Liberty Bank Foundation recently announced that it is accepting nominations for its 23^rd annual Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Award. The application deadline is Monday, October 30, 2023.

Since 2001, Liberty Bank has presented its Community Diversity Award, named in honor of the late Willard M. McRae, to those who have made outstanding and ongoing contributions to promote and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in the communities served by the Bank.

This year, Liberty Bank and the Liberty Bank Foundation will recognize a nonprofit organization that is having a significant impact on achieving equity, social justice, or economic mobility for historically marginalized groups or economically disenfranchised individuals with a vision towards creating more vibrant and inclusive communities. The organization selected to receive the Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Award will be awarded a $10,000 donation from the Liberty Bank Foundation.

The 2022 Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Award winner was National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ).

“At Liberty, our mission is to improve the lives of our customers, teammates and communities for generations to come and we envision a future where there are no barriers to success. This includes raising awareness about diversity, equity and inclusion, as sources of strength in our communities,” stated David Glidden, Liberty Bank President and CEO. We are committed to supporting and honoring organizations that work to create a space where equal opportunities and equitable outcomes exist for all. Our annual Diversity Award is another way of we recognize those outstanding contributions.”

McRae is past chairman of the Liberty Bank Board of Directors, a founding member of the Liberty Bank Foundation Board of Directors, and a lifelong Middletown resident. He was known for his extraordinary commitment to equal access and opportunities for all, regardless of economic status, race, background, disability, or other factors. McRae’s contributions and commitment to providing equal opportunities for all positively impacted the areas of children’s mental health, education, and human services for thousands of people.

For evaluation criteria and eligibility requirements and to nominate an organization for Liberty Bank's 2023 Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Award, please complete an application by October 30.

2023 Willard M. McRae Community Diversity Award Criteria

Submit a Nomination

About Liberty Bank

Established in 1825, Liberty Bank is the oldest and largest independent mutual bank in the country. With more than $7 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, 2022 and 2023 Best-In-State Bank in Connecticut by Forbes Magazine.

Liberty Bank Foundation