August 15, 2025 – Partnership for Financial Equity is pleased to announce the return of our Elevating Equity awards, designed to recognize outstanding bank-community partnerships reaching low- to moderate-income households. Awards will be given in three categories – small business lending/support, mortgage lending/homeownership, and banking services/asset building.

Winning partnerships will receive a $1,000 cash reward and social media promotion through the end of 2025. We will announce the winners at our 4th annual Financial Equity Summit to be held on October 7th and 8th.

Last year, the inaugural Elevating Equity awards were given to the Cape & Islands Veterans Outreach Center (CIVOC) with Cape Cod 5 in the banking services category; Massachusetts Affordable Homeownership Alliance with M&T Bank for mortgage lending; and Boston Impact Initiative with Eastern Bank for small business lending.