David W. Glidden, President and CEO of Middletown-based Liberty Bank, announced that the Liberty Bank Foundation Board of Directors approved a $25,000 grant to support the National Conference for Community Justice (NCCJ). NCCJ is a human relations organization, promoting inclusion and acceptance. The funding from the Bank’s Foundation will support NCCJ’s new Equity Leadership Alliance, launching in Connecticut and Massachusetts. 

Founded in 1927 as the National Coalition of Christians and Jews and headquartered in Middletown, Connecticut, NCCJ provides education and advocacy while building communities that are respectful and just for all. Since the 1990’s, when their name was officially changed, NCCJ’s work has included all issues of social justice including race, class, gender equity, sexual orientation and the rights of people with different abilities. This expanded outlook better reflects the breadth and depth of the NCCJ mission.

The Equity Leadership Alliance, supported by the $25,000 grant from Liberty Bank Foundation, directly supports the roles and responsibilities of leaders upholding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) throughout corporations, nonprofit organizations, and education systems.

“Since 1825, Liberty Bank has been dedicated to promoting the long-term success and well-being of our communities. A key driver is working with partners to create more inclusive communities and offer resources to help people of all backgrounds and situations,” said David W. Glidden, Liberty Bank President and CEO and President of the Liberty Bank Foundation. “We are thrilled to keep delivering on our mission – to improve the lives of our customers, teammates and communities for generations to come – by helping the NCCJ advance their work. In order for our communities to thrive, it’s essential that we invest in meaningful opportunities like the Equity Leadership Alliance that will allow us to build stronger DEI connections and be a catalyst for change.”

Today, NCCJ is a leader in the DEI space. The growing diversity of America and the need to generate more inclusive communities remains their focal point. Their new Alliance was established to create a professional cohort of DEI practitioners who continue to grow equity within their organizations and communities.

“We are grateful to have Liberty Bank Foundation as a partner of our Equity Leadership Alliance as we build upon our sound track record for engaging community members and delivering quality programming,” said Monique Lorenzo, NCCJ President and CEO. “Through the grant funding, our team will offer guidance, development and professional learning to the private and public sector leaders of the Alliance. Together, this network will support, share and cultivate resources and best practices for navigating DEI in the workplace as well as our communities.”

To learn more about NCCJ and their opportunities to engage in social justice, please visit: www.nccj.org.

About Liberty Bank

Established in 1825, Liberty Bank is one of the oldest and largest mutual banks in the country. With more than $7.4 billion in assets, Liberty has 56 banking offices across Connecticut and one in Massachusetts. As a full-service financial institution, Liberty offers consumer and commercial banking, cash management, home mortgages, business loans, insurance and investment services. Named ‘Top Workplace’ by the Hartford Courant every year since 2012 and designated a 2021 and 2022 Best-In-State Bank in Connecticut by Forbes Magazine, Liberty maintains a longstanding commitment to superior personal service and unparalleled community involvement. Liberty Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

About the Liberty Bank Foundation

Since its inception in 1997, the Liberty Bank Foundation has awarded over $15 million in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Liberty Bank’s market area. The Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for people of low or moderate income by investing principally in three areas:  education for economic success; affordable housing; and nonprofit capacity building.