives
- Literacy
- Small business development and counseling
Arts and Culture
We support organizations addressing cultural diversity for individuals from underserved communities to discover and develop their creative abilities. Examples of programs we support are:
- Visual, musical, and performing arts organizations
- Arts educational programs
- Community performances and exhibits
Financial Capability
We support organizations serving underserved low to moderate income individuals to build knowledge, well-being, security, and confidence. A program we currently support is:
- VITA tax preparation assistance
We also award board support, community involvement, and employee resource group directed grants ranging from $500 to $5,000.
In 2021, the Foundation continued its support of the Employee Assistance Fund. Established in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fund has provided nearly $242,250 in grants to 323 colleagues in need since its inception.
Flagstar Foundation 2021 contributions:
- $2.7 million total
- Average grant range $5,000 - $25,000
- 109 grants to nonprofits
- 55 grants totaling $201,500 to employee nonprofit board and volunteer activity
Flagstar Foundation total contributions since its founding in 2017:
- 534 grants totaling $8,054,255 to nonprofits
- 160 grants totaling $499,700 to employee nonprofit board and volunteer activity
- $1,020,610 in contributions from Flagstar employees
Learn more about the Flagstar Foundation, including ways you can help.
Employee Contributions and Fundraising Efforts
The Foundation prides itself on being a conduit between employees and the community. Part of our employee engagement commitment is to facilitate opportunities for our employees to financially support causes that are truly important to them.
In 2021, Flagstar employees raised $182,908 through employee contributions and fundraising campaigns. These contributions supported the Employee Assistance Fund, regional disaster relief, COVID-19 relief efforts in India, veteran support around the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the Oxford High School tragedy, which took place just a few miles from Flagstar’s headquarters. Additionally, several business units held a March Madness event to benefit the Foundation.
Employee Resource Group and DE&I Committee Directed Grants
Each of Flagstar’s nine Employee Resource Groups and three Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committees had the opportunity to present a $5,000 grant to a nonprofit organization that aligns with their focus. The groups were encouraged to make their selection based on three criteria:
- Urgent COVID-19 relief needs, such as personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies
- General program costs to maintain services for clientele
- Capacity-building initiatives to develop critical capabilities for sustainability
In 2021, 11 nonprofits received grants through this program. During their respective awareness months, the groups presented the grants to increase community connectivity and deepen impact in the areas most important to our employees.
Quotes from grant recipients
“Thanks to the generous support of the Flagstar Foundation, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is better able to offer needed, competent, and affordable immigration services to vulnerable and low-income immigrants throughout northeastern Indiana. We are proud to provide vital services to ensure that our local immigrants and refugees are able to access or maintain a legal work status, keep their families intact, and understand their rights as employees and residents.”
- Luz P. Ostrognai, Immigration Director, Catholic Charities Fort Wayne-South Bend, Fort Wayne, Indiana
“With support of Flagstar’s contribution to Family Service and Children’s Aid (FSCA), our commitment to creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment has begun, giving voice to our clients, staff, board, and the community. Thank you for helping FSCA begin to realize strategies and efforts that are more comprehensive and all-encompassing!"
- Dr. Bob Powell, CEO, Family Service and Children’s Aid, Jackson Michigan
“Gifts raised through this campaign and matched by the Flagstar Foundation will support more Native arts programs and services throughout the country, including the Poeh Cultural Center, which supports Tewa artists so that traditional Tewa art and cultural traditions are passed onto generations of Tewa youth. Their services are needed to bolster the resilience, identity, pride, and potential of Native youth.”
- Sarayl Y. Shunkamolah, Grants Development Officer, First Nations Development Institute, Longmont, Colorado
Community Partner Webinars
Beyond financial support, the Foundation aims to make information available to help our community partners better impact, care for, and engage with their clients and communities. The Foundation and Flagstar Office of Corporate Responsibility hosted two informative webinars about how nonprofit organizations can tap into financial resources.
American Rescue Plan Informational
Lourdes German, assistant professor at Boston College and special advisor to the president of the Lincoln Institute, provided insight on accessing resources from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This legislation, also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package or American Rescue Plan, provided $350 billion for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency.
Quotes from attendees
“Best one hour in a long time.”
- Jeannine Gant, CEO and President, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit
“Great meeting today, and what an amazing speaker with so much knowledge around a very confusing process.”
- John Davis-Piotrowski, CEO Action for Racial Equity Fellow-Flagstar Bank
“This reinforced that we are doing and what we need to with Oakland County/elected and influencers as we will be asking for funding for the behavioral health/care coordination areas of Affirmations.”
- John Joanette, Director of Development, Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center
CARES Act Tax Credits for You in 2022
Matt Hetherwick is director of Individual Tax Programs at the Accounting Aid Society, one of the country’s largest volunteer income tax assistance programs. Hetherwick explained how the CARES Act significantly expanded tax credits for workers and those who care for children, including what these tax credits are, who qualifies for them, and how to claim them.
“Providing information to nonprofits serving individuals with children regarding the Cares Act – Child Tax Credit is very important to fully benefit from this opportunity. And, I find it a privilege to share my knowledge via my role at Accounting Aid Society.”
- Matthew H. Hetherwick, Director, Individual Tax Programs
Nonprofit spotlights
Ruth Ellis Center
Detroit-based Ruth Ellis Center provides trauma-informed services for LGBTQ+ young people. Grant funding will support their Studio Art Therapy Model, a program that uses art therapy in individual and group settings to meet behavioral health needs. Through painting, drawing, and modeling, participants discover an outlet to express their experiences, feel a sense of community belonging, and improve their quality of life. The program is also an aid for diagnosing mental health issues for LGBTQ youth and young adults who are struggling.
St. Mary Medical Center Foundation
St. Mary Medical Center Foundation supports the needs of communities in California’s rural High Desert, where more than 40% of households fall below 200% of the federal poverty level. Their grant will fund work connecting graduating seniors and young adults to health-care career opportunities with livable wages and benefits. Some 300 participants will benefit from gaining access to a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions within a nonprofit hospital setting.
Indiana Veteran Initiative, Inc.
Indiana Veteran Initiative, Inc. (INvets) works to strengthen the Indiana workforce by connecting veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to employers. With their grant, INvets will build county-specific webpages on invets.org that showcase the quality of life, affordability, and key employers as well as local veteran resources and groups. Partnerships with local veteran service officers and other community leaders will make sure each page accurately reflects local support systems and events.
Our 2021 Foundation Grantees
Apple Valley Kiwanis Foundation-Kiwanis Club of Apple Valley
Cultural Arts Center of the High Desert
Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council
Happy Trails Children Foundation
High Desert Homeless Services, Inc.
Mojave Valley United Fund, Inc.
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
St. Mary Medical Center Foundation
Victor Valley College District Foundation, Inc.
Victor Valley Community Services Council
Victor Valley Domestic Violence, Inc.
Victorville Rotary Foundation, Inc.
Wrightwood Arts Center
Wrightwood Blues Society
First Nations Development Institute
JASMYN
Blue Jacket, Inc.
Catholic Charities Fort Wayne-South Bend
CARE Connect & Restore Community Outreach
Cultivate Food Rescue
Fort Wayne Civic Theatre
Fort Wayne Dance Collective, Inc.
Honeywell Foundation, Inc.
Indiana Black Expo-Fort Wayne
Indiana Veteran Initiative, Inc. (INvets)
Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana
Junior Achievement of South Bend
La Casa De Amistad
United Way of Allen County
YWCA Northeast Indiana, Inc.
Accounting Aid Society
Affirmations Lesbian Gay Community Center, Inc.
Anchor Initiative
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County, Inc.
Black Leaders Detroit
Cardboard Prophets
Cass Community Social Services, Inc.
Centro Multicultural La Familia
Chamber Music Society of Detroit
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Community Foundation of Zeeland/Holland Area
Detroit Cristo Rey High School, Inc.
Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation
Detroit Historical Society
Detroit Horse Power
Detroit Institute of Arts
Detroit Public Schools Foundation
Detroit Public Theatre
Dickinson County Salvation Army
Dutton Farm
Family Service and Children’s Aid
Forgotten Harvest
Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
Good Measure, Inc.
Great Lakes Recovery Centers, Inc.
Hillsdale CASA, Inc.
Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
HOPE Animal Shelter
InsideOut Literary Arts Project
Invest Detroit
ISAIC
Jackson Friendly Home
Jackson Interfaith Shelter
Jackson YMCA
Kadima Jewish Support Services for Adults with Mental Illness
Korean-American Women’s Association of Michigan
Lao Community Association of Holland
Latino Family Services
Living and Learning Enrichment Center
Local Initiatives Support Corporation Detroit Program
Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team
Macomb Food Program
Matrix Human Services
Mexicantown Community Development Corporation
Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation
Michigan Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy
Millennials Matter USA
MTU Fund- Parade of Nations and Multi-Cultural Festival
National American Arab Nurses Association
New Development Corporation
Nonprofit Enterprise at Work
Paint Creek Center for the Arts
Pioneer Medical Research Foundation Project Palav
Ruth Ellis Center, Inc.
Simple Kindness for Youth
SME Education Foundation
Soldier's Angels
Strategic Alliance Community Development Corporation
Superior Arts Youth Theatre
The Carr Center
The John George Home
The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
The Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum
Todd Martin Youth Leadership
Twelve Baskets Food Pantry
United Way Delta County
United Way of Dickinson County, Inc.
United Way of Jackson County
Virtual Dialysis Support Center, Inc.
Vista Maria
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
Winning Futures
YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit
Youth Solutions, Inc.
YouthWorks-Detroit
Bella’s Buddies Inc.
America's Charities
Beneath the Surface Foundation
The Rainbow House